Students who need help mastering the latest technology should look no further than the Student Technology Center (STC). Since opening its doors in Aug. 2005, the STC has been helping thousands of OU students develop the knowledge and skills to tackle technological challenges, big and small. Services are tailored to all skill levels, from ignoramus to extraordinaire, and can help students with a diverse range of tasks.
Brandon Bernier, director of the STC, wants students to know that the center is for everyone, regardless of academic major.
“We are truly focused on the integration of technology and academics,” said Bernier. “Students of all academic backgrounds use our services. From business majors, to arts and sciences majors, we offer something for everyone.”
According to Bernier, the STC has provided support in a wide range of student endeavors, from helping Music, Theatre and Dance majors edit videos of their performances, to helping accounting majors navigate the world of spreadsheets and databases. The STC has also helped education majors record and edit their student-teaching sessions.
“So far this year, we’ve had about 23,000 student visits, up 56 percent from last year at this time,” said Bernier, who credits enhanced outreach efforts for the dramatic rise in students coming to the STC. “We’ve really tried to raise awareness about the services available here.”
The STC offers students the opportunity to sit down for a one-on-one mentoring session with a staff member who will guide them in learning how to use various software applications, including Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, Photoshop Elements and multiple versions of Microsoft Office Suite. Students can schedule an appointment with an STC mentor or stop by during working hours to meet with an available staff member or mentor.
The STC provides onsite access to PC computers, Mac computers, color laser-printing, CD and DVD-burning, and photo scanners. In addition, students can check out equipment, including Tablet PCs, digital cameras, digital camcorders and tripods for varying time periods.
OU faculty members can visit the STC for help designing a custom workshop for their classes. Past custom workshops have included a graphics manipulation class using Photoshop for ATIB students and a Web design class using Dreamweaver for rhetoric students. A digital video class for political science students was developed last fall.
The STC is located on the lower level of the Oakland Center in Room 44. For more information, or to set up an appointment with a mentor, contact the STC at (248) 370-4832 or stc@oakland.edu.