History and Purpose
The Office of Academic Computing and Information Science was established in March 1998 with a threefold purpose:
- Spearhead the technology initiatives of Wake Forest School of Medicine (WFSM) utilizing the networking and voice communication system infrastructure supported by the Medical Center Information Services department;
- Represent WFSM faculty computing requirements; and
- Coordinate technology activities with the Reynolda Campus.
During fiscal year 1998, students and faculty in the Physician Assistant Program were provided with IBM ThinkPads to introduce technology into the curriculum. This pilot program was successfully deployed, enabling students to electronically access class notes and laboratory exercises through the campus network-by following the lecture on-line or downloading it for later review-and allowing the faculty to advance their technological skills.
To accommodate this new electronic curriculum, extensive renovations were completed to the major lecture halls on E and G floors, the small group rooms on E-floor, and the Interactions rooms within the Nutrition building. Multimedia equipment and networking were installed in classrooms, enabling faculty to present instruction and communicate with students electronically. An Academic Computing Development Center was established on E-Floor Hanes to provide support for computer-based instructional development.