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Without relinquishing their traditional function as
information repositories, academic libraries are increasingly
embracing the role of producers and publishers of knowledge. At
Case, this change has been brought home with the creation of a
state-of-the-art information technology center in Kelvin Smith
Library—a facility where the production of digital materials
supports interactive approaches to learning, teaching, and
research.
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Perspective Sketch, Hasenstab Architects, The Samuel B. and
Marian K. Freedman
Digital Library, Language Learning, and Multimedia Services
Center |
The Samuel B. and Marian K. Freedman Digital Library,
Language Learning, and Multimedia Services Center owes its
existence to the generosity of the two Case alumni for whom it
is named. Mr. Freedman graduated from Adelbert College in 1937
with a bachelor’s degree in economics; Mrs. Freedman graduated
that same year from Flora Stone Mather College with a bachelor’s
degree in English. On September 8, the couple hosted the
Center’s dedication ceremony, which featured remarks by
university leaders and tours of the facility.
The Freedman Center is also the result of an ongoing
collaboration between KSL (the managing partner), Arts and
Sciences, and the Instructional Technology and Academic
Computing (ITAC) department of Case Information Technology
Services. It was designed to provide users with the equipment
and expertise they need to take their ideas “from inspiration to
presentation”; to transform language learning at Case through
multimedia tools; and to enhance adaptive technology services
for people with visual impairments by equipping workstations
with devices that magnify and read aloud from texts.
“Multimedia can be defined as the computer- delivered
combination of a large range of communication modes—text, sound,
graphics, images, animation, moving pictures, and so on,”
explained University Librarian Joanne Eustis. “Each element has
advantages in a learning situation.” With the opening of the
Freedman Center, all members of the Case community will be able
to gather materials (such as photographs, audio clips, and video
footage), capture them digitally, and integrate them in DVDs or
other formats
Even experienced users of information technology will be
surprised and impressed by the Freedman Center’s capabilities.
Alongside traditional 8.5” x 14” scanners, for instance, the
Center boasts a medium-format scanner that can handle maps,
atlas pages, and posters; thanks to an adapter that lights
images from above, it can also digitize x-rays, CAT scans, and
transparencies. Film, slide, and high-speed document scanners
are also part of the technological mix.
On tours of the Freedman Center, staff introduce visitors to
the “multimedia monolith,” a console of equipment that can
capture any form of media output— including the sound produced
by records (all speeds), cassette tapes, 1/4-inch reel-to-reel
tapes, and the audio tracks of videos and DVDs—and incorporate
it into curricular materials or course projects.
When Arts and Sciences first became involved in planning for
the Freedman Center, the goal was to upgrade its Language
Resource Center, located in Guilford House and operated by the
department of modern languages and literatures. Peter Yang,
associate professor of German and Chinese, received a Provost
Opportunity Grant to fund the upgrade. Former dean Samuel M.
Savin then approved the creation of an advisory committee, led
by associate dean Stephen Haynesworth and former department
chair Marie Lathers, to develop a detailed plan.
As it happened, Joanne Eustis, also a member of that
committee, had just received a Provost Opportunity Grant of her
own, to develop what would become the Freedman Center. At her
suggestion, Arts and Sciences combined its efforts (and grant)
with the library’s, making the language learning facility an
integral part of the KSL project. William Siebenschuh, interim
chair of modern languages and literatures, worked with the
library to bring the project to completion.
Thanks to the partnership between KSL and the College, the
Freedman Center includes a Language Learning area with online
access to self-study courses as well as departmental course
tools. Instead of just listening to traditional instructional
tapes, students can play CD-ROMs at any one of 22 workstations,
record assignments online, or even conduct videoconferences with
people in other countries—a way of practicing their language
skills in authentic, real-time contexts.
According to Thomas Knab, chief information officer in Arts
and Sciences, “Language learning will be galvanized when faculty
members in modern languages and literatures, library staff, Arts
and Sciences personnel trained in language acquisition, and ITAC
staff work together to use and create digital multimedia
materials for education and scholarship.” In the short term,
Justin Locsei, acting manager of the Language Learning area, has
collaborated with faculty and staff to prepare the new facility
and online features for classes this fall.
“The Freedman Center will serve as a platform for global
communication and presentation from Case,” Knab said. “By
merging equipment, collections, and personnel, it will provide a
range of new services with the capability of connecting
students, educators, and scholars around the world. It is
critical to the College’s plans to offer advanced instructional
and communications technology integrated with support services
for all of our faculty and students.”
The Freedman Center, located on the first floor of KSL, is
open to all faculty, students, and staff with a valid Case ID.
For more information, visit
http://library.case.edu/ksl/admin/ multimedia/.
THREE A&S
FACULTY NAMED INAUGURAL FREEDMAN CENTER FELLOWS
The Freedman Center Fellows Program was established by KSL,
ITAC, and the University Center for Innovation in Teaching and
Education (UCITE) to showcase the Freedman Center’s potential
and encourage faculty to use its facilities. Three Freedman
Center Fellows will be named annually. They will receive a
summer stipend to assist them in redesigning undergraduate
academic courses, incorporating technologies and building
teaching tools that support the development of information and
research skills.
The inaugural Freedman Center Fellows are three professors
from Arts and Sciences:
- Kimberly Emmons, assistant professor, English — Emmons
has revised ENGL 310: “The History of the English Language.”
As a Freedman Center Fellow, she developed a series of
course modules that introduce students to many of the
library and electronic resources available for the study of
English.
- Kelly McMann, assistant professor, political science —
With her Freedman Center Fellowship, McMann has revised her
course POSC 362: “Politics of Central Asia.” She has
prepared guidelines for Internet research for course
projects and designed multiple research exercises that
incorporate the resources of the Freedman Center.
- Catherine Scallen, associate professor, art history and
art — Scallen will incorporate extensive research-based,
collaborative, and multimedia-based learning into her SAGES
University Seminar, “Art the Mirror of Art 1400- 1789.” She
will use the Freedman Center Fellowship funds to assist
students with the development of multimedia class
presentations and to improve their thinking, research,
writing, and oral presentation skills.
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