User:Pennwic/WIC in progress

The David B. Weigle Information Commons (also known as Weigle Information Commons and WIC) is a technology hub located in the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center at the University of Pennsylvania. WIC supports collaborative learning by providing training, resources, and group workspaces equipped with computer and digital technologies. The facility offers group study rooms, data diner booths, and alcove meeting areas. It houses the Class of 1968 Seminar Room and the Vitale Digital Media Lab. WIC sponsors its own workshops and partners with academic-support services to provide instruction and assistance to members of the Penn community.

History


With participation and ongoing funding from the University of Pennsylvania School of Arts and Sciences, the Office of the Provost, and the Penn Libraries, planning for the two-million dollar project began in 2001. . The Information Commons was primarily designed and built by the Boston firm, Ann Beha Architects, and it officially opened in April 2006. . The space was named after David B. Weigle, class of 1969 alumnus, member of the University of Pennsylvania Libraries Board of Overseers, and primary donor for the project.

Facilities
WIC occupies 6600 sqft in the west wing of the first floor of the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center. The space provides seating for approximately 200 and is home to three complementary centers: the College Technology Center, the Vitale Digital Media Lab and the Academic Consulting Services.

The Vitale Digital Media Lab serves as a work center for digital production and editing, and provides one-on-one training and assistance. The lab also lends a variety of equipment such as video cameras, audio recorder, projectors, etc.

The Class of 1968 Seminar Room is used for class meetings, workshops, and training. The Seminar Room seats thirty-five and is equipped with laptop computers.

Program Partners
The Weigle Information Commons is a location for academic consulting services, which offers appointment and walk-in assistance for members of the Penn community. As such, it partners with Penn departments such as Communication Within the Curriculum, the Critical Writing Program, and the Weingarten Learning Resources Center to provide services in public speaking, study strategies and time management, research, and writing.

Workshops, Events and Initiatives
The Weigle Information Commons offers workshops--both in person and online--to faculty, staff, and students of Penn. Those workshops cover a variety of educational technology topics, such as Microsoft Excel, Adobe Photoshop, and how to write a research paper. WIC also hosts special events, both recurring yearly events and one-time presentations.

Events
The WIC hosts several recurring annual events, including the Penn International Experiences Festival, an annual showcase of presentations in which students discuss their experiences living and studying abroad, the Engaging Students Through Technology Symposium, which consists of panel discussions from faculty and undergraduate students, technology sessions, and discussion groups.

Award Programs
WIC also partners with others to provide a series of awards and incentives for various programs which include multimedia and technology components. These include the Hoesley Digital Literacy Fellowship Program, which provides training and support on various technological and digital literacy to a selected group of students over the course of a year, and the Seltzer Family Digital Media Awards, which provide $1,000 grants for the purchase of equipment to support research projects for 5 undergraduate students each year.

National Recognition
ELIXR MERLOT is a grant-funded project which began in 2009 and profiles the work of several Penn faculty in case studies of their work, which include interviews, syllabi, and samples of student work. The project follows the work of Regina Austin (Law School), Peter Decherney (English and Cinema Studies, SAS), Louise Krasniewicz (Anthropology, SAS), Andrew Lamas (Urban Studies, SAS), and Jacqui Sadashige (Center for Programs in Critical Writing, SAS).

The Mashup Contest is an annual contest for students to create a short video on any subject they choose, and both the contest and its winners have received national recognition from organizations such as the New Media Consortium.