News Story: IST Solutions Institute Recognized for Innovation
by Charles C. DuBois
Penn State's School of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) Solutions Institute has joined the ranks of units from MIT, Princeton, Yale, UCLA, Texas, and Michigan in being recognized for innovation by the New Media Consortium.
The IST Solutions Institute—the school's primary outreach arm—is one of only 50 organizations worldwide to be named a New Media Center this year. The Solutions Institute is now among a select group of units at 125 colleges, universities, and museums to be honored by the New Media Consortium over the 10 year history of the program.
"IST's mission is to develop leadership in the Digital Age and this honor is truly a mark of leadership," said Dean James B. Thomas. "I am very proud of what the Institute and its incredibly talented staff have achieved."
To become a New Media Center, the IST Solutions Institute had to demonstrate a commitment to "pushing the boundaries of teaching, learning, research or creative expression" and demonstrate that it was adept in the application of new technology.
Said Larry Johnson, president and CEO of the New Media Consortium, "The selection process was very competitive—we received the largest number of applications in our history, and the overall quality of those applications was just extraordinary.
"Even among a very strong field, it was quite clear that the IST Solutions Institute is a place where smart, creative people are devising innovative solutions to challenges we all face in teaching and learning," Johnson continued. "The dedication to excellence here is palpable, and students and faculty are the clear beneficiaries. This recognition is well deserved."
"From the beginning our team focused its efforts on improving teaching and learning by creatively using technology. This designation highlights the hard work and commitment to innovation that we all have at the Solutions Institute," said Cole Camplese, co-director of the Solutions Institute and director of education and training solutions.
Under Camplese's guidance, the Education and Training Solutions team in the Institute is responsible for developing Online IST, which over the past three years has furthered the education of more than 6,000 students. Offering eLearning versions of nearly all of the core courses in IST's undergraduate programs, Online IST is based on a custom instruction and development methodology developed by Camplese and his colleagues. The curriculum is supported by the Digital Design Document (D3), a custom, database-driven content management tool that facilitates the development of online learning materials.
Online IST serves not only Penn State students throughout the Commonwealth, but students at educational partners of the school. Special programs also have been developed in collaboration with IST's industry partners as well.
Working with Cole Camplese on IST's online learning initiatives are Keith D. Bailey, Kristin Z. Camplese, Amy Garbrick, Christopher Millet, Bill Rose, Bart Pursel, and Eric R. Zeisloft.
|
