Technology with DePauw Roots Implemented at USC
August 8, 2003
August 8, 2003, Greencastle, Ind. - Dynamic
Knowledge
Transfer, LLC's flagship software, DyKnow 2.3 -- which extends work
originated by Dave Berque, associate professor of computer science at
DePauw
University -- has
been implemented at the University of Southern California's Distance
Education Network. DyKnow puts the power of technology into the hands
of
both teachers and students by connecting a
teacher's electronic whiteboard or PC to student computers. This
electronic
note delivery system enables
real-time communication between teachers and students through
pen-enabled
systems—both in a
traditional classroom setting and in distance learning
environments.
“DyKnow is able to provide the extra features of interactivity and
personalization of notes that was absent
before in our system,” says Binh Tran, director of information
technology
for the USC's Distance Education Network (DEN). “DyKnow will allow
DEN's engineering courses to have much more interactivity in the class
with
the instructor and allow
students to 
have a truly unique class experience.” The DEN
will use DyKnow 2.3 in select classes this fall.
A company news release states, "Dynamic Knowledge Transfer, LLC is a privately-owned company that develops interactive technology solutions for the future of education. Its patent-pending DyKnow technology extends visionary work pioneered at DePauw University" (read the complete news release here).
Dr.
Berque's original system was called DEBBIE, an acronym for the
DePauw
Electronic
BlackBoard for Interactive Education, which does electronically what
teachers and students used to do with chalk, paper and pencils. The
professor can display all class note information on an electronic
whiteboard in front of the room and make handwritten notes on the
screen
during the lecture, and all the prepared notes and handwritten
addendums
are displayed on screens at the students' desks. 
This
allows
students
more freedom to actively discuss class material, ask questions and
challenge information presented not only by the professor but also by
each other. After class, students can review their electronic notes
anytime
they
want, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Classes in foreign language,
communication, history, and mathematics are among those that use the
system
at DePauw.
The work of Dave Berque, who was named the 1997 US Professor of the
Year
for baccalaureate
colleges by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, has
been
featured in stories by a number of media
outlets, including CNN and USA Today. You can
read
more here, here and
at ABCNews.com. Also available is a video that shows Professor Berque and the system in a classroom setting: 
[DOWNLOAD VIDEO:
"See
The Video" 1427KB].
Back