RIT Instructional Television Center records

The Rochester Institute of Technology's (RIT) Instructional Television Center was originally part of the Office of Educational Research. The purpose of the department was to provide instructional support and services to the RIT community. When the Division of Instructional Research and Development was created as part of the Instructional Development and Planning process, the Television Center was moved under their jurisdiction.

Initially, the Television Center consisted of a set of rooms designed for the recording and production of both motion pictures and television programs. Programs produced by the Television Center were broadcast on closed-circuit televisions in classrooms and studios. Staff at the center worked with faculty members who wished to incorporate instructional television and their classrooms. Additionally, the center provided several services to students. For instance, students in speech classes could record themselves speaking so that they could review their presentation with a critical eye. Similarly, several athletic teams used the Television Center to help athletes review past games and plays.

The Television Center continued to grow its services over the years. Originally, the department was only able to produce black and white programs; however, the ability to record in color was eventually added. In 1969, the Television Center applied for a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to build the equipment necessary to become an Instructional Television Fixed Service station. The FCC granted the license and in 1970 RIT began broadcasting television programs to St. John Fisher College and Nazareth College, also located in Rochester, NY. The center's first credit-bearing course was "Cellular Biology," taught by Professor David Baldwin. The class was transmitted to the two colleges, as well as RIT, three times a week. Because the dormitories were not wired for television reception, students needed to go to designated areas to watch the broadcast. Similar programs soon followed. In 1970, the Television Center began recording and broadcasting an environmental lecture series, "Man Against His Environment." Following the lecture, each of the participating universities held their own discussion group on the topic.

The Instructional Television Center continued to operate at RIT into the 1970s. As of 2011, faculty and student media support was provided by RIT's ETC Production Services department.