Core Support Area: Training

Lead: David Bernholdt

EMail Address: bernhold@npac.syr.edu

Telephone: 315 443 3857         Fax: 315 443 1973

Core Technology Tracking and Transfer:

Syracuse will provide a core level of effort to support technology
transfer, user outreach, and long-range leadership on issues of
technology, tools, and techniques related to PET Training and
Educational needs. Technologies of interest include, but are not
limited to, synchronous and asynchronous web/Internet-based distance
education tools, electronic repositories of training materials,
etc. Of particular, but not exclusive, interest are the Tango and
WebWisdom systems developed by Syracuse. Syracuse will provide an
appropriate level of effort to support these tools, as they are used
in a variety of PET-supported educational and training projects,
emphasizing the general robustness of the tools. Syracuse will
maintain frequent contact with the on-site Training team at the CEWES
MSRC (Dr. Wayne Mastin and John Eberle) to understand the needs and
use of training technology at the MSRC. Syracuse will also be active
in meetings of the PET Program-Wide Training Group, especially in
monitoring and advising on the program-wide deployment of tools and
technologies.  Syracuse will select and attend focused conferences and
other meetings that have high payoff and contribute directly to
providing leadership on training technology issues.

User Outreach:  

During Year 4, Syracuse has committed to support the distance training
efforts of other PET instutions, and preliminary discussions have
resulted in seven distance trainings which we expect to be delivered
via TANGO Interactive:
		o CWO training (OSU)
		o Performance Optimization (UTK)
		o Advanced MPI (MSU)
		o Using the CRAY T3E for Code Development and Analysis (OSC)
		o Structural Analysis Software Applications (OSC)
		o Using the SGI Origin 2000 for Code Development 
		  and Analysis (OSC)
		o How to user Parallel Linear Algebra Library Routines (OSC)
in addition to Jackson State University's plans to deliver regular
academic courses via Tango.

Targeted Codes/Algorithms:

o TANGO Interactive (electronic collaboratory framework)
o WebWisdom NT (enhanced support for authoring & delivery of
  electronic courseware; works with TANGO Interactive)
o LecCorder (integrated hardware/software system to capture training
  classes, digitize them and publish them on the web with minimal human
  intervention)

Training: 

As part of our effort to support the use of distance training tools
within the PET program, we plan to offer a Distance Training Workshop
covering approaches for both synchronous and asynchronous modes of
delivery.  We expect to emphasize TANGO Interactive as the primary
tool for synchronous delivery and WebCT as a framework for
asynchronous training.  This workshop is meant both to support those
groups who have already committed to provide a Tango-based distance
training during Year 4, but also to adopt distance training.

Required Resources:

Deliverables: 

o Trip reports for conferences and user contacts (as appropriate)
o Contributions to PET bi-weekly reports and presentations at periodic
  review meetings (as conducted)
o Contribute materials pertaining to education and training
  technologies to the CEWES MRSC PET Training web site (on-going)
o Involvement in PET Program-Wide Training Group meetings and
  activities (as conducted)
o Ongoing support and enhancement of TANGO Interactive and WebWisdom
  NT in support of education and training activities.  We have
  commitments for seven distance trainings to be offered during Year 4,
  as well as support for JSU's delivery of academic courses to other
  institutions (on-going)
o Installation of the LecCorder system at CEWES MSRC (if desired, see
  Note)


Note: The LecCorder is an integrated hardware/software system. The
software has been developed by NPAC with support from ASC, it requires
commodity hardware: a PC and an MPEG encoder board, both of which
would be part of the installation at the CEWES MSRC.  The cost of this
hardware is NOT included in the cost of this proposal.  Estimated cost
of minimal hardware for such an installation is $8000.