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A number of courses call for the use of various software packages in order for students to successfully complete them. It may be a database, spreadsheet, or statistical program with which to analyze data, a sound editing program with which to capture, analyze and repurpose musical files, or a graphics program with which to construct a simulation. No matter which software program is used, the same problem obtains: how, within a quarter system, can one train students to use this software to perform the the requisite tasks?

One could schedule a lab, of course, but when class sizes are large, and support staff is minimal, labs often fail to fulfill both student and instructor expectations. Those students who miss the labs remain perpetually behind, and those who need to work at home often find themselves hopelessly frustrated. Even when the instructor is ready and willing, teaching software in a classroom situation can drain him or her of both energy and time.

This month's guest presenter, Dr. John Gerdes, an Assistant Professor of Information Systems at UC Riverside, has, in our opinion, found a unique solution. Using off-the-shelf software that captures everything that is happening on his computer monitor at the same time as he is explaining both what he is doing and why he is doing it, he created seven hours of computerized, narration instruction. Distributed via CD, these computer-based videos became, for the 100 undergraduate and 38 graduate students in his classes, their lab exercise in the use of Microsoft Access' database program. This CD is self-contained; it includes both homework and test questions. With it his students, working at home, are able to play and replay each lesson, then use the sample databases provided on the disk to perform the exercises.

What makes the CD particularly valuable is that it is so personalized. Students hear their instructor's voice and watch as he demonstrates how to properly use the software. It is almost as though he were teaching them in the lab. On Friday, March 8th, in the Hacienda Room, Dr. Gerdes will talk about and show his "CD Lab", discuss his experiences, and demonstrate how to use the software he employed (Camtasia).

As a special added attraction (and shameless inducement), we will be giving away by raffle three copies of Camtasia and three copies of SoundFoundry's SoundForge.