The Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface (CUSB) has renovated an old student lounge transforming it into a state-of-the-art videoconferencing classroom. The new videoconferencing system is used to receive nursing classes taught from Ottawa as well as to deliver classes with students who can't attend them in Winnipeg.
CUSB partnered with the University of Ottawa to offer an expanded number of nursing courses. The professor delivers the lecture from Ottawa to the CUSB videoconference classroom which includes a video camera and microphone system allowing the professor to see and hear the nursing students. This face-to-face communications system enables students attending CUSB to complete classes they would otherwise not be able to take. Monique LaCoste, Communications Coordinator stated that “Distance learning is a must for postsecondary education establishments today, and even more so for a small university like Saint Boniface. On-line learning has allowed us to offer programs we would not be able to run on our own; we accomplish this through partnerships with other universities. For example, our nursing students who complete their diploma at the Collège, can then pursue their Bachelor of Nursing by doing their fourth year in conjunction with the University of Ottawa. Students attend classes on our campus in Winnipeg, with their professors in Ottawa. They receive a quality French-language education without having to leave the province."
Monique also noted that "Long-distance learning is also a way for the Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface to reach a larger clientele. Our Masters in Canadian Studies, and Translation programs, for example, attract students from across Canada and around the world. Distance-learning offers maximum flexibility for the student, who can study from home or in the office, according to their own schedule. This model allows us to deliver a wider range of programs to a broader student base.”
The new HD systems and the availability of bandwidth have made the integration of videoconferencing into the classroom a natural addition to communications systems. Mark Raho, Inland AV Systems Programmer commented "The TANDBERG HD equipment and components from suppliers like AMX, Kramer and Extron enable us to design a very sophisticated videoconference system but still keep it user-friendly for the professors and students. The system works together seamlessly so that 1 touch screen is needed to control the videoconference system, 2 computer inputs, 2 cameras with pan, tilt and zoom, 3 monitors, DVD and VHS players."
State-of-the-art technology, such as video conferencing equipment, is not a luxury in today’s competitive university market. “Having cutting-edge technology in our classrooms and laboratories is essential if we are to offer students the training they need to prepare for tomorrow’s job market. That is why equipment enhancement is one of the four priorities of our latest capital campaign,”explained Monique
The Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface recently launched La campagne VISION campaign, a $15 M fundraising effort, the largest in its 191 year history. The campaign objectives include: $13 M to build a new state-of-the-art Health Sciences building, $1 M for scholarships and bursaries, and $1 M for equipment enhancement and research.
Contact your Inland AV location and ask for a demonstration of HD videoconferencing.
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