USF 1996-97 Undergraduate Catalog - Page 54

Distance and Technology Mediated Learning

Academic Productions supports the video production and recording needs of the University by providing in-house classroom studio facilities. These studios are part of the University's distance learning network which enables the delivery of courses, teleconferences, and meetings to remot campuses, industrial and corporate sites, and other agencies throughout the State. Academic Productions can also produce instructional, informational, and promotional videos and multi-image slide shows for faculty, staff, and student organizations.

Academic Support Services provides coordination and assistance in the delivery of courses to off-campus sites. Services include studio scheduling, publication of course offerings, on-site registration and advisement, materials distribution, tape duplication and distribution, and site director training. Academic Support Services acts as a conduit between and among the various campuses and remote sites.

Campus A/V Instructional Services provides equipment such as TV receivers/monitors, video projectors, video equipment, computer projection units, 16mm projectors, filmstrip projectors, slide projectors, etc., for classroom use, University events and other functions. Audiovisual Services also provides simple and complex public address systems, recording and dubbing services, and maintenance of audio and video equipment.

The Film/Video Distribution's collection contains instructional and informational videotapes and films that are available for utilization in scheduled USF courses at no charge; for rental to external agencies or non-academic internal utilization; and for preview in the Film/Video Distribution Office located on the Tampa campus. Reference and research services for films not in the USF collection are also provided.

The Graphic Design Department provides a full range of graphic design applications including brochures, flyers, transparencies, charts, graphs, signs, video animation, computer-generated slides, and displays. Graphic designers provide solutions to meet communication design needs for instructional, informational, and promotional activities of the University.

The Media Supplies and Services Department provides comprehensive assistance in the selection, design, production and utilization of a varied range of instructional and presentational materials and tools. Services include overhead transparencies, signs, drymounting, matting, laminating, framing, punch/bind and poster size enlargements. AV materials, such as microphones, patch cords, projection lamps, overhead transparencies, surge protectors, audio and video cassettes, splicing tapes, and more are available for purchase.

Teleconferences

USF teleconference facilities allow faculty, staff, students, and the business community access to pertinent information presented by renowned experts in their field. Using one-way video and two-way audio live, satellite-transmitted, interactive programs, conferences, and discussions from anywhere in the world. Viewers, in remote sites who share an educational need, are virtually connected across time and space by electronic technology. USF's satellite receiving dish allows reception of both KU and C band teleconferences, as well as re-transmission from the Tampa campus to selected receive-sites within the University's five-county transmission area. The Office of Teleconferences also provides full coordination services for uplink capability. Complete teleconference program planning, coordination and administrative services, including marketing and promotion, registration, program materials, fiscal management, and evaluation are available.

Open University (O.U.)

The Open University (O.U.) brings USF credit courses to students via television and radio. Broadcast on WUSF-TV, Channel 16 in the Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Lakeland areas and on WSFP-TV, Channel 30 in the Fort Myers area, O.U. is ideal for the working person, a parent with small children, a student who is unable to get into an on-campus course, or anyone with a desire to learn. Most programs are broadcast twice, at times convenient for students.

Many O.U. courses may be used to fulfill General Distribution and/or major requirements and may be used as elective credit for most degree programs. Some O.U. courses also may be used by Florida teachers to extend their teaching certificates. Students should check with their departments for clarification.

THERE IS NO MANDATORY FIRST DAY CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR MOST O.U. COURSES UNLESS INDICATED. This means that, while you are not responsible for attending a "first class" for most O.U. courses (other than those scheduled and listed on your syllabus), you will NOT BE AUTOMATICALLY DROPPED from an O.U. course. The ONLY way you may drop an Open University course is to fill out a drop/add form and turn it in to the Office of the Registrar.

All O.U. credit courses require some combination of quizzes, papers, special projects, etc., and students receive a letter grade or elect in some courses, to take a satisfactory/unsatisfactory option. Registration dates/times coincide with the University's registration schedule. Both degree-seeking and non degree-seeking students may register for the Open University telecourses at the Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Fort Myers, or Lakeland campuses. Students registering by phone must get a course syllabus from the O.U. office before classes begin. Students registering at the Tampa Campus (not by phone) must have a permit stamp from the O.U. office before registering.

The O.U. office, like all departments at USF, is unable to give course grades or assignment grades over the phone. With proper identification (driver's license, military ID, USF ID), O.U. will be happy to return papers or give grades to you personally.

Send comments to:
Karen M. Hall - webCat@ugs.usf.edu
Effective Date: Semester I, 1996