Ball State University's Center for Media Design (CMD) won Best Use of Technology for Educational Programming in the inaugural Billboard Digital Entertainment Awards, beating competitors that included The Walt Disney Co.

Ball State was the only university to win, one of only two nominees from higher education and the only entrant nominated in three categories. NASCAR, TiVo and XM Satellite Radio were among the winners in categories such as Best Interactive Television Programming, Television Technology of the Year and Best Radio Service.

"Ball State and the CMD made quite a splash at the Billboard awards," said Rodger Smith, CMD associate director. "This award represents our introduction to the major players in the technology world as a peer and a player in the technology dialogue."

Ball State won for its use of commercial software developed by Brain Technologies of Santa Monica, Calif. The software, called "The Brain," helps lead students through simulated case studies in social work, nursing, criminal justice and speech pathology.

Using "The Brain," faculty constructed simulated case studies using text, video clips and Web sites, allowing students to interact with virtual clients in situations that they typically would not experience while still in school.

For example, students assigned to diagnose a "patient" in "The Brain" database could visually learn a great deal more than in a standard written case study. They might discover that a "patient" doesn't speak English and then observe how not speaking the language affects agencies and services otherwise capable of helping the "patient." Or, students might see where the "patient" lives rather than simply reading a short textual description.

"It's a very dynamic tool that allows us to construct scenarios just as they happen in real life," said Maria Williams-Hawkins, a telecommunications professor who worked on the project.

Project leaders are currently working on the next phase, a domestic violence case study set in Chicago. It will be available next spring to classes in criminal justice, gerontology, nursing, social work and telecommunications.

Dave Ferguson, CMD director, says Ball State's success is significant for several reasons. The university showed its work can compete against that of companies with national and international interests, he said. In addition, Ball State's work takes place outside of traditional media and technology centers such as Hollywood and the Silicon Valley.

"The digital revolution means you can do great work from anywhere," Ferguson said. "This recognition validates the work we're doing and shows we're advancing toward our goal of being a leader in creating innovative digital media content that could spur new industry opportunities."

Ball State University President Jo Ann M. Gora said the CMD is focusing on projects that will help create the next generation of digital products for educational, business, lifestyle and entertainment use, and the Billboard award shows the remarkable progress the center has made in the two years since it was created through a grant from the Lilly Endowment.

"To be regarded in the company of the other nominees, to be the only university competing in multiple categories and to actually win against this competition is simply outstanding," she said. "Through the Endowment's investment, CMD is encouraging faculty and students to pursue innovative, interdisciplinary projects that have the potential to spin off the types of products and businesses needed to transform Indiana's economy."

A separate CMD project was nominated in two other categories. "Reality TV Bytes," a live broadcast that spoofed reality television and allowed interactivity through Internet connections, was nominated for Best Interactive Television Programming and Television Technology of the Year.

The Center for Media Design

The Center for Media Design is an R&D facility focused on the creation, testing and practical application of digital technologies and content for business, classroom, home and community. The center is part of Ball State's iCommunication initiative, funded by a $20 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. 

(Note to Editors: For more information, contact Smith at (765) 285-8756, (765) 285-0123 or rsmith@bsu.edu.)