Visiting the Center for Learning and Technology (CLT) in the library last Thursday was definitely an interesting experience. I have always known it was there, because I walk by it when I visit the media collections the library has, but I've never actually stopped to see what's actually available there. As far as my own personal needs are concerned, I don't think that all of the amazing (and don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to say everything offered at the CLT isn't incredible) resources at the CLT will actually be helpful to me academically. The majority of the classes I plan on taking at Trinity are in the sciences, which generally don't require technologically involved projects. However, I do think that the Studios@CLT have potential for me, even if not so much for academic purposes. The computers in the Studios have full Adobe software, which includes Photoshop, which I can definitely see myself using in order to enhance the many pictures I take, especially after travelling (which I love to do!). They also have scanners, which I can also imagine using for similar purposes. The coolest thing about the Studios, though, is that they have the capability to transfer video or DVD footage to the computer! From there, the footage can even be edited using either Sony or iMovie (depending on whether the laptop is a Windows or a Mac). After being edited, the footage can be burned to a DVD. The computers also allow you to burn movies onto a DVD straight from a camcorder if you don't want to edit it. Maybe that's all pretty commonplace, but to someone like me who is incredibly technologically impaired, it's amazing!
Something else I found really interesting throughout the CLT was the rules for when students do and don't need permission to use something. The Media Presentation Lab, which has a projection screen that movies can be shown on, as well as a smartboard and laptop hookups, can be used by students without explicit permission or registration, as long as the room isn't already occupied. This is cool, because a room with those capabilities could be a great resource in studying for an exam. In order to check out a video camera, digital camera or tape recorder, however, a student either has to have explicit permission from a professor for use in a class, or need it for their Federal Work Study. While this is logical (if only a limited amount of students can use them, fewer cameras and recorders need to be purchased, and with fewer students using them, it is easier to keep track of them and make sure they aren't stolen), I find it a bit disappointing. Many students who aren't necceasarily taking the right class might be interested in film making, and could very well have great ideas, but if they can't borrow a video camera, no one will ever know what kind of a talent they have.
Overall, I found the CLT to be a very interesting and useful place, although I personally don't see myself going there all too often over the next 3 years. It's nice to know, though, that if I needed to use something there, I would know how to go about getting access to it, and that I would know what's there for me to use.
Something else I found really interesting throughout the CLT was the rules for when students do and don't need permission to use something. The Media Presentation Lab, which has a projection screen that movies can be shown on, as well as a smartboard and laptop hookups, can be used by students without explicit permission or registration, as long as the room isn't already occupied. This is cool, because a room with those capabilities could be a great resource in studying for an exam. In order to check out a video camera, digital camera or tape recorder, however, a student either has to have explicit permission from a professor for use in a class, or need it for their Federal Work Study. While this is logical (if only a limited amount of students can use them, fewer cameras and recorders need to be purchased, and with fewer students using them, it is easier to keep track of them and make sure they aren't stolen), I find it a bit disappointing. Many students who aren't necceasarily taking the right class might be interested in film making, and could very well have great ideas, but if they can't borrow a video camera, no one will ever know what kind of a talent they have.
Overall, I found the CLT to be a very interesting and useful place, although I personally don't see myself going there all too often over the next 3 years. It's nice to know, though, that if I needed to use something there, I would know how to go about getting access to it, and that I would know what's there for me to use.
2 comments:
Very nice blog entry!
Interesting perspective, Marlies - thanks!
Ms. Belisle
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