In the end, the students are learning more, prerequisites for the course are reinforced, and more interaction with the faculty and fellow students from varied backgrounds is increased. Multimedia Presentations is a solution to many of the problems we face in teaching multi-disciplinary courses. The other emerging technologies are not as mature as multimedia. ATMs, wireless LANs, groupware, etc. are still expensive and require steep learning curves to get them implemented in the classroom. This is where partnerships with industry are necessary.
Industry is in a constant search for alpha and beta testers for their emerging technologies.
By offering up your school and department to test products you will get emerging technologies into the classroom and lab rooms with a nominal cost.