By Eric Reikowski, media relations assistant
Amid today’s daunting economic challenges, Oakland University has gone to great lengths to ensure its students have access to training services that will prepare them for life in an increasingly knowledge-based economy. The Student Technology Center (STC) has remained on the cutting edge of technology training, offering countless opportunities for students to enhance their skills in a variety of software packages and Web-based tools.
In March, the STC partnered with the Center for Student Activities to host the first annual Leadership and Technology Conference, an event aimed at helping OU students develop leadership skills while learning about the latest advances in technology and innovation. Participants had the opportunity to learn about a diverse range of topics, including leadership styles, communication strategies, professional networking, project management and emerging technologies. The presentations, workshops and team-building activities were led by OU faculty and staff from across campus.
More than 80 students attended the event according to Brandon Bernier, director of the Student Technology Center.
“It was a fantastic time for students to get real world technology experience,” said Bernier. We received a lot of positive feedback and we're looking to open it up to students from other colleges and universities next year.”
Since opening its doors in 2005, the STC has helped thousands of OU students master a wide array of software programs including Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, Photoshop Elements, Premier Elements and Microsoft Office Suite. STC staff members also help students navigate OU Web sites such as e-Portfolio, Moodle and SAIL.
Many students have visited the STC for one-on-one help with projects involving spreadsheets, Web design and video editing. The staff has facilitated roughly 5,000 mentoring sessions during this academic year and the overall number of student visits continues to rise, according to Bernier.
“This year, we wanted to hit 10 percent growth,” said Bernier, noting that the previous academic year saw roughly 74,000 student visits to the STC. “We've actually hit 19 percent growth, which translates to about 88,000 student visits.”
Students are not the only ones availing themselves of STC services. Many faculty members have created custom workshops to provide a dynamic learning experience for their students. 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 also developed along with a PowerPoint presentation for linguistics students.
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. Located on the lower level of the Oakland Center in Room 44, the STC will remain open during the summer semester, with hours posted on its
Web site.
For more information or to set up an appointment with a mentor, contact the STC at (248) 370-4832 or
stc@oakland.edu.
