x 22 - Sunday, May 20, 1990 —- North Shore News Pathfinders learn to access computer info TECHNOLOGY has spawned a new breed of human. The infotech pathfinder rises to new levels of telecommunication understanding. Ensconced in a microchip-enriched Capilano Col- lege classroom, pathfinders are nurtured and bathed in the gentle reflected glow of banks of net- worked Apple computers. Many have made much of the Information Age. Breakthroughs in the fields of computer and telecommunication technology are commonplace. But development of the grey matter necessary to syn- thesize, to apply hardware and software and make new connec- tions, remains curiously neglected. Enter Gerry Blitstein, a hyper- enthusiastic self-confessed ‘‘one- note Samba’? when discussion turns to the merit of the new Aplied Information Technology Program. It has been underway since the beginning of the year at the North Vancouver college. A key to the program's rationz!e is found in the belief that although we’ve got some great gizmos out there, ultimately ‘‘individuals will need to control their own access to information."’ Blitstein’s pathfinders, 14 in the 10-month daytime program and 10 during the evening sessions, are breaking new ground. Said Applied Infotech coor- dinator Blitstein, ‘‘The students are fantastic in the way they have adapted. It’s kind of a science fic- tion project. It’s a huge amount of work. But those who are rising to it are covering an unbelievable amount of ground. “They have learned so much, they are so unique, and there are so few of them in the field. They’re not halfway through the program. They can deal on some- thing like 15 different levels of electronic communications. Very rarely can you find somebody out there who knows how to write for the medium, utilize graphics, un- derstands telecommunications, has good writing skills, knows about research and database research, critical thinking. Within the next few months they’ll understand about building interactive videodisc projects, more of how to market products, how to manage Projects, writing proposals for clients. How many people know how to do that?’” he asked. Julie Rudd, 37, is a West Van- couver mother of two and one of the program’s evening students. Said Rudd, ‘‘“My background is being eight years at home with children and being totally out of date. Previous to that I did use computers. “It’s very exciting. It's a focus for me and certainiy bringing me up to date. It’s intrinsically so in- teresting. | caa set the cogs and wheels going in motion."’ The paperless classroom includes Apple Macintosh computers, which are individually owned by the students and are a prerequisite for enrolment. The Macs are networked via modem. The classroom also in- cludes a station loaded with 71 eo - .?. " Government of Canada equipment for scanning and optical recognition. Another work station is dedicated to sound, MIDI and sampling. Other work stations are equipped with full-color Macintosh computers rigged with 45-meg hard drives, 45-meg cartridges (for large and expansive student projects), CD ROM and video disc players. Blitstein, formerly a photography instructor at Capilano College, came up with the concept fer the program six years ago while visiting with a friend in Montreal. “Scott Gardiner is vice-president of a think-tank called Gainma. Right before my very eyes, he went online, went to California to a database. He put in a request for information and, lo and behold, back came dozens of abstracts — more information than you could generate in a year and a half in something like minutes. I thought, things are going to change. 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