Computing upgrades include multimedia facets

In an effort to upgrade school technology this summer, the College replaced 88 of the 1200 public terminals on campus and installed new classroom technology in two lecture halls in King.

According to Director of Computing John Bucher, the 88 computers were purchased at a cost of $2500 each.

Included in the computer terminal purchase were 37 new Power Macintosh 8600/200s in the Houck Computing Center, 19 in Mudd's Macintosh Classroom and 19 in Stevenson Dining Hall's Biggs Lounge. Computers at least three years old were replaced with these newer models, which offer enhanced multimedia capabilities such as sound, video signals and high-tech graphic features.

"The new computers are much more powerful than the old ones, and their multimedia capabilities really meet the needs of some of the classes taught in the art, science and psychology departments," Bucher said.

In accordance with the College's policy of saving usable technology, most of the old computers were moved to the Conservatory, the Registrar's Office and the Computing Center lobby.

"Now instead of using really old computers, they'll just be using old computers," said Bucher.

Computing staff plan to upgrade Windows Macintoshes within the next year.

Other summer innovations included the creation of OCTET, The Oberlin Center for Technologically Enhanced Teaching.

Funded by a $350,000 grant from the Andrew N. Mellon Foundation, OCTET seeks "to encourage and support faculty in their efforts to integrate computers and related new media" into their teaching curricula, according to a pamphlet distributed to faculty in August.

"We are trying to make it easier for faculty, especially those with no training, to use computer materials," Associate Professor of History and OCTET Director Gary Kornblith said.

"We're very serious about educational technology and making it readily accessible," Dean of the College Clayton Koppes said.

OCTET's immediate goals include the development of an Expository Writing on-line site at which students can write and edit collaboratively and the distribution of course syllabi on-line. The OCTET technology available now in King includes a podium that houses the controls of the room's lights, sound and audio-visual systems in one user friendly unit.

Workshops for students and faculty with limited computer experience are also on the OCTET agenda, along with public demonstrations regarding new available technology.

"Only 10 percent of Oberlin's faculty regularly used educational technology in their teaching. We hope to increase this number to 25 percent by the end of the three year project," Kornblith said.

High-Tech: The podium in King 306 has new technological capacities. (photo by Zach Fried)

Great new computers: Students enjoy the upgraded Mac facilities in Mudd and other public terminals. (photo by John Partridge)