Technology Access Fees Database

Jan Quarles

jquarles@mtsu.edu

Robert Spires

RATV

N/A

Bragg Mass Communication Room 167

Replacement of Existing Technology

The original computers in the EMJ lab, Room 127, have not been replaced since the opening of the Mass Communication building in 1992 and the only internal update was five years ago. Quite clearly, students need to work on more current systems. The APENPS system described is the standard in the industry and it is found in most local and national television newsrooms. Its placement in the room will allow faculty to use the system in teaching a convergence model of digital communication akin to that used at Tribune Interactive and WFLA/TBO/Tribune. Students in basic EMJ writing and production classes will use the standard APENPS system in an improved teaching environment (projector for teaching, adequate printers, etc.) and Digital Media Communication students will use APENPS and the additional software packages (writing, web authoring and development, video encoding) to develop converged media products. To complete the update, the request includes three necessary digital cameras and tripods for use in the news classes in the renovated digital environment.

This proposal requests funds for the renovation of the EMJ Electronic Newsroom (17 workstations) from its current antiquated state (10 year old computers) into an updated teaching lab for Digital Media Communication and Electronic Media Journalism. It also provides writing and production classes with the latest Associated Press subscription service. As news industries are moving increasingly to converged models, the Department needs to provide the proper learning environment for students , giving them tools and experiences leading or mirroring the job environments they will face on graduation. Creation of the new environment is especially important given the new aspects of critical thinking students working in new media must engage (multitasking, a new interactive grammar and non-linear thinking). The equipment and subscription service will affect more than 150 students a semester in five classes in the department. (News I, II and III, as well as Writing for Digital Media and Media and Messages).