Desktop Publishing/Graphic Design
VCOMM realizes desktop publishing services are an important communication tool for the college, and we will expand the range of services already offered by the Virtual Technology Center. VTC aims to be a one-stop solution for our customers. Every stage of the design process can be handled by our staff, starting with logo concepts to document layout and lastly, printing. The office also is able to facilitate large format printing for poster-size presentation material. Printed on photo-grade, high-gloss paper and using durable, longlasting inks, posters look vibrant and stand out amongst a sea of other presentations. Whether it is high-volume promotional brochures to prospective students or a specialized poster needed for an upcoming conference, the VCOMM group is ready to meet the desktop publishing needs of its clientele.

Examples of work developed in the VTC: http://nsmit.nsm.uh.edu/services/web_dtp.htm

Videoconferencing
The Virtual Technology Center offers different collaborative tools providing everything from standard instant messaging technology to interactive whiteboard sharing. These options offer a completely co-active work environment without having to be in the same room. Some areas use the software for simple screen-sharing capabilities, while others have even taken this a bit further and have begun offering completely Web-based tutoring sessions for their students. This allows students to be at home and have their questions answered by the tutoring staff. The VTC hopes to leverage this technology to advance distance education opportunities for NSM and bring the classroom to any student, anywhere.

VSTATION
The VSTATION is the latest tool developed by VTC to help bring UH resources and services to its customers. While it may seem like just another Internet-enabled kiosk, the VSTATION offers even greater functionality. Students can use the large display to see important updates and NSM news briefs. They also can use the VSTATION to scan and/or print homework assignments, or even modify and submit their homework utilizing the USB flash drive connector. Another important feature is the ability to receive live video technical support from the NSMIT front desk. This same technology also will be used to facilitate interaction between students and advising personnel. Students will use videoconferencing software to hold meetings with advisors or to even ask a few quick questions about their concerns. Ultimately, the VSTATION will be another point of contact for students, staff, and faculty and will humanize the online interaction with one another, again bridging communication between all groups.

Web Presence
The Web is an invaluable tool for the VCOMM group. While we currently design, host, and maintain several UH Web sites, the next step will be to restructure NSM’s online presence to be more robust by making all content community driven. The first step is to deploy a content management system(CMS) that will allow permissible NSM staff to update information without the need to contact VCOMM group members. Whether it is a news update or simply a grammatical change, nontechnical staff will have the ability to change content without affecting the layout.

We also want to improve the user experience when visiting NSM-related Web sites by not only adding more interactive content (form submission, polls, forum communities) but also provide seamless integration with VNet resources (VClass streaming course videos, VPortfolio records, submission of poster printing jobs, etc.). NSM’s Web presence also will move toward building a greater social community. Through a normal Web browser, users can customize their VDesktop further by creating a personalized homepage/blog while a browser-based chat client will allow them to instantly communicate with other users. Essentially, the Web is what will help populate VSTATION content as well as provide a platform for everything from information updates to electronic document submission to even video chat.