<< CIDDE Functions

Instructional Support

CIDDE's third major function, Instructional Support, encompasses services related to the delivery of instruction. These include, for example, the design of technology enhancements for the classroom, the delivery and operation of classroom media, and the administration of a computer-based testing system. CIDDE's support for interactive television and Blackboard are other examples of instructional support services.

Classroom media services at the University of Pittsburgh have developed and expanded dramatically since 1995. As the world has been transitioning from film and videotape to digital formats, CIDDE has worked to facilitate this change at Pitt. Greater technical complexity in the classroom has transformed the nature of service and support on campus. For example, the dramatic growth in the use of notebook computers in the classroom has had a significant impact on how Media Services supports faculty, requiring a higher skill level in our operators. Our "classroom hotline" helps staff troubleshoot problems and offers faculty a sense of security when using classroom technology. While this kind of support may be difficult to quantify, it is crucial to the successful use of instructional technologies on the Pitt campus.

Special one-time allocations from the Provost have enabled CIDDE to acquire an inventory of state-of-the-practice instructional equipment that maintains Pitt's position as an instructional technology leader. This funding was justified by a five-year plan that analyzes and projects classroom media needs and equipment life cycles. The purchases made with this funding include notebook PC's and a wide range of other technologies to accommodate the diverse needs of Pitt's faculty. The acquisition of additional equipment, combined with the creation of one additional IMS staff position, has enabled CIDDE to significantly enhance its classroom support services.

New support services and technologies require new and innovative management and distribution methods. Communication between the faculty and the CIDDE Media Services staff must be efficient and effective. To this end, CIDDE has created software applications to allow faculty to order classroom support services conveniently online. The development and deployment of OPUS and OPUSWeb, CIDDE's administrative system for instructional media services, has made it easier to record, track and fill media service requests. It also enables CIDDE to access usage statistics and other information that facilitates continual improvement in media services.

The renovation of campus classrooms at Pitt has progressed significantly since 1995 and is closely related to CIDDE's planning for instructional technology deployment. More than 100 classrooms have been renovated to include display devices, source audio/video equipment, and network connections to allow easy access to BlackBoard, the Internet, and other network resources. CIDDE, in conjunction with the Classroom Management Team, has designed a technology plan to accommodate each specific facility as well as the teaching needs of the faculty using it.

Pitt's original ITV infrastructure, deployed in the mid 1980's, has been upgraded and new sites were added in Oakland and at the regional campuses. Lower cost IP connections have allowed a broader range of users to take advantage of these technologies.

The distributed testing system administered by CIDDE includes both paper and computer-based testing capabilities for academic exams. Originally designed to meet the needs of faculty and students in UESP, the testing network includes facilities at all of Pitt's campuses as well as at seven regional locations such as community libraries. Now these services are open to non-UESP courses.