Under former HSPH Dean and now University Provost Harvey Fineberg, the university has set up the Provost Fund for Innovation in Instructional Computing and Distance Learning to support distance learning. Members of any of the university's schools can apply for money by submitting descriptions of their proposed projects. HSPH has already received one of the largest grants from the fund. Afterwards, in a forward-thinking stroke, Markatos completely replaced the data network infrastructure at the school to make it capable of carrying quality video transmissions and other information. The groundwork for distance learning was laid.
Distance learning is a bit of a catch-all phrase.
Specifically it means allowing students to electronically take courses off-site. But often it's used to convey a bevy of ideas about technologically enhanced education, such as web-based learning and video conferencing. At HSPH, many of these components are being worked on. IT gets an average of one call each week from people looking to use the technology that hasn't been announced yet, said Markatos, which signals its demand. Portable units have been purchased and permanent ones will be installed in rooms such as Snyder Auditorium, but both Sardam and Markatos stressed that, for now, video conferencing at HSPH is in a testing phase.