LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 15, 2012) — The University of Kentucky is increasing its focus at all levels on student success.
One particular area of emphasis – as part of UK’s accreditation next year – is on the skills that all students will need as they enter the workforce. UK is placing significant focus on equipping students to communicate across a wide variety of platforms, verbal and oral, digital and multimedia among them, and to present themselves in the most effective way.
The latest tool added to the mix of resources for students, faculty and staff is the “Media Depot,” which is opening this month.
UK Information Technology is creating a student digital media space with the support of the Student Fee Committee to provide online support, recording equipment, editing stations with software and technical support for students’ development of their academic media projects. It will be located in The Hub at the William T. Young Library.
By the end of November, equipment for four recording rooms plus a larger recording room, like a mini studio, will be installed. In Spring 2013, editing machines will be arranged in pods for group work, and an orientation station will be staffed with “media experts” to assist students with projects.
Later next spring, the current “laptop lounge,” located behind the help desk in the Cisco Student Lab, will be transformed into a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) collaboration space for screening projects and presentations. Additional changes for the media/presentation space are expected in the Spring and will be communicated as they are approved and finalized.
“Exciting transformations are occurring in The Hub that will be beneficial for all UK students,” Patsy Carruthers, UKIT senior manager recently said. “Core classes and major specific courses are requiring students to complete media-related projects, and the Media Depot will provide a variety of media equipment for both individual and group assignments.”
The Media Depot is the latest compelling example of UK’s commitment to high-tech, collaborative learning and to providing the most up-to-date tools for students, in particular, in garnering the skills necessary to communicate successfully.
As part of its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, UK has undertaken a so-called Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP): a specific area of academic focus to which the entire institution is committed. UK’s QEP is called “Presentation U,” which represents the collaborative efforts taking place across the campus to create opportunities for students to learn these communications skills.
"The QEP is the idea that we can bring together in one place ultimately, all the services that UK offers to students in this area such as our writing center, the Study, the MC3 Center and the Hub," UK president Eli Capilouto said. "The goal of Presentation U is to unite these services and strengthen them. At the same time, we'll provide faculty with the resources to develop even more opportunities in courses for students to learn these critical skills. This process is a window on our commitment to students and to Kentucky."
MEDIA CONTACT: Sarah Geegan, (859) 257-5365; sarah.geegan@uky.edu
