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Fall 2004 A newsletter for business, educators and students in the telecommunications industry |
The National Center for Telecommunications Technologies (NCTT) has received an NSF grant to develop and produce twenty laboratory videos based upon laboratory exercises from its five new Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) textbooks. Faculty and students will be able to utilize the videos in conjunction with laboratories in a variety of ways. The videos will serve as enhancements to the texts as well as allow for customization by end users as stand-alone products. The videos will be delivered in a variety of formats including CDs, DVDs and streaming video via nctt.org. Along with the laboratory videos, two additional videos will be produced - one focusing on student recruitment into ICT programs and a second promoting NCTT for the purpose of recruiting new institutional partners.
The videos will run approximately eight to ten minutes and will cover the areas of Photonics, Networking and Wireless Communications. First on the list of experiments to be filmed is "Refraction and Snell's Law" then "Measuring the Numerical Aperture of Optical Fiber." Scripting is nearly done at the time of this publication, with filming scheduled to start in early December, 2004.
Research on teaching and learning suggests that flexible curricula; presenting content in a variety of formats, best addresses the diversity of learning styles found among students of widely varying backgrounds. The laboratory videos offer visual, graphic, textual and audio presentation of content that is followed by demonstration. Learning is further enhanced by enabling students to view the videos at their own pace. Students may replay, as often as necessary, those sections that focus on content specific to their learning needs. The videos will also be applicable to distance learning formats, which is a persistent challenge in the delivery of laboratory based STEM courses. The videos will be tested as part of a blended learning design whereby students are introduced to laboratory exercises prior to completing them on campus.
In continuing with the principles of Universal Design, all videos will be enhanced by closed captioning, voice narration and talking menus. Spanish language versions will be produced that will be broadly applicable throughout the United States. Universal Design concepts are being widely used by NCTT and STCC in many of its STEM based courses to ensure the accessibility of all materials for all students.
The Center is very excited to be working with the NSF, STCC and Pellet Productions in a collaborative manner to develop these valuable video laboratories. Pellet Productions has been specializing in the production of film, video, web and multi-media based works for several years from the Boston area. Pellet founder Anthony Manupelli and his Co-Producer Pamela Lipton have had many years of experience in the field, including work with Public Broadcasting's WGBH in Boston on such series as Nova, Zoom and other educational programming. Mr. Manupelli has also produced the Pathways to Technology Series, highlighting community college success stories in emerging technologies.
Please stay up-to-date with the production schedule of this important learning series at nctt.org.
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NCTT held its annual Curriculum Workshop on the campus of Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) July 12th through the 15th. The four-day workshop entitled “Fitting it all together…” encompassed a number of topics and programs. These programs included a keynote session, three separate technology-driven, hands-on technical tracks (wireless, photonics, and networking), a grant development track, and sessions about the NCTT structure and how institutions could collaborate and partner with NCTT. This workshop hosted 34 faculty members from 26 educational institutions around the country – some from as far as Hawaii. Many saw it as a unique opportunity for faculty and others interested in Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) to learn about the latest in the field and share ideas with one another. |
The grant writing portion of the workshop was new to the workshop and was a collaborative effort between Steve Budd, Assistant VP Grants & Development, STCC, and Laura Qaissaunee, Director of Grants & Institutional Development, Brookdale Community College, NJ. The workshop was a 1 ½ day informational seminar followed by a panel discussion focusing on administering grant funded projects. Topics covered in the seminar included:
NCTT invited several guest speakers from industry and academia to present on a wide range of topics, including:
The overall impression of the workshop from the participants was very positive. Some of the comments about the material presented over the four days include:
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The workshop was well run, well attended and focused on the ICT industry. The participants were excited that they received valuable information that they will use in their classrooms. Mark your calendars and save the week of July 11th of 2005 for next year’s workshop.
Appendix
Businesses represented at the workshop:
Educational Institutions represented at the workshop:
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NCTT is very pleased to announce the addition of the Community College of Southern Nevada (CCSN) to its Regional Partner Network. With exceptional faculty and facilities available in an urban environment with traditional and unique information and communications technology needs, CCSN will be a valuable addition.
The CCSN is the largest higher education institution in the State of Nevada with 34,000 students, comprising 67% of the community college students statewide. It is the fastest growing and third largest, multi-campus community college in the nation. CCSN, as the largest of four community colleges, and with its comprehensive list of technology-based programs, is the accepted leader in information and telecommunications technology education in Nevada.
Warren Hioki, Associate Dean of Information Technology and Telecommunications will be the NCTT project manager for CCSN. A celebrity in the field, Warren has vast industry and teaching experience and is the author of the textbook Telecommunications used in over 100 higher education institutions across the country. Diane Pannell, Interim Dean of Information Technology and Telecommunications and Joseph Miller, Department Chair of Engineering Technology will work with Dean Hioki. To develop the NCTT partnership, the department includes 30 teaching faculty members.
In the Fall of 2004, CCSN completed its $25 million Information Technology and Telecommunications Building housing all Engineering Technology programs, including Cisco Networking Academies, Telecommunications, Computing and Information Technology Department programs and all Media Technologies programs. The influential building is expected to establish further the leadership of CCSN as a Regional Center of Excellence for Information Technology and Telecommunications education.
The CCSN Information Technology and Telecommunications Division has many established industry and regional academic institutional partnerships. In cooperation with Sprint and Cisco Systems both nationally and locally, CCSN has the only fully operational telecommunications technology training laboratory in a community college in the State of Nevada. Other companies partnering with CCSN for the development of curriculum, faculty and resources and providing employment for graduates include Bechtel Nevada, Nevada Power, Cox Communications, MGM Mirage Resorts, International Gaming Technology, Verizon Wireless, Red Rock Communications, and TIMET.
For more information on the NCTT Regional Partnership Network, please go to:
http://www.nctt.org/pages/about/partner_faq.php
Recently added in October of 2004, Lake Land College (LLC) in Mattoon, Illinois, is the newest NCTT Regional Partner. LLC is the second largest community college district in the State of Illinois comprising of 15 counties and 34 K-12 school districts in the rural, east-central part of the state.
Lake Land College currently has two classrooms dedicated to telecommunications programs. LLC also has an extensive range of equipment associated with telephony as well as networking. The infrastructure construction equipment available for training purposes at LLC, such as a utility pole setting truck and a 2000 foot pole route for aerial training, add unique value to the NCTT Regional Partner Network.
The main source of equipment and supplies for the Telecommunications programs has come from LLC. Limited resources of the institution demonstrating the value of local business partnerships. Consolidated Communications, Inc., a telephone company, and LLC have worked out an agreement which allows LLC to request supplies for use in training exercises and in return LLC provides Consolidated with free or discounted training. A "running total" of the cost of supplies used and monies saved on training are maintained by both parties. This alliance has also generated an Apprentice program with the union (Local 734) and Consolidated, in which the apprentices spend part of their training at LLC and part on the job at Consolidated. This program is slated to begin in the Fall of 2005.
Kris Kersey, the NCTT project manager at LLC is Lake Land's Telecommunications Coordinator and instructor. He serves as a member of the Illinois Occupations Skill Standards Credentialing Council and he holds industry certifications in Net+, CCNA and Nortel DMS10 Switching.
For more information on the NCTT Regional Partnership Network, please go to:
http://www.nctt.org/pages/about/partner_faq.php
Peter Saflund, was the associate director of the NWCET (National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies) at Bellevue Community College in Washington State. From 1998 to 2004 Peter helped shape the direction of the Center and brought many of its achievements into reality. He brings his considerable knowledge and experience in technology and workforce development to NCTT as the Center's new Regional Partner Consultant. Peter's principal areas of expertise also include proposal preparation and grant writing, technology program development and assessment, developing and monetizing business/education partnerships, and external project evaluation.
Peter is a graduate of Monroe Community College, which he credits for inkling his lifelong passion for community colleges. He also holds a Bachelor of Science from Southern Illinois University, a Masters Degree from City University, and completed all but dissertation toward a Ed. Doctorate at Oregon State University.
Peter's career spans 35 years as technician, engineer, business owner, teacher, dean, CIO, publisher, producer, researcher, speaker, instructional designer and technology expert. NCTT welcomes Peter's range of expertise to help the Center realize the potential of the Regional Partner Network. Some of his previous efforts include:
Major contributions to the field:
For more information please visit: http://www.saflund.org.
City College of San Francisco (CCSF) presents some interesting challenges to an IT manager. CCSF is a college system with 12 campuses within the city, serving over 100,000 full and part-time students, and approximately 2,000 faculty members and 1,000 staff people, all of whom are vying for network bandwidth and computer resources. The Information Technology environment among the campuses is thick with 5,000 desktop computers, 200 switches and routers, wireless LANs for both staff and students, an Alcatel Voice over IP system, video conferencing, 45Mbps internet access and 3Mbps inter-campus connectivity.
The diverse environment of CCSF and distance between its campuses prompted a feasibility study completed in 2002 aimed at finding out how to increase connectivity across the institution. The major goals of the Metro Area Network Initiative were determined to be:
Photosis Consulting was hired as an optical networking consultant in 2003 to help the college meet the above goals. It was decided at that time that the infrastructure would utilize the core technologies of gigabit ethernet along with xWDM multiplexing to maximize the potential of existing systems. The next step was to explicitly document the existing San Francisco commercial fiber plant. After issuing a commercial RFP for fiber installation and leasing, it was determined that a municipal partnership was the preferred method for implementing the solution.
The extensive fiber routing and technical criteria were established next while $3.5 million in funding was approved by the college's Board of Trustees. Next the partnership contracts with the City and County of San Francisco were finalized. This was done through the instrumental Department of Telecommunications and Information Services (DTIS). This municipal partnership was a result in part of the CENIC "Gigabit or Bust" Initiative launched in 2003. The Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC) is a non-profit corporation serving the University of California system, California State Universities, California Community Colleges, California Institute of Technology, the University of Southern California, Stanford University and the statewide K-12 system.
There are many active applications and benefits associated with the metropolitan area fiber network now in place. Transport internet access is available to and from the CENIC communications hub. Internal voice-over-IP telephone traffic is carried between campuses. Close working relationships have been established with San Francisco State University for distance learning. Video-on-demand services are available in classrooms. Bandwidth for online courses and existing labs has been greatly increased. The network is a scalable system maintainable by the existing engineering staff and available skill sets at the college. And last but not least is the significant cost savings versus using leased services of about $1 million over the next 20 years.
City College has also been able to expand its services and community involvement as a result of implementing the network with the city. Metro-area connectivity is provided to local non-profit organizations. Test environments for communications equipment vendors are available. The college directly enhances student education by being able to provide a hands-on learning environment with dedicated fiber strands for experimentation and testing. This has really been a win-win relationship for both City College and the City of San Francisco.
Equipment used in the network:
For more information, please email Tim Ryan at: tryan@ccsf.edu.
Before the start of the Spring 2005 semester, NCTT will be rolling out a completely re-designed website. The two biggest improvements will be an updated navigation scheme and better content search capabilities. All pages will have drop-down style menus to maximize content space. The website search will be powered by Google's Public Search Service®.
Beyond the basic functionality updates, the new NCTT.org will also have a member's section to access reserved content. Because this is a pilot release of this section of the website, usage will determine how it will expand. Members will also receive the NCTT newsletter and periodic notices of upcoming Center activities. Regional Partners will also have access to the NCTT Content Development Library - a separate interactive component of the NCTT website.
As NCTT moves into the role of a curriculum development collaboration facilitator and ICT clearinghouse, the website has to grow and adapt to the new information needs of its users. There will be much more "take-away" content for use in the classroom by faculty, or by students for extra study. This will include not only faculty presentations, but also a variety of multi-media content. A high volume of valuable content requires a high degree of organization. NCTT is exploring several software components at the time of this publication to help best organize and increase the functionality of the website. As in all past version of NCTT.org, strict guidelines of Universal Design will be incorporated to ensure that all material is as accessible as possible to the widest variety of users.
Feedback and suggestions are always welcomed by the websmaster. Please send in your comments.
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 This material is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number DUE 0302548. |
Copyright August 2004 STCC Foundation Press All rights reserved. E-Mail the Webmaster with your comments. |
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