the freezer (approximately 50% of the
water frozen into microcrystalline ice)
The Faculty Multimedia Center (FMC) in the Center for Academic Computing is a place where Penn State faculty can access multimedia applications and equipment. Faculty can use these tools to enhance instruction in ways not possible with the static standbys of the traditional classroom like the chalkboard and overhead projector.
Dr. Marilynne W. Stout, manager, Education Technology Services, explains the significance of integrating multimedia in instruction: "Multimedia can enhance learning when used to illustrate, demonstrate, verify, support, simulate, model, analyze or synthesize concepts." She notes that one advantage of multimedia is that it can "assist those students whose dominant learning style prevents the processing of lecture delivered content." The potential that multimedia instruction offers learners, Dr. Stout concludes, is "student discovery, exploration, repetition and overall engagement with the learning process."
The FMC was established to bring faculty together with multimedia resources. Kim Winck, manager of the FMC, explains that the center exists "to help break down barriers faculty may experience in accessing multimedia technology," and "to help orient instructors with the multimedia tools appropriate to accomplishing their goals." Knowledgeable consultants are available to help make faculty comfortable using multimedia tools. FMC consultants can address faculty questions about video and image editing, and help explain multimedia terms. Consultants can also demonstrate FMC multimedia software and hardware and can help faculty who want to develop on-line or digital course material, define their needs.
|
|
| Stage 2 Ripening of Ice Cyrstal Nuclei |
|
| Stage 3 Ice Cream ready to draw from the freezer (approximately 50% of the water frozen into microcrystalline ice) |
Empowering faculty is one of the FMC's predominant goals. Professor Jerry Maddox, School of Visual Art, one of the FMC's initial clients, credits the center with being key to his acquisition of computing skills. At the FMC, Professor Maddox became initiated in the use of "slide scanners and authoring software. That knowledge and information" he says, "prepared the way for me to teach on-line."
Dr. Robert Roberts, associate professor of Food Science at Penn State, used multimedia in Food Science 410 and the Penn State Ice Cream Short Course to render an important course concept more vivid and accessible. Since it is not possible to observe the process of ice cream freezingit takes place inside a closed containerDr. Roberts contacted the FMC to help him create an animation which would illustrate how ice crystals develop and ripen in the barrel of the freezer.
Since its completion in November, the animation has been used "in a small seminar conducted for employees of Ben and Jerry's and once with the 2000 Ice Cream Short Course," says Dr. Roberts. He remarks that "the animation was well received and was a tremendous asset to me when trying to explain what happens inside the barrel of the freezer."
Faculty can access a host of multimedia options at the FMC. They can scan slides, negatives and photographs, convert media such as video or audio cassettes to computer files and manipulate the files using editing applications like Adobe Premiere and Avid Cinema. They can learn how to use authoring software to create interactive learning projects using editing software like Macromedia Dreamweaver or QuickTime VR Authoring Studio. New technology is constantly being tested and evaluated for use in the FMC, so it is a good idea to check with consultants regarding the availability of specific applications.
Faculty and Teaching Assistants are encouraged to
take advantage of FMC services. The FMC is located in 226
Computer Building, and is open for appointments Monday,
Wednesday, and Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To schedule
an appointment or a meeting with consultants, please call
863-7051 or e-mail fmc@psu.edu. Visit the FMC on-line at
http://cac.psu.edu/fmc/ to learn more about its services.
