LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ -- Scott Fuelhart of Pennington, NJ and Roberto Gonzalez of Trenton, NJ, both senior computer information systems (CIS) majors at Rider University, are working with Rider's foreign language faculty and students to train them how to use software and the multimedia Macintosh computers in the new Foreign Language Media Center.

The two students are providing this service through an independent study sponsored by the CIS Department and co-sponsored by the Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures. As part of their independent study, they are documenting the system software and ensuring data and system protection.

When new technology was put into working order, the Foreign Language Media Center needed help running it and "exploring what it can do." according to Dr. Peter Aberger, also a Pennington resident and chairperson of the foreign languages department.

Fuellhart thought that since "he was computer literate and a good communicator," he would be an asset to help faculty and students learn the new technology. Since the start of the fall semester, Gonzalez and he have learned the Macintosh operating system and taught several Spanish I classes about the new programs.

"We are working with students and faculty to show them how to use the programs and answer as many questions as asked," said Gonzalez, a graduate of Notre Dame High School.

Fuellhart, a transfer from Mercer County Community College, works full-time at night at Bloomberg Financial Markets of Princeton and attends Rider full-time as a continuing studies during the day. At Bloomberg, he deals with currency markets in the Pacific Rim market which consists of Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Singapore. He works in the center four to six hours a week and five to ten hours on the weekend. "It is a big investment of time, but worth it," he said.

He is working with three Spanish software programs -- Tu Diras, Mundos Hispanos, and Atajo. He is exploring ways to improve teaching the programs. Already is thinking of expanding the multimedia interface developed by the Office of Information Technology.

The most valuable experience Fuellhart has gotten from the independent study is that he really likes teaching, which he really did not know before he started.

"I have gained tremendous inspiration from sharing my enthusiasm and knowledge with others," he said. "Indeed , students and faculty have given me much positive feedback that I an effective in instructing others. I will always fondly look back to this independent study experience, esecially with regard to Tu Diras and Mundos Hispanos as my first teaching experience."

Formerly known as the foreign language lab and after a complete technological overhaul, the Foreign Language Media Center officially opened last spring. The pace-setting facility takes language learning from analog technology (use of tape recorders and VCRS) and tape recorders to digital technology with CD Rom capability.

The center has 24 student stations with Macintosh 7100 machines hooked to VCRs and tape recorders. All machines are interfaced with the campus network. From a computer screen, students can click on what they want -- audio or video, word processing or onto the internet. Proofing tools include Spell Checker and Thesaurus in French, German and Spanish -- all useful in composition classes.

The center is part of Rider's new $5 million technology environment which provides voice, data, and video services to all students, faculty and staff. It provides students with the technology skills to succeed in the workplace and in society in the 21st century. It also provides students with a distinctively enhanced educational experience that is tailored to their individual learning styles.