This research paper presents a case to establish a central location for multimedia usage, resources and services for both the IIT community... Show moreThis research paper presents a case to establish a central location for multimedia usage, resources and services for both the IIT community and external communities on the campus of Illinois Institute of Technology. Though a two phased research process, I worked to established baseline multimedia resource data from 10 separate university schools which in turn helped me to collect current multimedia resources information on all service providers on IIT campuses. The final step was to create and implement a detailed survey assessment of current IIT students and alumni, faculty and staff, community users, on campus service providers and partners on the impressions current impressions and needs of multimedia services on campus.
I concluded that through more communication and collaboration between existing campus multimedia service providers and partners, plus open communication with the clients, IIT could better allocate current multimedia resources on campus for all respective clientele. By combining both financial and human resources and centralizing the efforts to one location, the campus can begin the current and growing need for more multimedia resources and services on campus. However, more in-depth research and assessment of current and future client needs are required to help support the case, while paying particular attention to current faculty skill set, incoming student skill set, and the surrounding community development in the area of technological skill set.
Hypothesis and Objectives
My hypothesis is that centralized multimedia resources and services on IIT's campuses would provide clients with more cost-effective, efficient services than the decentralized multimedia resources and services that are currently provided. Additionally, I plan to make recommendations for the role, staffing, facility usage, and placement of a new centrally located multimedia facility.
The objectives of this research are to obtain insights, determine needs, and list accomplishments for multimedia facility usage currently provided on IIT campuses. I am also collecting information from faculty, students, and staff regarding current usage and projected multimedia needs. Information collected from the research will also help to establish future recommendations for the development of a Multimedia and Instructional Technology (MIT) facility on campus, (currently known as the Digital Media Center), and determine recommendations for current computer and technology resources on campus utilized by participants in the survey. Show less
