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Center for Teaching

Digital Media Lab

graphic of the digital media lab logoCFT Digital Media Lab, located in room 012 of the Digital Commons building at 1101 19th Ave. South, provides guidance, instruction, and resources to all university instructors, regardless of technology experience, who want to improve their technology skills and incorporate media into their teaching.

CFT digital media specialists consult with instructors to help them think through the design, development, and implementation of digital media elements to support student learning.

The Digital Media Lab provides help and guidance around a variety of pedagogical applications of digital media, including:

  • Video Production – For instructors interested in flipping their classrooms or having students produce digital videos as part of assignments
  • Audio Production – For instructors interested in creating class podcasts, perhaps with students contributing original audio content
  • Graphic Design – For instructors interested in promoting visual thinking via more dynamic diagrams, charts, and photos for use in presentations by instructors or students
  • Web Design – For instructors interested in building websites or blogs that provide authentic audiences for student writing and other projects

Photo of the video editing suite, production studio an audio station

Who can use the lab?

Consistent with the CFT’s mission, the Digital Media Lab is a faculty professional development space. This means that the instructor or faculty member must be working on course materials and they must be the person actually doing the work. Faculty are not permitted to send students or staff on their behalf to do the work or send students to complete course assignments. (However, instructors are encouraged to bring teaching assistants or other support staff with them to help with their productions.)

How do I reserve time in the lab?

The lab is open M-F, 8:30am – 4:30pm. We are in the process of creating an online reservation system. In the meantime, please contact seth.shepherd@vanderbilt.edu to reserve the spaces.

Where can I park?

You can park in any of the annual permit staff parking lots. There are a couple that are close to the Digital Commons. This map indicates the nearest parking lots.

What kind of help will I receive?

One-on-one instruction

No prior skills, knowledge, or experience is required to use the lab. The CFT Digital Media Specialists will take as much time as required to teach you anything you’d like to learn about digital media and everything you’ll need to know to successfully complete your project. Come in and discover how you can improve your technology skills and make your course content more engaging!

Consultations

Have a teaching challenge that you imagine digital media might help answer? Have you seen or heard about an application or a tool that looks potentially useful in your teaching, but you don’t know where to start? Have you tried some technology in class and want to reconsider how you use it or if there are other, better options? An in-person consultation might be a good place to start.  Call 322-7290 to schedule a consultation.

Workshops

Ready to roll-up your sleeves and dig into digital media creation? Our hands-on workshops introduce you to media tools you can use in your teaching. They are intended to help you begin to feel comfortable using software and equipment as you begin to think about new ways you can leverage technology in your class. Check back here for more details about the workshops we’ll be offering.

Topics will include:

  • Creating a podcast
  • Flipping your classroom using video
  • Making more visually dynamic presentations
  • Editing images and creating diagrams using Photoshop
  • Introduction to video editing

The One Button Studio

If you need a simple way to create some quick videos, the CFT also offers The One Button Studio (OBS). This facility, located in the Baker building, houses a simple video recording setup that can be used without any previous video production experience. The design of the studio allows you to create high-quality and polished video projects without having to know anything about lights and cameras. You only need to bring your flash drive with you and push a single button. If it’s your first time using the OBS, the CFT’s digital media specialists will be happy to orient you to its use. Learn more about the CFT’s One Button Studio.

Meet the Digital Media Specialists

 

Tracye Davis joined the Center for Teaching as a Digital Media Specialist in Summer 2021. She works in the CFT’s production facilities assisting faculty in their media projects, updates the CFT website, and facilitates workshops on production technology. Tracye holds a BS in Mass Communication with a focus in media production and minoring in Graphic Design from Jackson State University. She will also be enrolled at Belmont University this fall to complete her Master’s. Prior to her position with the CFT, Tracye worked in television production for Mississippi Public Broadcasting and created content with Howard University Athletics. In her spare time, Tracye does photography and videography for various artists.
 

Seth Shepherd joined the Center for Teaching at a Digital Media Specialist in Summer 2021. He works in the CFT’s production facilities to assist faculty in their media projects, publishes content for the CFT website, and hosts workshops on production technology. Prior to his position with the center, Seth worked as a mentor for Nashville Public Library’s teen makerspace and as a freelance video producer. He brings experience in video production, podcasting, and live streaming to the CFT. Seth holds a BS in Journalism and Cinema Studies from University of Tennessee-Knoxville.