Morgridge Receives Cisco Telepresence Systems
THE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER'S MORGRIDGE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION RECEIVES CISCO TELEPRESENCE
SYSTEMS
State-of-the-art technology will enhance 21st Century Classroom capabilities through greater collaboration
DENVER - The University of Denver's Morgridge College of Education will be at home anywhere in the world with two new Cisco TelePresence systems. Through a $200,000 gift from the Morgridge Family Foundation's 21st Century Classroom Collaboration Grant Program, the Morgridge College of Education will have the ability for students and teachers anywhere in the world to interact in an innovative and immersive classroom and research experience. Morgridge will be the only College of Education in the nation to have the technology.
Cisco TelePresence technology provides high-definition video and spatial audio in a setup designed to link two physically separated rooms so they resemble a single conference room -- even though the two rooms may be on opposite sides of the world.
"The Cisco TelePresence system supports our initiative of creating an educational experience with the ability to connect resources, people and research in an interactive, face-to-face learning environment that allows the college to interact and share content with anyone, anywhere," says Gregory Anderson, dean of the Morgridge College of Education. "It also allows us to create new educational opportunities, such as global classrooms, and enhances the way we educate and share academic expertise," he says.
Virtual learning environments also support DU's goal of being socially responsible. "We can extend our reach without having an impact on our environment. The Cisco TelePresence system can reduce travel time, expense and carbon footprint, while it allows for global classrooms, academic sharing and even attracting new students across the city or across the world," Anderson says. Additionally, he says this gift will have a positive impact on current and future students and is a step closer to the goal of making Denver and DU the "hub of innovation and educational transformation" in the nation.
"We are incredibly proud of the Morgridge College of Education and support their innovative vision to provide 21st Century professional development for educators," says Carrie Morgridge. "This tool will allow the University to be a global collaborator."
The Cisco TelePresence systems will be located in Katherine A. Ruffatto Hall; soon to be the new home of the Morgridge College of Education. The building, currently being constructed, is slated for completion in June 2010.
