Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC)

7 connected WITC sites in Wisconsin

Dascom has been part of the WITC team for nearly 10 years keeping WITC current with the latest AV technology

“Dascom’s quality products, customer service and product support are what keeps the students learning, the instructors teaching and the staff communicating.”   – Wayne Erdman, Instructional Television Specialist, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

Connecting Classrooms and Campuses

The instructors and students at WITC are probably not aware of the countless hours and precise integration of the technology required to make it possible for students in Rice Lake, Superior and New Richmond, Wisconsin, to take an Occupational Therapy Assistant class from the instructor, located in Superior, Wisconsin. In addition, the faculty and staff utilize audiovisual technology for meetings and training sessions, saving the college from both travel and windshield time expenses.

Wayne Erdman, the Instructional Television Specialist at WITC, the distance learning staff, and all those that provide technical assistance at the campuses work together to make sure classes and meetings are seamless and successful. Connecting classrooms, campuses, and conference rooms is a team effort.  A large part of that team is Dascom Systems Group.

“If it wasn’t for the guidance and support of Dascom, our remote campus locations and outreach centers would not have the cohesiveness and success they currently do,” said Holly Scharf, Director of Video Networking at WITC.

A Realistic In-The-Room Experience

WITC and Dascom ensure that the AV technology and distance learning tools are properly customized to create a realistic “in the room experience.”  Seamless integration allowing for collaboration keeps eager students literally coming back for more and instructors able to share knowledge on a scale not otherwise attainable.  The location of students and instructors is no longer a limitation or a barrier to educate with distance learning.  WITC’s seven locations are all connected.   These tools are for the administration as well.  Faculty and staff in remote and other off-campus locations connect in an efficient manner that has a positive impact on the bottom line.

AV Enhances Lectures and Presentations

One of Wayne’s goals is for the teacher to have easy to use AV technology to enhance their lectures.  Teachers not only demand the functionality of the AV equipment but also want it to fade into the background so that students focus solely on the material and not the medium.  “Computer based presentations are a primary resource for our teachers,” said Wayne.  Computers and web-based content are commonplace in educational institutions from kindergarten to college.   A high definition monitor is today’s blackboard.  It is how students learn and teachers teach.

More than just Equipment

High quality audiovisual equipment makes this possible.  But it is more than the equipment. The WITC team of technicians who install and maintain the equipment are critical in the process.  Dascom is part of that technical team.

“We call on Dascom for product support — simple questions, complex questions, any question. Dascom understands our needs, listens and provides excellent product support.  We rely on their expertise and responsiveness.”

While the evolution of AV technology continues at a fast pace, WITC is not left behind.

“Dascom is not our vendor, Dascom is our partner.   I don’t know of a company that can match Dascom’s support.”- Wayne Erdman