COS Guest Column written by Dawna Cozzalio, COS Director of Public Information.

Was it your first TV, your first computer, or your first compact disc that launched you into the technological revolution? In just the last five years, technology has reached farther than we ever dreamed possible. Who would have guessed five years ago that we would be surfing the net or having cyberspace relationships.

Technology of the 21^st Century is no longer a subject of science fiction. It is here now, thrusting all of us into a whirlwind of information. This information and the digital revolution is changing the way we interact, the way we do business, the way teachers teach, and the way students learn. As individuals we make daily decisions that involve this exciting, sometimes intimidating, new technology. How can you reap the benefits more and feel less overwhelmed? By taking advantage of the state-of-the-art capabilities, College of the Siskiyous (COS) offers to students and area professionals. COS has the tools and training necessary to negotiate the world’s technological maze, and can strengthen your education and training.

With technology continuing to climb to new heights every second, it is crucial support be given to all students that ensures an education rich with opportunity today, tomorrow and for years to come.

COS’s investment in state-of-the-art technology also promotes economic vitality in our community and ensures County residents opportunity. By continually upgrading its facilities, COS maintains its role as a vital educational institution and a business resource for the County by offering progressive programs and professional levels of training. Following is only a short description of the technology available at both the Weed and Yreka Campuses:

Local Area Network (LAN) Infrastructure: Fiber optic cables are the basis of the technology that provides COS’s ability to offer up-to-date training to satisfy the growing technology needs of students, faculty and community. The local area networks allow networking of computers campus-wide for information sharing and providing students, faculty, staff and the community the Internet, distance learning opportunities and teleconferencing capabilities. This infrastructure ensures future upgrades of campus technology as advancements are made.

COS as a Virtual College: Installation of the teleconferencing classrooms links our community electronically to others in California and beyond and offer off-campus access to higher education. The "Virtual Campus" allow area professionals and students to tap the educational resources of colleges, universities, and video teleconferencing worldwide. County residents have the option of attending interactive classes from more remote centers, such as the Happy Camp Community Computer Center, with two-way communication capabilities.

Computer Upgrades: Providing area businesses with technically current training programs and thus, technically adept employees, is a major goal of the College’s continual upgrade plans. Upgrading existing computer hardware and software and installing new equipment in offices, computer labs and classrooms provides worldwide web access for students, faculty and staff, with e-mail and other computing capabilities. Faculty have the tools necessary to learn and teach current software applications and students have essential hands-on experience working with a variety of software.

Library Automation: Community professionals and COS students, faculty and staff are able to find more information at their fingertips with an on-line library system. Student’s computer workstations allow easier access to library materials and the World Wide Web. Bar coding equipment enables the library to streamline their services.

Simulator Classrooms: The advanced, high-tech mobile operations simulator is a fully interactive system that focuses on the appropriate procedural tactics in emergency response or mutual-aid situations. The Firearms Training Simulator provides realistically based firearm training involving probable scenarios. Through intensive training the simulation training enhances the trainee’s judgement, cooperation, and teamwork and improves overall skills.

The College of the Siskiyous administration will continue to invest in the state of the art technology to keep Siskiyou County students and professionals on the cutting edge of technology.