Isenberg and Microsoft Team Up to Deliver
Trans-Atlantic Business Education

Wed., Mar 23, 2005 Microsoft Research's Learning Sciences and Technology group and the UMass Amherst Isenberg School of Management have initiated a research project with the National University of Ireland, Galway to deliver a cross-cultural, collaborative offering of the course SOM 210: Introduction to Business Information Systems. The project will enable opportunities for real-time communication and research collaboration among students from both campuses. Using ConferenceXP, a group of technologies currently under development by Microsoft, Professor Gino Sorcinelli delivered the first successful implementation of the course this spring.

ConferenceXP technology works in wireless networks, utilizes the computing power of Tablet PCs, and delivers videoconferencing capabilities from a desktop PC.

Sorcinelli's goals for combining ConferenceXP technology with the business courses are to: 1.) provide students with a wireless, interactive lecture environment; 2.) allow "guest lecturers" from Ireland, Microsoft Research, and leaders from local and regional businesses to address course participants; 3.) permit real-time communication and research collaboration among members of student teams from the Isenberg School and NUI Galway; and 4.) create a test bed for analysis and evaluation of how ConferenceXP and Tablet technology can be used to facilitate the achievement of student-centered learning goals.

Microsoft Research funded Sorcinelli's work with a $108K gift. The company has been a loyal supporter of UMass Amherst research, particularly in Engineering, Business and Computer Science. Contact Gino Sorcinelli (545-5636) to learn more about using Tablets and ConferenceXP in the classroom. Contact Karen Hayes, ILED, (545-2706) to learn how you can connect with Microsoft's university research initiatives.

This articled appeared in the UMass Research ACCESS Newsletter.