EMTS Centennial Exhibit: Memories: Surveys

EMTS Memories

Surveys: Janis Brown

Memories
I first joined HSAV in 1983 when I first became responsible for the Learning Resources Center at USC. This was an entirely new area for me, so I was definitely a person in need. I remember that the other members were very helpful and willing to share. It was a small enough section that it was easy to get to know other members and develop a great network of experts to call upon. I think this attitude continues today.

People
Names like Wayne Peay, Bernie Todd Smith, Valerie Florance, Jim Curtis, Laura Barrett, Gale Hannigan come to mind. In the early 80's we were all just getting started with computers.

Technologies
In fall 1983, one of the first projects I had as the Learning Resources Center Coordinator was to set up an interactive video station, which included an Apple IIe and Sony Betamax videocassette player, each with its own monitors. This system was designed for interactive patient interviews using video and a program created by the USC School of Medicine. That was the beginning of our use of computers, which have, of course, grown by leaps and bounds since then.

Advances
Computer-based educational software, especially some of the newer products that are on CD-ROM and include video, great graphics, as well as good design. These more interactive programs allow students to take a more active role in their learning, to go over and over a concept until they "get it", and often to test their knowledge.

Trends
The World Wide Web, of course! Our students have always wanted to access educational resources from home--or at least from outside the library. The Web provides ease of access and eliminates need for a particular computer platform. Currently, the Web is hampered by the limitations of HTML, although Java scripts are improving the situation. We're in a transition phase in which there is currently more sophistication in the CD-ROM or standalone computer-based educational programs, but eventually these "extras" will be more widely available on the Web. Then, we'll just have to worry about licensing agreements and authentication schemes to make it all work.

Future
I'm not sure how well my crystal ball is working, but my predictions are that the Web will be the predominant means of providing educational resources. Or if not the Web, some other networked means. Wireless communications will also be more readily available, so students can take their laptops and connect in from the beach, mountains, or home, providing that the curricula has changed enough so that the students aren't still getting most of their instruction through lectures.

Memories	I first joined HSAV in 1983 when I first became responsible for the Learning Resources Center at USC. This was an entirely new area for me, so I was definitely a person in need. I remember that the other members were very helpful and willing to share. It was a small enough section that it was easy to get to know other members and develop a great network of experts to call upon. I think this attitude continues today.
People	Names like Wayne Peay, Bernie Todd Smith, Valerie Florance, Jim Curtis, Laura Barrett, Gale Hannigan come to mind. In the early 80's we were all just getting started with computers.
Technologies	In fall 1983, one of the first projects I had as the Learning Resources Center Coordinator was to set up an interactive video station, which included an Apple IIe and Sony Betamax videocassette player, each with its own monitors. This system was designed for interactive patient interviews using video and a program created by the USC School of Medicine. That was the beginning of our use of computers, which have, of course, grown by leaps and bounds since then.
Advances	Computer-based educational software, especially some of the newer products that are on CD-ROM and include video, great graphics, as well as good design. These more interactive programs allow students to take a more active role in their learning, to go over and over a concept until they "get it", and often to test their knowledge.
Trends	The World Wide Web, of course! Our students have always wanted to access educational resources from home--or at least from outside the library. The Web provides ease of access and eliminates need for a particular computer platform. Currently, the Web is hampered by the limitations of HTML, although Java scripts are improving the situation. We're in a transition phase in which there is currently more sophistication in the CD-ROM or standalone computer-based educational programs, but eventually these "extras" will be more widely available on the Web. Then, we'll just have to worry about licensing agreements and authentication schemes to make it all work.
Future	I'm not sure how well my crystal ball is working, but my predictions are that the Web will be the predominant means of providing educational resources. Or if not the Web, some other networked means. Wireless communications will also be more readily available, so students can take their laptops and connect in from the beach, mountains, or home, providing that the curricula has changed enough so that the students aren't still getting most of their instruction through lectures.