The College of Veterinary Medicine at K-State is taking steps to ensure its place in today's fast-paced technological world.

Dr. Ralph Richardson, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, said in addition to the new paperless curriculum the college is implementing this year, there have been several other technological advances in the college over the last few years.

For example, more than a decade ago, the College of Veterinary Medicine converted its billing information from paper to a more advanced computerized system, Richardson said.

This improved the accountability and responsibility of the system and also showed the instructors what it takes to run a business, he said.

More recently, the college updated its software to allow more freedom between the classroom and the field.

Researchers in the field can send in a biopsy to the pathologists in the lab, who then can to read it under a microscope and diagnose the problem.

As soon as the report on the sample is completed and filed, pathologists can place the information on the Internet for researchers in the field to work with, Richardson said.

When these same field researchers want to communicate with students in the classroom, they now can do so through the new Polycom system installed in several classrooms and lecture halls, Richardson said.

He said Polycom is a system that uses digital imagery for communication between those in the field and those in the classroom. Professors also have the capability to attend virtual conferences via Polycom.

"We had one professor attend a conference last month through Polycom," Richardson said. "The conference was held in Canada, and she was unable to go, but she still received all the information she needed without ever leaving."

Technology can assist professors in other ways as well.

Muthu Chengappa, director and professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology, conducts studies concerning abnormal body functions and changes. He said he has seen new technology appear over the last several years to complement professors' work and is excited to see more.

"I work to help identify diseases and their causes, so I would like to see more technology to help the researchers in the department as well as the doctors," Chengappa said.

Digital radiography also has made its way into the College of Veterinary Medicine, Richardson said. It has been installed in both the K?State campus' teaching hospital as well as their satellite teaching hospital in Omaha, Neb.

This allows radiologists to interpret X-ray images sent from Omaha and diagnose the problem more quickly, he said.

Richardson attended a conference more than one year ago where several new teaching methods were demonstrated. Models for teaching anatomy and surgery included stuffed animals and latex models, he said.

Haptic technology is designed to give students a hands-on approach using touch perception and feedback while still maintaining a realistic feel and shape, according to the Web site.

While this technology is not yet available in the United States., we should not be too quick to rule it out.

"I think there will always be advances in technology that will involve virtual imaging and enhancements in software," Richardson said, "but I feel these are simply tools, and when used appropriately may enhance learning. 'Are they effective?' still remains to be seen."