 Feature
Story
SPC’s
Digitorium Let’s Your Business 'Get Connected'
by Gretchen Cain
“The Digitorium, and
everything connected with it, is geared to improve
learning or support an educational function, providing
better services and enhancing the overall educational
experience.” - Dr. James Olliver, SPC Seminole Provost
Are you one of the last to connect to today’s media
tools? It’s a paradox: As a busy business person, you
may be so immersed in your work world that you can’t
spare the time to learn about the latest technology, and
yet, the technology exists to make your business more
productive in less time. Not to worry, a quick fix is
available by attending a class or program in St.
Petersburg College’s premier Digitorium. If the computer
or television-related technology is on the market, then
the Digitorium already has it and is fully equipped to
provide video-on-demand concerts, lectures and other
presentations.
Simple presentations can be manipulated from the stage
with an easy-to-master portable teaching station, or
they can be much more complex, with character-generated
graphics, high gloss stills and digitally-mastered
sound, as wireless intercom systems allow for control
room to stage communications, person to person. Located
in the College University Building of the Seminole
campus, the Digitorium was named to describe its
function, an auditorium offering live cable broadcast
and Webcast capabilities. From anywhere in the facility,
to anywhere in the world, and vice versa, the focus of
the Digitorium at SPC’s Seminole Campus, is on
presentation.
 Susan Reiter, Director of Facilities for the college,
headed the design team that turned the Web classroom
theatre from blueprints to reality, in accordance with
the vision of Dr. Carl Kuttler, St. Petersburg College
President. Kuttler is dedicated to keeping the
“treadmill of change” running at all four full-service
campuses, so that curriculum meets future demands. By
2002, the academic/business market had created a need
for a premier digital and lecture auditorium utilizing
the internet, CDs and archived videos on web sites.
Since the Seminole Campus was designated “the technology
campus,” it was appropriate to build the Digitorium and
digital media curriculum there, to be directed by Dr.
James Olliver, Seminole Campus Provost.
Olliver, a self-acknowledged “techie” and “Trekkie,” who
seems permanently attached to his laptop computer,
described the Digitorium as a “house of tools” to some,
and a “house of toys” to others. The Digitorium is a
teaching facility in its own rite and designed to be a
laboratory for students seeking a digital media degree,
taught by SPC Professor Delynda Keefe, or a
certification in videography, and to give them an edge
in creating Web sites for conventional Internet or
Internet television. Also, there to assist with
information, instruction and production are Jeremy
Peoplow, College-wide videographer, and Kevin Kaas,
Chief engineer. “The Digitorium and everything connected
with it is geared to improve learning or support an
educational function, providing better services and
enhancing the overall educational experience,” said
Olliver.
 A 180-seat facility, with four adjoining classrooms of
40 seats each that can be expanded to 340 seats for
auditorium presentations, the Digitorium may be rented
out to community groups and businesses by arrangement
with the Provost’s office. Besides the collegiate
programs given during 2007, the Digitorium was a venue
for the “Seminole Sings” vocal competition, James Rogers
concert and a “Town Hall Meeting” to discuss Florida
insurance rates and property taxes. Additionally,
through the Freedom Calls Foundation, the Digitorium
linked families of the military to their loved ones
stationed in Iraq.
Olliver said corporations such as the Eckerd Pharmacy
(Rite Aid), are seeing the benefits of the Digitorium.
“It’s very exciting that the Digitorium has the
capabilities to receive satellite downlinks that allow
large groups to participate in high-level
videoconference classes or training, using one-way video
and two-way interactive audio in real time.” “Being able
to respond to a teacher or manager is so important,”
said Olliver. “A business sales force could be hearing
presenters at the Digitorium, or anywhere, and then
joining the video conference by filming or streaming.
Anyone can watch live, phone in, phone text in, or
e-mail in his questions or comments,” he said.
The facility also can be used for the “traditional
teaching” of a large face-to-face class, presentations,
or meetings, on two large 10 x 14 ft. display screens.
Dr. Olliver and Ken Hayward, Technology Resource
Specialist, work together to “future proof” the
Digitorium, ensuring all equipment is up-to-date, while
staying within the Digital Media Department’s budget.
Recently, a third camera was purchased, now in High
Definition (HD) to improve quality. The building itself
will be updated when the need arises; fortunately, it
was planned to be enhanced without major renovations.
Information on the best prices and caliber of
educational technology equipment comes from reading
materials, the Internet, conferences, vendors and the
college staff itself. As a state educational
institution, SPC receives tax dollars, and students are
accessed a technology fee, just as they would be for
materials used in another type of class. Meanwhile, the
department staff diligently seeks collaborative
opportunities to gather further financial support that
will benefit the whole college. Recently, monies were
received through a federal grant for students with
disabilities, to improve the “picture in picture”
television technology.
Where will the SPC Digital Media staff delve next?
Olliver said that with highly sophisticated interactive
games replacing television, catering to virtual
students, in virtual campuses, in virtual worlds, is
already on the horizon. “We are on the cusp of the
digital generation, so we’ll have to wait and see, but I
guarantee it will be exciting, and we’ll be prepared
when the time comes,” he said.
For more information go to
www.spcollege.edu
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