When I compare the technology used by my undergraduate professors 25 years ago to what we use today, I’m amazed at how things have changed and have affected the way courses are taught. Today’s student is busier than ever, taking more classes, working while in school and therefore has higher expectations of professors. At Central Connecticut State University, the School of Business uses technology to meet those expectations by delivering the information that business students need--in the right place and at the right time.

CCSU provides a great campus-wide technology infrastructure upon which the Business School can build specialized technology-based solutions for their students. Business students have different needs than students in other schools. They need ready access to current news, financial data, information about companies, as well as a number of other specialized data. The School of Business, through support provided by the university and our alumni, has made substantial investments in technology. We believe that technology provides a very cost-effective way to supplement student learning, and enhance faculty teaching and research.

There are a number of specific technologies that are used, or are being planned, to enhance learning outcomes within the School of Business. They include:

·         The Financial Technology Center –The FTC in the Vance Academic Center provides an environment where, using financial databases and technologies, students can learn about all facets of stock trading and investing, enhancing their knowledge of financial markets, and preparing them for the business world.

·         Public Areas of the Vance Academic Center – Digital signs have been installed to provide students with immediate access to news, stock prices, and a wealth of other business-related data conveniently located in public areas.

·         Marketing Research Lab – Proposed for the 2008-09 academic year, the Marketing Research Lab will better prepare students to work in ad agencies, radio stations, and corporate-based marketing departments by teaching them how to use state-of-the-art marketing technologies.

·         Collaborative Technologies and Decision Support Lab – In today’s dispersed and global workplace, employees must often collaborate over large distances, whether it is in the next building or around the world. The Management Information Systems program will, in 2008-09, offer students hands-on learning experiences with collaboration technologies.

·         While not a technology, a valuable resource is dedicated Business School academic technology support staff.  This is a key component to keeping all of the technologies optimized to deliver the best student learning outcomes, and is being proposed starting academic year 2008-2009.

Our technology upgrade project is well underway; however, it is not a one-shot infusion of resources that will keep the Business School current. Rather, it will be continuous upgrading that allows us to deliver the best for CCSU Business School students.  The Business School actively seeks the support and input of its alumni and friends to enhance and improve its use of technology in this ever-changing technological world! Feel free to contact us for a tour or more information about our school and its technology.