CLA Department of Information and Technology

Instructional Technology in CLA

Instructional technology is "a discipline devoted to techniques or ways to make learning more efficient" as defined by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology. CLA IT provides a comprehensive array of instructional technologies, ranging from smart classrooms and class capture to interactive classroom response systems.

Table of Contents

Blackboard Course Management System

Blackboard Course Management System is an interactive online technology that "integrat[es] engagement and assessment activities in a single comprehensive teaching and learning platform." Blackboard uses various tools to supplementand enhance the educational experience, including Blog, Wiki, and Podcast. Using Blackboard, students are able to access course documents, grades, and class announcements online.
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Smart Classrooms

Smart classrooms have a teacher's station equipped with the media necessary to allow the instructor to implement a variety of technologies into his or her lectures. The College of Liberal Arts IT Department is continually upgrading existing rooms to smart classrooms in order to provide students and faculty with the latest educational technology. Currently the percentage of smart rooms in CLA-owned buildings is approximately 70%, and all rooms seating over 28 in Anderson, Gladfelter, and Weiss Halls have fixed presentation and control systems. For more information on our smart classrooms, visit the Learning Spaces page.
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TUcapture

TUcapture is an innovative recording technology that allows students to listen to and even view lectures online. During each class, all audio and information displayed on the projector is digitally recorded and posted later that day on Blackboard.

TUcapture uses Apreso technology to capture and publish classroom lectures by recording and synchronizing a lecturer's voice with the visual contents presented. The instructor can then incorporate teaching aids into the lecture, such as PowerPoint slides, websites, applications, document camera, video, and audio files. Apreso then automatically creates a rich media version of the lecture, which is presented as web links that can then be viewed through any Web browser. The links can be sent directly to your email address or accessed through Blackboard.

To arrange for your class or event to be captured, please contact Cyril Ireland at 215-204-5934 or at cireland@temple.edu.
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Computer Classrooms

CLA manages 14 computer classrooms and labs on Main Campus. For more information on CLA-owned computer classrooms, including their locations and hours, please visit the Labs page.
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NetOp Classroom Control

NetOp School is an interactive classroom management software designed to connect an instructor’s computer with student computers in a networked classroom environment. NetOp School provides a variety of tools allowing the instructor to monitor or take control of student computers, broadcast to an individual or to the entire class, send messages, make recordings, transfer files, and more.

If you have any questions regarding NetOp software, please contact Lab support at the counter in drop-in lab AL 21.
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Videoconferencing

Videoconferencing is available in Weiss 642 using the Polycom PVX conferencing software application. Polycom PVX utilizes H.264 video technology and Polycom Siren™ 14 audio. The application supports most webcams and allows for one-on-one or one-on-many conference calls. If you are interested in reserving Weiss 642, please download this form (PDF).

Videoconferencing is also available in any smart classroom. Webex web conferencing is the preferred application, although we support Skype as well.
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TurningPoint Interactive "Clickers"

TurningPoint is a classroom performance system that enables instructors to obtain immediate feedback from their students. By using a response pad, also referred to as a "clicker," students can answer questions, respond to surveys, take opinion polls, and much more. Instructors can also use this technology to take attendance.

Students should visit Classroom Response Systems for more information on how to buy and register their own clicker.
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CLA Capture

Sanyo digital recorders are available for instructors to record class lectures, which can then be transferred to a PC to be podcasted on Blackboard making them easily accessible to students. Any full-time staff member is welcome to rent one by visiting the counter at the drop-in computer lab AL 21 in Anderson Hall.

You can find more information on the use of the recorders here (PDF).
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MDID Gallery

Madison Digital Image Database (MDID) is a system for managing digital media collections and integrating them into the teaching and learning process. The database is used by instructors to search, retrieve, organize and teach with digital images and image data.
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Instructional Support Center

The Instructional Support Center (ISC) is a faculty support center that provides consulting services, training, and access to state-of-the-art computer equipment for use by Temple faculty who are interested in incorporating technology into the teaching/learning process.
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Last updated Tuesday, March 8, 2011