September 11, 2012

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Tuesday, September 11, 2012 twitter.com/@msureporter

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Minnesota State University, Mankato

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9/11 Global Perspective

Has America’s viewpoint changed after 11 years?

• web photo MSU is one of the first institutions to utilize the newest version of the TelePresence system.

Teaching in Two Places at Once

TelePresence system branches classrooms in Edina and Mankato ELISE KONERZA

news editor • web photo Politicians are excluded from speaking at 2012’s memorial event as families show concern that political struggles have hindered the building the Sept. 11 museum.

SAM WILMES

staff writer

On the 11th anniversary of 9/11, it is important to remember the attack’s victims — the firefighters, the police, those who worked in the Twin Towers and the volunteers who sacrificed their lives. We were united in tragedy. Jews, Muslims, atheists and Christians died on that horrific day. Since then, we have faced many challenges — two wars, terroristic threats and a sense of freedom lost. Unity did not last long. Muslims, who also died on Sept. 11 were easy targets for blind anger. Hate crimes against Muslims increased by 1,600 percent in a single

year. More than 481 hate crimes against Muslims were reported in 2001. In the years since, a proposed mosque in Tennessee caused a hate-filled counter reaction. Hate groups have since prospered. Hate group monitors estimate that there are more than 1,000 active hate organizations in the United States today. Sept. 11 is considered the number one reason behind their growth. The Kearney International Center here at MSU makes it possible for students to learn more about other cultures. Although it doesn’t specifically talk about religion, the center focuses on “Promoting global awareness, interna-

Global / page 3

This fall nursing students returned to class with a virtual spin on the everyday classroom. Entering the “classroom,” whiteboards and uncomfortable desk chairs are a thing of the past welcoming in a discussion-like atmosphere and close quarters with Minnesota State University, Mankato’s sister university in Edina. MSU has been contemplating new technology to branch the Twin Cities university with its home in Mankato for about seven years. The TelePresence system had been merely used as a business tool for executive boards and wasn’t quite ready to transform an everyday classroom. The Cisco TelePresence TX9200 system has taken the place of Wissink Hall 116 for three months practicing its contemporary technology and high definition interface with nursing students in Jean Humphries nursing research class. Classroom Tech Support, Matt Clay, said students can virtually

run class on the remote side, and all that teacher’s need to do is call and connect to the remote side of class. Clay said this technology transforms the old system of a classroom where students cannot look across to see other students and be engaged in interactive conversation, debate and dialogue. “If we eliminate the walls of the classroom, soon people from anywhere in the world can be in contact with the University,” Clay said. One detriment to the system is that whiteboards cannot be used with the system. However, Apple Ipads and laptops can be plugged in to a Cisco tablet to take the average everyday whiteboard to the next level. “This takes away from the old type of technology,” Clay said. Bryan Schneider, Director of Technical Services, said teachers now have the ability to be more engaged with students in a closer atmosphere and can call on students virtually only a couple rows away, rather than the back row. “TelePresence is part of a broader orientation, a pedagogical strategy,” Jude Higdon, assistant

HOW TO SPEND YOUR IN MANKATO STUDENTS APPEAR IN SUMMER SHORT PLAY FESTIVAL PAGE 9

chief information officer at academic technology services, said. As more course material is assigned online, future projections predict that more work in careers will also be done online. The TelePresence system is a tool in which students can adapt to higher technology and use it in the future with ease and experience. Student Health Services is taking advantage of this new technology expanding on “Telemedicine.” Patients can virtually sit with a doctor and undergo a medical examination over the screen, and with its high definition formatting, it’s easy to see dilated eyes and abnormal skin colors. “How do we make the distance disappear?” Higdon said. Cognitively, socially and behaviorally, students can practice engaging conversation with students in the Twin Cities that feels like the person is actually sitting across the table from you. Students in the Twin Cities who need these courses now have the opportunity to take these virtual courses closing the gap on the two campuses.

TelePresence / page 5 SPORTS

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September 11, 2012 by MSU Reporter - Issuu