In August, FITS, along with the rest of Instructional and Learning Services - including the digital media lab ( dml ) and START - moved into newly renovated spaces in the lower level of Roy O. West Library. The opportunity to renovate came when the Media and User Services group (formerly IMS) relocated to the Julian Science and Mathematics Center . FITS director, Julianne Miranda said one of the primary reasons for the move was that "the space afforded an opportunity for FITS and other groups under the Instructional and Learning Services umbrella to be geographically close. By bringing these units into proximity, we are better able to collaborate and provide comprehensive services to clients."

The former dml and FITS labs - where users were cramped and space was limited.

Since the renovation, response has been very positive. "The response of faculty and students who have visited the new FITS and dml centers has been extremely positive," says Carol Smith, Director of Instructional and Learning Services. Comments on the openness of the spaces and how much easier it is to find staff members are among two of the more frequent responses from visitors.

While the renovation has not changed the services offered by FITS and dml , or staff members' roles, it has definitely afforded more space in which to work and Miranda plans on using this space to its fullest. "Our primary goal is always to support faculty - to have conversations with many different departments and continue to identify ways that technology can be used to support teaching and learning. Of course we welcome the chance to have conversations about pedagogy and projects, but we also envision having regular reading and discussion groups to which faculty would come," she says. The new space also allows for a more fluid set of services. As Smith points out, "No matter which lab a client might enter, whether dml or FITS, staff members from any Instructional and Learning Services group will be available to provide the right kind of expertise or assistance." So regardless of the original needs of clients, support is always available right at hand.

In the coming year, FITS will be capitalizing on the new space through a number of development and training programs for faculty. Planning for the 2005 Winter Term Workshop is underway. This is a three-week, highly individualized but relaxed program for faculty who want to rethink a component of their course and explore ways technology might help address pedagogical goals. The 2005 FITS Summer Workshop has also been scheduled for May 31- June 4 and June 7. Finally, FITS also supports faculty fellowships that involve the use of technology.

Overall, the renovation has been a terrific asset to FITS and the faculty clients FITS serves on a regular basis. If you have not had a chance to see the new space, we encourage you to drop in for a visit.

In addition to its technology resources, FITS also has a large supply of literary publications to help support faculty in using this technology in the classroom. One of these publications is The NITLE News - The Newsletter of the National Institute for Technology & Liberal Education. The purpose of the publication is to showcase recent innovations and collaborations at liberal arts colleges which seek to make effective use of technology to enhance teaching, learning, scholarship, and information management. With a strong focus on people, the newsletter seeks to improve classroom interactions and relationships through the use of both established and emerging technologies. Highlights from a recent edition (Volume 3, Number 3, Summer 2004) include articles on the growing impact of technology on liberal arts colleges and how schools are coping with the changes. This issue also touches on the need to remain technologically competitive and how collaboration can be imporoved through the use of technology.

The newsletter regularly focuses on pedagogy and how technology is being used on college campuses to improve teaching in new and innovative ways. In addition, it reports on recent workshops and conventions regarding technology and teaching at liberal arts colleges. This acts as a great reference for further research into recent pedagogical developments. Furthermore, there are listings of upcoming events which might be of interest for those seeking to explore more in depth these aspects of teaching and learning, as well as opportunities for collaborative activities.

Overall, The NITLE News is a great resource for faculty members at DePauw who are looking to effectively use technology in the classroom to improve their teaching without losing focus on the students and also acts as a terrific starting point for further research. In addition to the most recent issue, a number of past issues of the publication are available for review in the FITS lab. Archives can also be found on the web at http://www.nitle.org/newsletter.

Biography: Frank grew up in Peru , Indiana where he attended Peru High school . Frank played soccer all four years of high school and continued to play later in college. Frank originally came to DePauw planning to study biology, but changed to computer science after his first year. After graduating in May 2004 with a bachelors degree, Frank was hired as a FITS graduate Intern/Associate. He attends classes at Indiana University with the intention of receiving his masters in Information Systems Technology in August 2006.

Areas of Expertise: Dreamweaver; iMovie; Blackboard; iDVD; Questions about the Macs; any digital video/VHS/DVD creation on the Macs; burning cd's; tech-classroom training; consultation about website design and organization; general design strategies; network connections on the iMacs (P & I drive).

Fun Fact: "I grew up in Peru Indiana (also called the circus capital of the world for having an annual amateur circus)."

Frank Gilbert (fgilbert@depauw.edu) may be reached at (765)658-6574 or by visiting the FITS lab.