SXU Launches CIDAT Instructional Studio
Saint Xavier University (SXU) recently launched the Center for Instructional Design and Academic Technology (CIDAT) Instructional Studio, designed to create high-quality academic videos for the University. The studio contains state-of-the-art equipment that will help to deliver educational video content to in-person, hybrid and online courses as supplemental material that students will review, revisit and enjoy. Faculty, staff and students are all welcome to use the studio for academic content creation.
The studio is equipped with a TriCaster Mini, a video production system connected to 4K cameras. With the TriCaster, CIDAT staff can record videos, control the cameras and audio, and pair it with the green screen, an ideal setup for short lectures, podcast-style videos, talk show-style videos, and interviews. The studio also contains a lightboard, or glass illuminated chalkboard, which illuminates whatever is written on the glass, perfect for pairing with a slide presentation for annotating, demonstrating solutions to math problems, answering fill-in-the-blank questions, or writing music scores.
The studio is also equipped with remote recording kits, which includes camera, podcasting and smartphone kits. They can be rented out by the SXU community and each kit comes with tools to help facilitate content creation. CIDAT provides tutorials on how to use the equipment. CIDAT staff are thrilled about the impact this technology will make on the SXU community.
"Since the pandemic, we've realized how valuable video in education is. Videos can improve student performance and overall engagement. Instructors can use the studio space to enhance their classrooms as the videos make course content more accessible to students. Everyone learns in different ways, and as a visual learner myself, I know others will benefit greatly from videos created in the studio," said Alma Tovar, instructional multimedia specialist.
CIDAT staff spent several months planning and building the studio with one goal in mind – to introduce technology that aligned with their mission in creating engaging videos to enhance the classroom learning experience for students. The team hand-selected the equipment with students in mind, choosing technology that would bring material to life and empower instructors to present confidently, clearly and effectively.
"The CIDAT studio is full of possibilities. I think we most look forward to making someone's vision come to fruition. Our recent launch was an exciting opportunity to help faculty, staff and students become familiar with the space and equipment and get an opportunity to test the technology firsthand. Some even booked their first sessions," said Tovar.
In the fall, CIDAT will be hosting another Technology Day, where they will provide studio tours and sessions surrounding the software that is available to faculty and staff. CIDAT staff encourages the SXU community to take advantage of these resources get started on enhancing the classroom experience.