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DSU combines technologies for distance education

             Dakota State University has combined two innovative technologies and utilized them for the delivery of distance education course work. The technological advancement allows for the projecting of a Smartboard over the South Dakota V-Tel system. “It could revolutionize the way that distance education courses are delivered,” said Tom Farrell, assistant professor of Business and Information Systems. “To my knowledge, what we’re doing has not been duplicated.”

            It was thought that the two technologies were not compatible, but Brad Bell, a computer support associate at Dakota State, worked on the concept day and night for three days to get it working. The Smartboard is a giant touch screen that uses a projected image from the computer. DSU has taken that technology and sent it over the V-Tel system that is being used for state-wide delivery of distance education courses. Every school in the state has a DDN (Digital Dakota Network) system that can utilize this technology.

Bell says using the Smartboard as a tool with V-Tel is unique. “The uniqueness of it is that it integrates the V-Tel and Smartboard technologies,” stressed Bell. “It enables the professor to give an interactive presentation from the whiteboard instead of being tied to a computer podium.” Bell had support from people at SMART Technologies, which had to rebuild the Smartboard driver. “What we’re doing doesn’t exist,” said Bell. “Essentially we’re taking an old technology (Smartboard) and building it into the video conference capabilities.”

            Using the Smartboard over the VTel system offers many advantages for both students and educators. By integrating the two technologies it puts the professor back in view for distance education students. “We no longer have to be tied up behind the computer, this returns us to the board,” said Farrell. “It puts the faculty member back into their comfort zone. Instead of trying to operate several items at once, we can do it all at the Smartboard.”

            For students, note taking is made easier as the entire process can be saved and put on the web for future use. Students can in turn pay more attention to the professor and not worry if he/she will be able to write down all the notes.

            If you would like to contact SMART Technologies email them at info@smarttech.com