Provide an additional workstation at the front of BAS S302. The current workstation is located at the back of the classroom and it works very well when teaching computer applications. It does not work well for conventional lectures and presentations. Neither students nor instructors like the instructor lecturing from the back of the classroom or students making presentations from the back of the classroom. Since our courses typically involve lecture, computer applications, and student presentations, student learning can be enhanced through the addition of a workstation at the front of the classroom.
Courses taught in this classroom primarily include MGMT, MKT, ENGL, CIS, ECON, FIN, and QM. There are typically 8-10 courses scheduled in this classroom each semester, but when faculty teach there the first day, they often ask for a room re-assignment due to the setup of the room (small, narrow room with the workstation in the back of the room). There are generally 5-6 classes each fall and spring semester and 3-5 summer classes that stay in the room throughout the semester (about 350 students in classes each year). This number would be increased if a workstation were placed at the front of the room. This room is also used by the MGMT/MKT and JOUR departments for special class projects--the room has polling software called WinCati that is used by approximately 300 Mass Communications students and 250 marketing students each year. Since this special projects use also requires instruction, JOUR and MKT students could benefit from having a workstation at the front of the classroom for instruction in the use of WinCati software. Considering all uses of this room, approximately 900 students use this room each year. Instead of a complete duplicate instructor workstation, we would only need the cabinet, an additional PC, an additional AMX charger, computer interfacing/cables, installation, labor, and AMX programming. We also request that the Digital Document Camera (visual presenter) be moved from the rear workstation to the front workstation.
The Management and Marketing Department and the Office of Communications Research (College of Mass Communications) currently have a joint telephone survey lab in BAS S302 that has 26 student computer stations. We currently have WinCati interviewing software and telephone headsets--these items were funded by TAF in 2000-2001. Students enrolled in Marketing Research (MKT 3930)and Applied Marketing Research (MKT 4880)use the lab for conducting marketing research projects and telephone surveys to develop 5 Middle Tennessee Consumer Confidence Reports each year. Approximately 250 students from these courses will use the CATI technology each year. The results of the students' work, a MidTenn Consumer Confidence Index (CCI), is widely distributed and provides valuable positive exposure for MTSU. The Office of Communications Research currently uses students to conduct a semi-annual poll of Tennessee residents measuring their attitudes toward various topics (MTPoll). The results of the MTPoll are widely distributed to local and state media, and they provide valuable positive exposure for MTSU. Each year, 300 students use the WinCati system to collect MTPoll information. Both the MTPoll and MidTenn CCI provide valuable hands-on learning opportunities for students.
An upgrade to the WinCati system is needed for several reasons: The current WinCati system is no longer supported by the manufacturer (Sawtooth). The upgrade will be compatible with upgrades to the Windows platform. The upgrade will also allow students to work with Internet-based surveys. Several efficiencies have also been bulit into the upgrade. The upgrade will provide students with opportunities to gain an expertise in using the exact system used by national research firms.
Licensing/Support fees are required for this software to operate--the three year license fee listed below provides a license through this edition of the WinCati software.
