UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 7
October 17, 1996
Tune in: Wide range of technology information on UDTV

     Interested in learning the latest information about buying a
computer? Curious about how to use Windows '95? Confused about
how to use e-mail? Seeking help with the Internet?
     Answers to these and other technology questions are
available during 22 hours of special programming presented each
week on UDTV Channel 48, "Technology Help from the University of
Delaware."
     Produced by three information technologies staff
members-Richard Gordon, user services, and Bob DiIorio and Kathie
Troutman, University media services-this programming block
broadcasts technology information directly to students, faculty
and staff.
     This semester's programming includes a mixture of original
material and programs licensed from sources outside the
University.
         Tech Files, programs produced by UD information
   technologies staff, about the use of technology on campus;
         Smart Courseware from Anderson Soft Teach, high-
   quality video courses on a variety of computing topics;
         Computer Chronicles, a PBS series of "feature"
   programs on computing topics, considered one of the best
   regular television programs about computing; and
         Life on the Internet, a PBS series that focuses
   attention on how computing and the Internet are becoming part
   of life and culture.
     According to Gordon, all the technology programming on UDTV-
48 is ideal for members of the campus community who want training
in technology but are unable to attend a training session.
     "There are a number of people who would like to learn about
Windows '95, for example, but are unable to attend a three-hour
class in the middle of the day. For them, a three-part,
instructional television program is a convenient alternative," he
said.
     During the day, programs that address the needs of the
entire University community are broadcast, and evening
programming is tailored to students," Gordon said.
     Even though individual shows are repeated at various times
to match viewers' varied schedules, "we've managed to broadcast
at least one new program every week this semester," he said. Six
original programs, ranging from 20 to 45 minutes in length, are
planned for this semester.
     Gordon said feedback has been very positive. The first
program, "Tech Files 1.0: Buying a Computer?,"debuted during the
summer at New Student Orientation and Delaware Preview Days," and
Gordon said parents and students would ask follow-up questions of
him and the staff at the Technology Solutions Center. "That
parents and incoming students would ask such good questions led
us to believe that the program was attracting their attention and
interest," he said.
     All of the programming delivers practical information to a
large audience in a flexible way. "For example," he said, "if we
need to offer e-mail training each fall to thousands of new
students and faculty, the campus cable system, supplemented by
our video library in the Pearson Hall Training Center, allows new
options for course length and format."
     The technology programming on UDTV-48 allows the University
to deliver technology information directly to students and
departments: "Broadcasting 'Technology Help from UD' on UDTV
allows us to deliver the material to the user, instead of making
him or her come to us," Gordon said.
     Gordon is in charge of selecting the programs to air and the
content of "Tech Files," the UD-produced programming. DiIorio is
responsible for the production and video design.
     "It's very satisfying for us to use our technical skills in
a creative way," DiIorio said. "We've tried to reach a balance
between something as slick and expensive to produce as you might
see on ABC or MTV and a basic, no frills, point-and-shoot
approach.
     "We've taken an informal approach to attract students'
attention. We feel that if we can get them to just tune in, they
will be able to learn something, and that's the primary
objective," DiIorio said.
     Troutman's role is to make sure the programming is shown to
its best advantage. "It's very exciting to present this material
on Channel 48, broadcasting it directly to where people are
computing-to students in their residence hall rooms and to
faculty and staff in their departments."
     According to Susan Foster, vice president for information
technologies, "This programming on UDTV Channel 48 is an
important vehicle for informing the University community about
technology's roles. It's proving to be an especially good way to
reach new students directly in the residence halls."
     She adds that "Technology Help from UD" has the potential to
go beyond "how-to" programming. "We know this can be a good way
to deliver training materials, but it's also our goal to offer
programming that will stimulate new ideas for how technology can
improve teaching, learning, research and general productivity
across the campus."
                                                    -Ed Okonowicz