Applied learning. Experience-based education. Student-centered instruction.
Regardless of what you call it, the approach to how we educate our students is transforming. And Wichita State stands out as the leader.
The following is a monthly roundup of applied learning stories created by Strategic Communications, the Office of Admissions and other WSU groups.
WSU students invent temporary biometric tracking tattoo
Wichita State students Jared Goering, Ryan Becker and Spencer Steinert are working
together to positively impact lives through wearable technology. Together they created
a product called Cyfive and have been perfecting it for the past three years.
Cyfive is a biometric tracking temporary tattoo that lasts around three days after being applied to the skin, and it is able to track a person's heart rate. The tattoo transfers the heart rate information to an app on the user's smart phone. The product's simplicity beats any biometric tracking device that is on the market, Goering says.
“It's like a regular tattoo that you put on with water; the only difference is the ink,” says Goering. “It resonates under radio frequencies, and then we can pick up that signal that it resonates through algorithms which is then converted into heart rate.”
Students gain career experience through NBC World Series
The National Baseball Congress World Series is 16 days of scanning tickets, running
the bubble ball promotion, energy drinks and dirty dugouts.
For seven Wichita State sport management practicum students, it's 15-hour days (more with rain delays) that can provide career clarity. Working in sports often means opening early and working well after the fans leave. Filling water coolers in dugouts and setting up tables is more a part of the job than watching games or hanging with superstars.
“There will be a lot of odd, random tasks, whether it be checking bathrooms for paper towels, cleaning up trash throughout the concourse, fixing banners and advertisements,” said sophomore Caleb Janzen. “You see what aspects you do like and what aspects you don't like. You've got to learn about the hard work and the long hours.”
Q&A: Get started early with Career Development Center
We
We talked with interim executive director Sara Muzzy, student engagement manager Kiley
Burris and Kim Kufahl, assistant director – student engagement and branding about
the Career Development Center's mission helping students find careers.
WSU grad is no stranger to the spotlight
Julius Thomas III graduated from Wichita State in 2005. While here, he took advantage
of all the opportunities he could as a musical theater and dance major. That experience
helped prepare him for his future, which now includes performing in the touring Broadway
show "Hamilton: The Musical."
Shock Doc: Ascha Lee, communication major
Video by Julian Liby, Office of Admissions
Wichita State communication major, Ascha Lee, is actively taking the research, knowledge,
and skills she's gained in the classroom and applying them to an outside project.
By taking the initiative to expand on an assignment from class, Ascha is stepping
out of her comfort zone, but also realizing how far she's come during her time as
a Shocker.
Shared spaces introduce students to collaboration
The operating room is a shared space with high stakes and a need for precision, communication
and cooperation.
It helps to practice with gloves and gowns on. Over and over again, if necessary.
At WSU Old Town, physician assistant students from Wichita State work and study in the building with WSU Tech students. The co-location of institutions creates opportunities for faculty and students to share experiences, lessons and equipment.
John Tomblin discusses how WSU's applied learning models are attracting attention
John Tomblin, WSU vice president for Research and Technology Transfer and executive
director of the National Institute for Aviation Research, sat down with Strategic
Communications' Paul Suellentrop to discuss his recent trip to a weeklong international
trade exhibition and WSU's unique applied learning models.
Shock Doc: Brandon Eckerman, biomedical engineering major
Video by Julian Liby, Office of Admissions
Brandon Eckerman is a third-year biomedical engineering major at Wichita State. Through
a NASA grant, he's helping with research on a non-invasive electromagnetic skin patch
sensor with the goal of looking at physiological parameters within the body.
Q&A with Justin Rorabaugh of Shocker Studios
Shocker Studios director Justin Rorabaugh looks out of his office at Shocker Studios
and sees many innovation and collaboration possibilities. There are new studios and
sound systems, creative spaces under construction and many opportunities to learn
and work in the state-of-the-art sound, video and animation studios.
Professional Edge Program helps students build networks
Nathan Hayden admits he needed polish when he started Wichita State's Professional
Edge Program in the W. Frank Barton School of Business. Now in his third semester
in Professional Edge, Hayden understands the polish needed to start a search for a
job and career. The Professional Edge Program is free and open to all undergraduate
business majors.