Kennesaw State’s Distance Learning Center recognized for advances in closed captioning
New system improves access to courses for deaf and hearing impaired
KENNESAW, Ga.
(Aug 2, 2018) — Following a yearlong effort to increase course access to deaf and hearing-impaired
students, Kennesaw State University today received Campus Technology Magazine’s Impact Award in IT Infrastructure and Systems. The award is given annually to an
institution that has made an extraordinary impact with technology on campus.
Kennesaw State’s Distance Learning Center and University Information Technology Services (UITS) were recognized for developing a simpler, more cost-effective closed captioning
solution for faculty who upload videos and audio files for online learners. Through
an existing partnership with video platform Kaltura Media Space and Ceilo24, a captioning
software, faculty can now quickly create, edit and share videos in from single location.
The program, which officially launched in 2017, has since been implemented at more
than 30 institutions within the University System of Georgia.
“Interest in online programs has grown exponentially in recent years, and it has been
important for us at Kennesaw State to be cognizant of ways we can ensure all of our
students have the same level of access to online material,” said Jim Cope, recently
retired executive director of the Distance Learning Center. “Using our new integrated
system, creating high quality closed captioning for deaf and hearing-impaired students
has never been easier. I applaud my staff, UITS and our vendors for working diligently
to advance our mission.”
Kennesaw State was selected for the Impact Award by a panel of higher education technology leaders who judged submissions based on
uniqueness and impact, with a focus on how projects are making a difference both to
the institution and higher education in general. The project will be featured in Campus
Technology’s digital magazine.
“It is an honor to be recognized for these efforts,” said Tamara Powell, interim executive
director of Technology Enhanced Learning. “I applaud our Academic Web Accessibility
team, Jordan Cameron and Megan Gibbs.”
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers close to 200 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
