University Business - March 2009 - (Page 50)

W H AT ' S N E W Looking for higher-education technology products and services? Start here. Edited by Michele Herrmann Portable Projection Screen The E-Z Cinema Floor Pull-Up Projection Screen by Elite Screens may seem cumbersome at first due to its large size, but this portable screen weighs around 20 pounds. The matte white screen, designed to be durable and easy to clean, contains a 160-degree diffusion angle so a presentation can be clearly viewed by all in attendance at an event, even those sitting on the side. There are two versions. The EZ Cinema has single boom support for its 60- to 120-inch sizes, while the 135- to 150-inch sizes are double boom; it comes in 4.3:9 and 16:9 aspect ratios. The EZ Cinema Plus is designed with a scissor-back cross rising support that allows for it to stand on its own; it has 1.1:9, 4.3:9, and 16:9 aspect ratios, and screen sizes range from 60 inches to 100 inches. Pricing starts at $699. Visit www.elitescreens.com. Early Alert about At-Risk Students Nine Ways for eLearning in One Suite The Adobe eLearning Suite, a set of nine main software applications, gives users specific tools to develop and deliver rich learning experiences via web, mobile device, desktop PC, or learning management system. Each application aids in authoring specific visual or audio effects. Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended offers new features for working with 3D imagery and motion-based content, while Adobe Soundbooth CS4 helps with polishing voiceovers and adding sound effects. Other tools include Adobe Flash CS4 Professional with Learning Interactions, Adobe Dreamweaver CS4 with CourseBuilder, Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro, Adobe Bridge CS4, Adobe Device Central CS4, and Adobe Presenter 7. Also, Adobe Captivate 4, the suite’s cornerstone, aids in creating interactive content such as scenario-based training, quizzes, and video demonstrations and in customizing a table of contents. Educational pricing for the suite is $599. Adobe Captivate 4 is also sold separately, available to educational users for $249. Visit www.adobe.com. Hobsons’ Early Alert software enables users to gather data about at-risk students from faculty and other campus sources in one location. Users then can quickly identify those students for early intervention. The software’s communications module stores this information and can also send automated e-mails to recipients that list the academic challenges a student is facing. The solution also has a built-in survey that can assess and address student challenges. Pricing varies based on need, but base offerings can start at $17,500. Learn more at www .hobsons-us.com. Projector Promotes USB Connectivity The HD-compatible NP62 digital projector from NEC Display Solutions can be used solely with a USB thumb drive, thus eliminating the need to have a laptop on hand for operation. Images can also be sent directly from a phone or computer using an optional Bluetooth adapter. Weighing just over 3 pounds, the projector offers 3000 lumens of brightness and a 1600:1 contrast ratio. At 1024x768 XGA native resolution, it projects sharp images while, at the same, remaining quiet while in use. Its automatic focus instantly detects a blurry image and fixes it, while the AutoSense feature can sync the projector with most computer signals. Automatic vertical keystone correction instantly projects a square image, even when the projector is set up at an angle. It costs $1,999. Visit www.necdisplay.com. 50 | March 2009 universitybusiness.com http://www.elitescreens.com http://www.hobsons-us.com http://www.hobsons-us.com http://www.adobe.com http://www.necdisplay.com http://www.universitybusiness.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of University Business - March 2009

University Business - March 2009
Contents
Editor's Note
Company Index
Advisory Board
College Index
Behind the News
Human Resources
Viewpoint
Money Matters
Special Report: Higher Ed and the Economy
Helping the Help Desk
Acts of Adaptation
10 Questions & Answers About the Cloud
What's New
End Note

University Business - March 2009