Procedures

Requesting an Office Computer

Faculty are encouraged to discuss any perceived inadequacies in their computing hardware with their Academic Computing Resource Specialist. Because funds are limited, priority in allocation goes to requests that have an impact on the College's academic mission. In general, there is a four year cycle for replacement of computing equipment. If questions arise about the urgency or appropriateness of the request, the Director of Academic Computing, Ann Marie Krupski (x2181) can help.

NOTE: Department chairs should make requests in the SPRING for new hires who will arrive in the FALL. Backlogs by late summer are quite long. Thank you! Please refer to the Campus Purchasing Policy for more information at http://www.trincoll.edu/RaetherCtr/ComputingCenter/Faculty/purchasing.htm.

Reserving a Room

Please refer to the classroom room search page from the Registrar to find an appropriate computer-equipped rooms or class use: http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/registra/roomsearch/main.aspx

Requests for reservations during the school year go through the Registrar's Office. Requests for times outside of each semester go to the Calendar Office. The scheduling authorities will do their best to accommodate requests for these rooms, and will give priority in their assignment to classes that make substantive use of the computer equipment. If you have problems securing a room that has the technology you need, please contact your Resource Specialist.

Viewing the On-line Room Schedule

The Registrar's office makes available a web-based service which shows the scheduling of all the College's major classrooms. Point your browser at

http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/registra/roomsearch/main.aspx

This web page will call up the schedule of any room, along with other useful information, such as seating capacity, set up (seminar, auditorium, etc.), restrictions, and equipment. Additional information is also available on Audio Visual's Classroom Technology Page.

Learning to Use a Computer-Equipped Room

We recommend that you contact your Resource Specialist or the Media Technology Services department if you intend to use a computer-equipped room. These folks can then train you, keep an eye out for your needs, and notify you of any system changes. Of course, if you need any special equipment, your Resource Specialist can help as well.

The Windows Labs in LITC and LSC 138/9 are special resources. They are designed to be used

when more than one computer is needed during class time, or
for lab sessions.

If all that is needed is the projection of the instructor's screen, please schedule one of the projection-only classrooms, if possible.

Workshops

The Computing Center offers regular workshops for students on word processing, web page creation, and spreadsheets, to name a few. The workshops are concentrated at the beginning of the semester, to prepare students for class assignments. The Center's offerings are keyed to projected class needs, based on responses to the semesterly Technology Request Form Survey sent each semester to all faculty by Academic Computing. In addition, faculty may request specific training for their class, either during class time or outside of class. The most successful training sessions are held just-in-time for the students needs, and relate to a specific assignment(s). Faculty are encouraged to start a discussion as soon as possible with their Resource Specialist for scheduling purposes and to discuss their goals.

Academic Computing also provides workshops for faculty members on various topics of interest. These are announced by electronic mail. Please call with any suggestions! We are also happy to provide customized training on a departmental level, to address any specific needs you and your fellow departmental faculty have.

For a quick update on what workshops are currently scheduled for faculty and students, take a look at the "Workshop" link at http://www.trincoll.edu/RaetherCtr/ComputingCenter/GeneralServices/workshops.htm.

Teaching Assistants, Etc.

The Computing Center's Student Help Desk training is focused on the systems and software that are most widely used across campus (Windows/Mac operating systems, word processing, networks, etc.), and maintaining common resources (caring for printers, administering e-mail accounts, and so on). They also try to maintain a semblance of order in the public areas. It is not practical for them to be trained in every software package being used for class - a number that is growing by leaps and bounds! Often, their knowledge of Windows or the Mac operating system allows them to be of general service to students having trouble with class software. This is not, of course, the same as having specific knowledge in a particular application.

The successful integration of computers into a class depends upon follow-through. A large number of students will be new to the applications that you would like to use, and will require continuous tutoring in their use over the course of the semester. If a class is going to be using complex software, such as SPSS or Excel, we strongly recommend that the faculty member acquire a teaching assistant.

Academic Computing can help train your T.A.! Please introduce us to your T.A., so they'll be less reluctant to come in and see us, either to visit or for technical help. We'll also learn more about your class this way. We can also help fill in the gaps in your T.A.'s computer training. Also, we have electronic facilities that may make your T.A. more effective. For example, BlackBoard can be used for on-line help sessions to which students can refer throughout the semester.

If you are planning to use computer technology in class, please make an appointment with an Academic Computing staff member to discuss your needs. The better informed we are of the your plans, the higher the quality of service that we can provide!

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