This upcoming fall 2022 semester, students can expect vast improvements to technology services here on campus to improve the quality of classroom life.
Andrew Besmer, an associate professor of computer science here at Winthrop, helps with the technology staff committee and is very excited for the improvements to be implemented. One of the things Besmer has been working on for the campus is ways they can improve remote learning, especially because the current pandemic has changed the way students have been able to go to class.
“You know, during the pandemic, everybody put technology, including us, into classrooms to try to help make it so that folks could go remote. But there was no playbook, right? I mean, nobody knew what to do,” Besmer said. “So, we’ve been able to find out what worked, what didn’t work, all that, and then figure out for the technology upgrades we’re doing, not where we want to be because people put X piece of technology in the classroom for COVID, but post COVID.”
Currently in the works in a vacated classroom in Kinard Hall is a showroom where tech can be placed and set up, where there will be upgrades made to turn it into a classroom used for remote learning. Professors will be able to teach lectures for students attending in person and those who choose to join through Zoom or a recorded lecture. These upgrades will ensure that those who choose to participate in remote learning will have the highest quality learning experience.
“Within the next few weeks, they’re going to be installing all the equipment and instructor stations. We’ve selected an instructor station for that room that is an accessible one, it moves up and down so that if somebody has accessibility needs, they can get in there,” Besmer said. “We also have cameras, microphones, assistive technology, and, to easily use the technology, we’ve got assistive listening devices for the room. So, if somebody needs to, or uses a device that can interoperate with those hearing systems, they’ll be able to pick that up.”
Audio on Zoom meetings have been known to go in and out, sometimes students have had trouble hearing professors, but with the upgrades, Besmer ensures the new advances will help with this issue.
“The room is equipped with a pendant that the instructor can wear which will help that person be able to hear what’s going on in the classroom,” Besmer said. “And it will also help with that room electric capture so that students who are on the Zoom call, or who are watching electric capture back that they’ll be able to actually hear what’s going on in the classroom without hearing all the rustling of papers and the negative artifacts that go along with it. So we’re excited to have that done.”
Students have also been dealing with issues related to Wi-Fi on campus. Emily Port, a senior digital information design student with a minor in Computer Science, on the technology committee at Winthrop, says that for the new Wi-Fi installations, students will have to wait for the next semester. Specifically, for students who reside in Phelps and Lee Wicker.
“The Wi-Fi upgrades to my knowledge, none of them have happened yet. But I know that they were delayed because they forgot they had to change the wiring throughout the building,” Emily said. “They’re going to change the wiring throughout the building, which they can’t really do while students are living there. So, unfortunately, they’re going to have to wait until May when everyone moves out to fix all the wiring. So, fingers crossed, there should be new Wi-Fi next year.”
The laptop loaner system is going to be a system where students who cannot afford a laptop can have one during the school year, and can eventually own it.
“We want a laptop requirement, so it’s not actually a loaner program. We would include it in your fees, so you’d have a $25 laptop fee every semester,” Emily said. “And that fee would eventually pay for your laptop, and you would buy out at the end for around $1. So that way you would leave Winthrop with a laptop, which is a good thing. It was a really cool plan. And if the university bought laptops in bulk, it lowers the price. So, it would be cheaper than if you went out on your own and just bought one. And if they’re technically owned by the university, then they have more abilities to help with it, like repairing. Whereas if you bring in your own personal laptop, there’s only so much they can do.”
