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Defining Concepts | Technology
Today’s students have been using computers their whole lives. One can only imagine what students will expect a generation from now. While concern has been expressed that all the technology available to students such as cell phones and PDAs – which they use about as often as pens and paper – can cause human isolation, others would argue that the technology merely facilitates the formation of different forms of community. Regardless, it appears certain that technology will play a large part in shaping the residence halls of the future.
Examples of the pervasive application of technology include the following:
Personalization of Space: Using technologies currently available or on the near horizon, residents are able to create a personal look in their own rooms. Lighting intensity and coloration can be tuned to reinforce or counter ambient moods, for instance, and can be linked to pre-selected music that comes up on entering the room. Walls can be bathed in bright or subtle computer-generated colors and patterns. Personal “learning center” work stations can be pre-programmed for touch-and-go activation in configurations that are most comfortable to the individual.
Connectivity of Devices and Media: Most of the equipment in the residence hall can “talk” to other equipment in order to anticipate residents’ needs, as well as manage energy use more efficiently. Personal computers can be used anywhere, based on universal wireless connectivity. The world’s library of historic media-content is instantly accessible from many devices that are able to display information in multiple media, as selected by the user.
Intranet Systems: A variety of school-sponsored intranet directories, message centers, chat rooms, blogs, instant messaging services, and Web sites connect all participants in the school community and reduce social isolation. Academic and social life are intertwined, and both are pursued in a myriad of face-to-face and electronic communications.
Virtual Classrooms: From their own rooms, residents may attend classes virtually, convening in cyberspace with students from other institutions around the world and with faculty who may be remotely located as well. These technologies may be of special importance in accommodating the needs of a nontraditional, multi-tasking student who may be on campus physically only part-time, but will need to remain in daily contact with the home institution.
Defining Concepts | Technology
Today’s students have been using computers their whole lives. One can only imagine what students will expect a generation from now. While concern has been expressed that all the technology available to students such as cell phones and PDAs – which they use about as often as pens and paper – can cause human isolation, others would argue that the technology merely facilitates the formation of different forms of community. Regardless, it appears certain that technology will play a large part in shaping the residence halls of the future.
Examples of the pervasive application of technology include the following:
Personalization of Space: Using technologies currently available or on the near horizon, residents are able to create a personal look in their own rooms. Lighting intensity and coloration can be tuned to reinforce or counter ambient moods, for instance, and can be linked to pre-selected music that comes up on entering the room. Walls can be bathed in bright or subtle computer-generated colors and patterns. Personal “learning center” work stations can be pre-programmed for touch-and-go activation in configurations that are most comfortable to the individual.
Connectivity of Devices and Media: Most of the equipment in the residence hall can “talk” to other equipment in order to anticipate residents’ needs, as well as manage energy use more efficiently. Personal computers can be used anywhere, based on universal wireless connectivity. The world’s library of historic media-content is instantly accessible from many devices that are able to display information in multiple media, as selected by the user.
Intranet Systems: A variety of school-sponsored intranet directories, message centers, chat rooms, blogs, instant messaging services, and Web sites connect all participants in the school community and reduce social isolation. Academic and social life are intertwined, and both are pursued in a myriad of face-to-face and electronic communications.
Virtual Classrooms: From their own rooms, residents may attend classes virtually, convening in cyberspace with students from other institutions around the world and with faculty who may be remotely located as well. These technologies may be of special importance in accommodating the needs of a nontraditional, multi-tasking student who may be on campus physically only part-time, but will need to remain in daily contact with the home institution.
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