Using the same ‘multi-touch’ technology popularized by the iPhone, Microsoft engineers have been developing what they call ‘surface computing.’ This video [popularmechanics.com] shows off what features your coffee table’s been missing.
Category: Technology
Student Portal Live!
The first release of the new Student Information System (SIS) launched today at 8:00 a.m.
All features of this release are accessed through university portal, and there are aspects that impact faculty and staff as well as students. If you don’t have Faculty/Admin or Student access, you may not be able to see these features. I encourage you to find a student and ask them to let you watch over their shoulder while they click through. (But be sure to cover your eyes when they enter their password! 
http://mypack.ncsu.edu/
Highlights include:
1. The launch of the new Student Portal. Any person who is enrolled as a student will see a For Students” tab once they log into the portal. Within this tab is a default view of a number of sections called pagelets. You will see Student Affairs departments, programs, activities and services throughout.
We spent a great deal of time talking to students and Division staff to develop the content and organization that you currently see. Obviously this will be an ever-changing website and we’ll continue to adjust as needed. If you have feedback, please send that to me.
2. Faculty and Staff/Administrative Access. You can now find these services through the portal.
3. Admissions information. While some information will still be available through RUMBA, most all Admissions information can now be found through the portal for those who have that access.
4. Student Information. The usual PackTracks info (class schedules, grades, personal information) and Student Financial info (Cashier’s Office info) are now accessed ONLY through the new portal.
For more detailed information, see:
http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/sis/communication/enews_0807.htm
FYI, there are several other major modules within the new SIS that will launch over the next 18-24 months, including Financial Aid, Housing, Records, Advising and more. I’ll continue to post updates.
University of Minnesota: Tech Surveys
The folks at the University of Minnesota have published results from technology surveys they conducted. They regularly survey both thestudent and faculty populations at that institution, and the results from the 2007 student survey are now available. (My recollection is that they survey faculty recently as well, but those results aren’t up yet.)
A few highlights below; keep in mind that U of Minn has been identified by NC State as a peer institution.
1. Students are experienced in their use of technology, but not sophisticated.
2. Students print a lot.
3. Students strongly support use of significant levels of technology in the classroom.
4. Gender differences exist.
NC State collects some data on this front, but not comprehensively and from this perspective. There are data collection efforts through ITD, the Instructional Services unit in DELTA, LITRE, and FCTL. It would be great to see more collaboration, which may actually be happening through the LITRE assessment group.