How the SMART Learning Commons & Media Services can improve your students’ projects
by Ryan Ihrke
Last summer a promising new resource for students opened up in Walter Library. The SMART Learning Commons and Media Services, whose goal is to encourage and enhance student’s use of multimedia in their course projects by providing support to instructors that assign multimedia projects and by expanding students’ understanding of the different technologies available to them, promises to be a major aid to students and instructors.
When you first walk into Room 204 of Walter Library, you see something much like other study areas scattered throughout the University. Students sit at desks reading books or at computers perusing the internet. But upon second glance you notice that the shelves, which one would expect to be filled with books, are instead filled with DVDs and VHS tapes. SMART has a wide variety of DVDs and videos that students may check out or view on one of the viewing stations, and small groups can meet to view films or to work on group projects in one of the viewing rooms or group study spaces.
Students have access not only to computers for general use, but also to multimedia computers with a wide range of software, including Adobe Creative Suite 3, iPhoto, iMovie, Final Cut Express, and Microsoft Office.
Another major advantage to using the SMART Commons is the PAL (Peer Assisted Learning—no relation to the PAL video system used in Europe) system and the Peer Learning Consultants. SMART hires undergraduates to assist other students on their multimedia projects and to help them learn useful programs. Students can take part in study groups and learn directly from peers who possess “demonstrated excellence in course content.” PAL and the Peer Learning Consultants offer group study sessions, writing support, test prep, and even have a bank of previously administered tests available for test prep. Whether the student needs help with a PowerPoint or would like a Spanish study session, the SMART Commons can help.
But the benefits of SMART are not limited to Walter 204. Students can check out video cameras, external hard drives, tripods, and microphones for use on their projects from SMART locations in Wilson Library, Magrath Library, and Klaeber Court as well.
Whether your students are creating a multi-media project, making a video, want to watch a film, or are just looking for a place in which they can do group work, the SMART Commons is a great resource for improving student projects and exhancing the University experience.
Check out the Smart Commons website.