The Telecommunications Department, in cooperation with the Media Production Center, provides videoconferencing facilities for the purpose of fully interactive Distance Learning. FSU is a full member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Telecommunications Association (MiCTA) and our MichNet connection provides full,dial-up T-1 connectivity with all of the state universities and community colleges, along with many intermediate school districts. In addition, FSU teaches classes at the Applied Technology Center and Kendall College of Art and Design.
Telecommunications provides technical support for the two distance learning classrooms on the FSU campus, one is located in the Instructional Resource Center (IRC Building): room 102 and the other is in the Ferris Library for Information and Technology (FLITE) 405.
Both rooms offer nearly identical capabilities, such as document display systems, network computing with display, and VHS VCR playback and recording (if desired). A professional operator runs the equipment in 200 from an adjacent control room, while the system in 102 is controlled via a touchscreen located on the teacher's console. Both IRC 102 and Flite 405 have seating for 24.
Ferris also offers facilities for limited interactive teleconferences, such as a downlinked satellite meetings with telephone response and large group telephone conferences. Either type satellite (C-band or Ku ) can be delivered nearly anywhere on campus through our fiber optic network or via the campus cable television system. As these events are normally held in classrooms, prompt notice is required to avoid scheduling conflicts.
For information on Distance Learning, please contact the Media Production Center at x2720. If there are technical problems, contact x2719.
For scheduling, contact x2721.