SPC’s Digitorium Let’s Your Business 'Get Connected'

“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.