Ripon College Days

High tech. Junior Mike Treder works in one of the college's many computer labs. [Click to enlarge]

A few years ago the extent of Ripon's smart classrooms was limited to East Hall Little Theatre. Today, technologically equipped classrooms are found in nearly every building on campus, and the demand for them keeps growing.

"Not that long ago it was simply the math and science departments in need of technology in the classrooms. Now it's needed in all kinds of courses: the social sciences, art history, and so on," says Registrar Michele Wittler.

According to Academic Technology Coordinator Tammy Thiem, there are approximately ten smart classrooms spread throughout the campus.

The most recent installment of smart classroom technology was made possible by a grant from CenturyTel, which added technology components to Todd Wehr 204 and Farr Hall 331.

"Smart classrooms was kind of a buzzword four or five years ago, but it just kind of stuck. So that's pretty much what people on campus use for any classroom that has a computer in it," says Thiem.

More specifically, Ripon's smart classrooms typically include a computer, a VCR/DVD combination and an ELMO projection system.

"They've been very well-received by faculty and students, too. It lets the faculty bring a lot more different media types into the classroom," says Thiem.

As faculty become accustomed to these technologies and as Ripon attempts to keep up with the technology utilized at other institutions, demand for these spaces has continued to grow.

This can result in scheduling difficulties in the Office of the Registrar.

"I try to help create the best teaching and learning experience for the pedagogy of that course," says Wittler.

To help, Director of Information Technology Services Ron Haefner hopes to add two or three smart classrooms this summer.

Equipping classrooms with such technology carries a cost ranging from $11,000 to $15,000, Haefner says. Therefore, the college will continue to equip classrooms as funds become available or are raised externally.

"We try to identify technology needs and opportunities on the campus, and where there are outside funding sources who are interested in technology we try to match them up," says Dave Minor, director of corporate and foundation relations.

Funding limitations aside, other obstacles exist.

"Some of the buildings have power issues and we couldn't put all that equipment in. For example, West Hall just doesn't have enough power to equip those rooms, so we have to stick to the other buildings," says Thiem.

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