CONTENTS

1.Introduction

2.The new centres

3.Services
4.Interactive Lectures
5.Lecture Theatres
6.Theatre design
7.ISO Standards
8.Design Consultants
9.Refurbishments
10.Future proofing
11.Mobile equipment
12.OHPs
13.Communication
14.Faculty technicians
15.Staffing
16.Room bookings
17.Skill levels
18.AV School
19.Trainees
20.Representation
21.Advertising
22.Presentation skills
23.Equipment database
Appendices

Case Studies

2 What Will the New Centres Look Like!

2.1 Despite what we are told, new technology will and does absorb an inordinate amount of time and effort. This will be highlighted when multimedia programmes need to be compiled from scratch. Generally Academic Staff will not have the time or expertise to design and compile the wide range of disparate resource materials required for these programmes. They may consider that they should be able to achieve a reasonable result but at what cost in terms of the time spent trying to learn Director or the any of the other authoring software that is available. Combine this with an overriding need to have a coherent and well structured product, leads me to believe that the amateur route will fail. Generally Academic Staff do not have the necessary skills to produce even a TV programme, multimedia is no exception, and it is more complex due to multipathway considerations within its structure. Any multimedia programme must be on a par with commercially available material, if not, it will fail. Clients and students will expect our educational software to be among the best, we cannot afford to be sub standard. Far better to leave it to specialists with academic staff having an editorial role so that they can keep the project within specific guidelines.

2.2 Major developments in the field of continuing education are well underway in the UK with a green paper having been published recently. Heavy emphasis is given to working with the immediate community surrounding our Universities. Distance learning will, I feel, play a large part in targeting the unemployed and ethnic minorities and other educationally disadvantaged groups. Home delivered learning could play a vital role in the regeneration of East London.

2.3 With this in mind, we will be exploring the possibilities of working with the local cable provider to produce home delivered training packages. This is only at the very earliest stages of discussion but I feel sufficiently optimistic to include it here as encouragement to others.

2.4 The structure envisaged (see below) is a broad brush view of the concept but it embodies the vital elements that would be required to deliver the new services. Not all of these posts will necessarily be college appointments with many services being sub contracted, but suffice to say that a substantial investment in the infrastructure will be essential to ensure success.

2.5 Learning Resources.

This will be a new section within MSU that will coordinate all other elements of MSU's activity and hence will perform a pivotal role in the new unit. Its main function will be production of multimedia programmes and other teaching resource materials. It will be led by a learning resources officer, LRO.

2.6 Audio Visual & Video Production.

This section will undertake all day to day duties related to teaching and external conferences. In addition, it will undertake video production under the direction of the Learning Resources Officer. AV technicians will be seconded to departments and Faculties and act as representatives for MSU. They will be in a prime position to promote new services and products as they become available. It will become more production orientated as multimedia grows which will require a constant feed of video images.

2.7 Photography and Digital Imaging.

There will be closer working relationships forged between AV and Photography and will become more apparent as technology develops. This will mostly revolve around digital images and transfer of analogue taped images being transferred to slide or OHP materials. AV technicians will be constantly updated as new services are introduced so that they can advise departments as described above.

2.8 Presentation Skills.

These courses will utilise most sections of MSU, requests for service will be directed through the LRO for developing the course into stimulating multimedia presentations together with traditional visuals.(see section 22)

2.9 Electronic servicing.

MSU spends a significant amount of its budget on spares and repairs to its increasingly complicated equipment cache. To improve the service we provide, it is essential that an in house service is provided to keep equipment in top condition. Fast turn round of broken equipment is vital as reserves are limited, especially data projectors and computer equipment.

2.10 This service, although primarily to support MSU, should also provide support to the entire college. This would cover all computer and peripherals together with research equipment repairs. It could also be developed into a prototyping section that would also underpin the electronics requirements of academic departments.