last updated: Jun 10 2007
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The University of Texas at Austin
Executive Vice President and Provost

Digital Media Services

What is it?

Digital Media Services (DMS) is an initiative of the Division of Instructional Innovation and Assessment with three goals:

1. Prepare students to be 21st century professionals by allowing them to interact with digital media and develop skills that will transfer to both their personal and professional lives.
2. Provide opportunities for students to generate and represent knowledge in rich, meaningful, and authentic ways.
3. Enhance the potential of students to create, consume, and critically evaluate digital media.

What does it offer?

Digital Media Services provides support for faculty and students in three different ways.

1. Training
   Students can access a series of digital media workshops taught by experienced instructors, including:
   • Using a digital video camera to capture quality video footage in a variety of settings
     Editing digital video using Apple iMovie to create compelling video-based presentations
   • Creating voice recordings using Apple Soundtrack Pro for use in creating digital presentations such as videos, podcasts, and screencasts
   • Using the Macromedia Captivate screencasting application to capture computer screen activity and record presentations
2. Consulting
   Students using DMS can access expert consulting on how to best plan and execute their digital media assignments. Our staff can assist students in using the digital media tools, developing strategies and techniques for completing effective digital media projects, and getting feedback and suggestions. We also provide faculty consulting on how to plan and evaluate digital media projects.
3. Equipment & Facilities
   Student and faculty DMS participants can access high-quality digital media equipment, software, and facilities:
   • The DIIA Multimedia Lab: 16 high-quality workstations with a variety of digital media production software and video equipment
   • A video production studio equipped with lighting, backdrop, and green screen -- a perfect location for interviews and small video shoots
   • An acoustically-treated audio production studio equipped with a powerful audio workstation, professional microphones, and audio equipment -- an ideal location for producing voice recordings
   • Digital video kits, available for checkout, with a prosumer-level digital video camera, microphones, headphones, and a tripod -- everything students need to capture video footage

How can I participate?

If you think that DMS might be a good fit for a course you teach, contact DIIA for more information. DIIA staff will meet with you to help determine the appropriate level of DMS support for your course and develop ideas for how the course can effectively incorporate elements of digital media.

We ask participating faculty to agree to do four things as part of their DMS participation:

1. Attend a one-day faculty orientation workshop before the semester.
2. Meet monthly to reflect and share thoughts and both positive and negative experiences related to the DMS initiative.
3. Respond to periodic surveys and interviews about the services we offer.
4. Require students to participate in pre-course and post-course surveys.

More information:

For questions or to discuss participating in the DMS initiative, contact Susanna Herndon at 475-6386 or herndon@mail.utexas.edu.