Technologies and Equipment for Distance Learning
Common Equipment
The type of equipment needed for online learning depends on the objectives (and ambition) of the instructors, subject matter experts, and instructional designers. Further, it depends on the capabilities of the development team.
Typical equipment needed include a computer, a webcam, and a headset with a microphone.
Additional equipment includes a camcorder, tripod, digital still camera, and other equipment.
Even more specialized course builds will require other types of equipment and software.
Common Software Programs
The necessary software will include a wide range of authoring tools. There are typical types of software used for digital content creators. (Please see the downloadable Draft Empty Stylebook for more information on common authoring software tools. A "stylebook" is a basic guide created by the development team to create a complex online learning project.) Generally, it's preferable to go with respected software makers who will be dominant in the field and will ensure that files created using their programs are backwards compatible.
Collaborative technologies that are used include learning / course management systems (like K-State Online); web conferencing tools (like Wimba; Adobe Connect); email systems, wikis, web logs (blogs), microblogging sites (like Twitter), and social networking sites.
The Media Development Center (MDC)
213 Hale Library
785-532-7422
(Note: Please come by the Media Development Center (MDC) on the second floor of Hale Library. With your identification, you can borrow all sorts of high-tech equipment for digital information captures: digital still cameras, camcorders, tripods, digital audio recorders, and other resources. You will have to provide your own memory media--like memory cards or mini-digital video tapes. Also, the MDC offers a range of on-campus equipment and software tools:
equipment: a full sound-booth, a high-resolution 5 x 5' scanner, video editing stations in both PC and Mac formats, flatbed scanners, pdf scanners, DVD / CD recorders; vinyl-to-digital turntables; mini-DV (digital video) cassettes to .avi conversion consoles;
software: Adobe Creative Suite (including Adobe Photoshop (image editing); InDesign (digital layout and publishing); After Effects (animations); Dreamweaver (website building); Fireworks (image editing); Flash Professional (animation); Illustrator (image editing); Premiere Pro (video and audio editing), and others); Microsoft Office Suite; Sony Vegas, and others
Training on Common Digital Recording Technologies: MDC staff can help with training in the use of screen capture tools like Adobe Captivate, Tech Smith Camtasia, Screenflow, and others.
Advisement for Equipment Purchases: Those departments that may want to purchase their own in-house equipment may request professional advice on what technologies may meet their needs. Please contact Phyllis Epps (pepps@k-state.edu) for more information.
