A government agency sponsoring a NASCAR driver? That’s right. Those among you who watched Sunday’s TUMS QuikPak 500 at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia may have caught a glimpse of driver David Gilliland’s No. 38 Ford sporting an unlikely sponsor: the Federal Communications Commission.
Indeed, the media-regulating agency is sponsoring Mr. Gilliland’s Ford for three remaining races in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Sprint Cup as part of its stepped-up outreach for the digital television transition on Feb. 17, 2009. On that day, over-the-air broadcasters are required by law to cut off their analog signals and switch to all-digital.
The five-member, Republican-led commission is overseeing the transition and helping publicize it with the help of the broadcasting industry and other partners. FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin announced the sponsorship last week in Charlotte, N.C.
“NASCAR fans are known for their avid interest in this sport. Their awareness and responsiveness to NASCAR sponsors is also exceptionally high. I believe this sponsorship is an extremely effective way for the FCC to raise DTV awareness among people of all ages and income levels across the United States who follow one of the most popular sports in America,” Mr. Martin said.
The Sprint Cup Series is the second-highest rated regular-season sport on television.
In August, the agency announced an outreach blitz running up to the transition in which commissioners and staff would visit 81 cities to get the word out.
Readers who missed the No. 38 Digital TV Transition Ford can tune in for the races on Nov. 9 and Nov. 16 to catch a glimpse. Although, I have a feeling, if you read this column, you know about the transition. Those who might be asking why ensuring that people can continue to watch their TV sets after Feb. 17 is of such compelling importance to the government should refer to my May 21 column, in which I took a look at that question.
Tech on campuses
In a recent survey, Herndon, Va.-based technology company CDW Government Inc. asked 1,000 college students, faculty and information technology employees about the use of technology in the classroom.
The firm’s “21st Century Campus Study” found that campuses aren’t exposing students to “common workplace collaborative technologies.” That is to say that 91 percent of respondents don’t use video conferencing; 88 percent don’t use Web conferencing; 83 percent don’t listen to podcasts; and 73 percent don’t use so-called “wikis.”
Perhaps not surprisingly, the company - which sells technology to college campuses as part of its business - described the above performance as lagging workplace needs.
As far as students themselves, 60 percent said they use social networking hubs, 58 percent use iPods or other mp3 players, 58 percent manage their courses via the Web and 75 percent of students use laptop computers.
Students’ most-desired technical capability? Online chats with their professors.
E-mail krowland@washingtontimes.com.
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