Ray Wong

rwong@mtsu.edu

Dwight Brooks

Journalism and Mass Comm

Discipline specific equipment

Bragg 228, 270A, 270B, Media Convergence Classroom Lab

N/A

N/A

This co-sponsored proposal between the School of Journalism and College of Mass Communication is to fund specialized equipment and software used in information gathering. The creation of the Media Convergence Center and significant revisions to the School's curriculum addressing the changing technology needs of a multi-approach media requires this equipment. This technology that produces information for visual and audio outlets is essential for students so they are more than just familiar with industry standards and to give them the needed resources to succeed. Employers in journalism, visual communication, advertising, public relations, the recording industry and electronic media expect their future employees to produce publishable audio and visual packages upon employment. Therefore, training with the technology must take place in the classroom. The proposed equipment provides students with multimedia skills based not only in theory, but also in practice. It will enable us to produce qualified, employable graduates. The software requested replaces outdated software in three labs (some is at least two generations old) servicing 550 students a semester, brings labs to industry standards and provides critical software and printers for the Convergence Center classroom. The equipment is fundamental to our students developing the proficiencies and skills in today's multimedia environment.