RPCC awarded two tech grants
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SORRENTO — River Parishes Community College was recently awarded two technology grants that enhance online and classroom learning, according to a release from the school.
RPCC received $32,000 to install eight interactive whiteboards and four interactive podiums in classrooms, and it received $60,000 for podcasting equipment, software and training so that faculty can offer classes online.
The interactive podiums and boards will allow instructors to use a digital pen to write lecture notes on the whiteboard, then save the information and post it online.
Podcasting involves creating audio and/or visual digital media files that can be accessed online. The software, equipment and training in the grant give instructors to create lectures and materials for classroom and online courses.
“We are able to appeal to visual learners while also supporting our students with special needs,” said Douglas Weatherly with the RPCC English department, who co-authored the grant. “It is especially helpful in English and math, where visual illustrations of formatting or problems can give students a better understanding of the concepts they are studying,” Weatherly said.
The podcasting technology helps RPCC reach students who can’t come to campus, said Savitha Pinnepalli, principal investigator of the podcasting grant. The grant has also allowed educators in the Louisiana Community and Technical College System four free sessions to learn how to use podcasting software, Pinnepalli said.
“Many community and technical college faculty do not have the resources to go to conferences for professional development,” Pinnepalli said. “These sessions serve as a forum to network, discuss ideas and new technology, all while receiving instruction from trainers from these software companies.”
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