What to do (regarding EdTech) in the financial downturn

The Caltech endowment has dropped significantly since Melany Hunt first thought about setting up an EdTech committee. Substantial increases in expenditure on classroom technology at Caltech over the coming two years is improbable. Our committee is, of course, concerned with the long term. This note, however, only addresses the coming two years.

Caltech should utilize the NewMedia Classroom. It has excellent features and support. I think it's unlikely that Caltech can purchase the same sort of equipment for another classroom in the short term.

When I brought up the idea of acquiring funds for a NewMedia Classroom for our new IST (Information Science and Technology) building with the faculty responsible for the building, the reaction was cold. This reaction was primarily because of the cost of maintainance. The discussions of our committee have also highlighted the problems and costs of mantainance. The NewMedia Classroom is, however, maintained well. So despite its limitations (small size, no restrooms, no ramp) we should use it over the coming two years, report our experiences, and analyze its technology. This will prepare us for getting appropriate classroom technology when the endowment does get back to its earlier peak.

   -- Mani