Connections Newsletter


What We All Should Know, But Often Don't - Communications Technology Opportunities

Written by Chelsey Hinsenkamp, Jason Jahnke, and Joshua Bartels

In college, there are numerous opportunities to learn different things in different areas that will ultimately be beneficial after graduation. Heads are filled with information. There are multiple courses in the communication department at UW-Whitewater that not only offer the information and knowledge, but also offer a means of using that knowledge practically through projects for class. The school offers access to new technology that is used in creating audio and visual media today.

It is a little known fact that UW-Whitewater has a top of the line digital audio studio, as well as some auxiliary studios, that any communication student can access for class use. Most of the equipment and studios are located in the Andersen Library. There is equipment to check out such as top of the line microphones and recording equipment. Along with the audio side, the video department also offers equipment like video cameras, including some high definition cameras. The video department has a fully operational television studio, as well as individual video editing studios to work on post production. It is necessary to be in an audio/video class to gain access as it is recommended that one has adequate knowledge of how to operate any of these things before diving in head first. That is where the communication department comes in. There are numerous classes in which one can let creativity roam free with either audio production or video production.

UW-Whitewater offers a vast amount of creative software for use on campus. The Whole Adobe Creative Suite can be found in select computer labs, allowing the ability to create new and exciting media.

The Adobe software is cutting edge at delivering the greatest quality tools to allow for the development of any school project one may be working on or for simply feeding that creative itch. The CS4 Creative Suite, which can be found in the Video Production Department in the Andersen Library, includes:

Apple also offers a solid package with its Final Cut Pro Suite that is the industry standard when it comes to creating exciting media for TV, the web, or the big screen.

The Suite includes:

There are a number of different courses available at UW-Whitewater that offer training in these creative applications, including, but not limited to:

There are even classes dealing solely with audio production, Speech 239 for example, for those who may be more interested in radio, or perhaps just a bit camera shy. Finally, with the new Media Arts and Game Design (MAGD) major being introduced Spring 2010, this strong family of creative software will be used and perfected by those jumping into the new Major.

If interested, stop in the Andersen Library, room 1214 and ask to take a look at all the equipment and technology they have to offer. Or simply call the UW-Whitewater Cable Channel 19 for more information at (262) 472-1332.