From fox@fox.cs.vt.edu Mon Apr 15 18:03:31 1996 Date: Mon, 15 Apr 1996 18:03:21 -0400 From: fox@fox.cs.vt.edu (Edward A. Fox) To: janlee@vtopus.cs.vt.edu, kriz@wave.esm.vt.edu, ravlin@vt.edu Hi! I am writing to the 2 co-chairs and the contact person for CAC that should report to the CCRC for its Wedn am meeting. Please consider the following as you work on recommendations. Thanks, Ed PS Many of the ideas expressed have been stated before, in many cases by others, so please accept my thanks for all the contributions that go into the summary below. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I. WWW pages re CAC: I don't have much at http://fox.cs.vt.edu/CCRC/CAC.html so please send me more to include there. If you have sent me something before that you want included, please advise. II. Regarding recommendations at http://www.sv.vt.edu/future/future.html#CAC I hope there can be an update on these. I'd like to suggest that the idea of a graphics minor be expanded to a multimedia minor or concentration. That is broader and would seem to be a key need on campus. My definition would be that multimedia would include graphics, visualization, audio, video, animation, text, ... III. A CAC program should address all the computing related needs of campus. I argue that it should function at multiple levels: a- VPI&SU giving guidance to high schools on preparation for coming to study here regarding computing background b- A computer literacy program for new students so they can begin to use computers c- Core requirements for some computing intensive course(s) d- Summer CAC workshops to bring togther faculty involved in computing intensive course(s) e- Sharing of courseware modules among faculty teaching computing intensive course(s) to make the overall university operation more efficient f- CS consulting service to help faculty working on computing intensive course(s) g- An undergraduate minor in multimedia IV. Ultimately, I believe all this could fit into the Faculty Development Initiative. Please consider the points below: First, note that in summer 1997 it would be timely to have a week-long prototype for what I will call FDI-2. In 1993 a group of about 50 went through a prototype of the current Faculty Development Initiative, prior to the regular program that started in 1994. Since the 2nd cycle (whose details are to be defined) of FDI would typically start in 1998, it would be sensible to have a pilot of it in summer 1997. I propose that we launch CAC's faculty training component through a 1997 prototype effort. Second, regarding continuing FDI, I believe it would be sensible for Computer Science to have a consulting center, and provide services similar to statistics or the Writing Center, helping people around campus engaged in computing related efforts. We could engage our students in this, just like Statistics does, giving them valuable experience. With sufficient university support we could: * provide assistance to faculty working on computing intensive applications * run training sessions for faculty on specific topics * run summer CAC workshops This would relieve Educational Technologies to engage in course transformation and other projects which they now lack time to do because of the hectic FDI schedule. Third, the CAC summer workshops would start with a pilot in summer 1997. I propose that the Provost's office, CEUT, Educational Technologies, Computing Center and CS all play a role in that pilot and meet together for a 1 day brainstorming session about that sometime this summer. CS could assume responsibility for the pilot, with assistance from the other groups. Fourth, based on the pilot in summer 1997, discussions regarding the FDI-2 process, and progress toward a consulting center in CS, there should be detailed planning in summer 1997 for FDI-2. CS would be happy to participate in that process. It might be the case that CAC would be a key part of FDI-2.