Faculty Guide to Using the Computer Classrooms

This guide dares to offer all you might need to know about using the computer classrooms with your students. Of course, it will fall short.  Still, you may find this resource helpful either as you get started with using the computer classroom or as you may need clarification on some computer use matter. (print version of text)

Scheduling-How do I get to use the room?

You may sign up for a reserved spot in the computer classroom for an entire semester, or you may sign up for occasional "spot-use." Semester-long reserved slots are scheduled in a two step process:

1) When you request classes through the normal scheduling forms sent by Jack, designate any and all classes you would want-potentially-in the computer classroom.

2) The chair of the Computer User's Committee then will assign you reserved slots in the computer classrooms based from your preferences either for "partial use" (which means one day per week) or for "100% use" (which means every class meeting is in the computer classroom).

All reserved slots are assigned by seniority and by two classes per person per round of scheduling.

You may sign up for spot-use by writing your name into the time slot you desire on the posted schedule in the department office mail room.  See more details on the specifics of spot use below.

What are the Computer Classroom Policies?

Please inform students about these policies on their first day in the computer classroom and have your students follow them.  Here are the current polices for student use of the computer classroom:

--No food or drink at workstations

--Scan diskettes for viruses.

--Save all work on diskettes.  Make sure your name and class are on the diskette.

--Close all applications and push in chairs before leaving.

--Computers are for class-related work only.

--In general, NO PRINTING FROM THE WEB ALLOWED.  Copy and paste all web pages into a word processing document before printing.  Do not print more than two pages of a web document under any circumstances.

--No inappropriate use of the web allowed.  Accessing anything more visually exciting than one would see on the Disney channel is not allowed.

--Do not change the settings of your workstation, especially by altering the desktop. 

--Do not alter or delete any network files, and do not break out of Windows into DOS.

Note: A quick link to these policies shows on the computer classroom home page, so it is easy for you to have your students review these policies in class.

What are the Pre-Semester Information Sessions?

Pre-semester information sessions are brief 30-60 minute sessions reviewing any updates or changes that have occurred to the computers and the software in the computer classrooms.  Issues that may directly affect your teaching experience in the computer classroom are discussed.  Faculty with scheduled slots for using the computer classrooms are expected to attend a pre-semester information session about the new changes to the rooms for that semester.  Spot-use faculty are encouraged to attend also.

What should I do on the first day of using a computer classroom?

Be sure to review the Computer Classroom Policies carefully with your students before you do anything on the computers with your students.  In addition, you might review the particular computer requirements you will ask of you students.  You might also point your students to the Student Guide to the Computer Classrooms (found in the Computer Classroom home page), and to the information about open Labs and the Internet Skills Center posted on the walls in each classroom.

What are the available computer programs?

            Microsoft Word and Powerpoint 2000

            Internet Explorer 6, Netscape 6

            The Daedalus Integrated Writing Environment (2002 version)

            WS_FTP (file transfer program)

            Norton Antivirus

            Microsoft Works available on the Teach stations

            Dreamweaver 4 available on the Teach stations

MS Works available on the Teach stations

            Course platforms:

            --enCore MOO (see Lennie Irvin about access)

            --WebCT (available free from ACCD)

            --CourseWebs (available free through SAC) 

--Eportal course and Groups capabilities          

What to do if something goes wrong?

Expect to experience technical problems in the computer classroom.  Problems are normal, so be prepared to do some problem-solving with your students.  It is always a good idea to have a backup plan to turn to if the technology you are counting on using for some reason isn't working. 

Problems with applications generally are related to knowledge of how that program works.  Individual computer problems may be beyond your ability to fix and should be reported.  However, sometimes an individual PC can be "fixed" simply by rebooting the machine.  Network connectivity problems , similarly, may be fixed simply by rebooting. If you experience a problem you cannot fix, please fill out a Tech Report (see next item).

How do I make a Tech Report if something goes wrong, and I can't fix the problem?

It is very important to report any problems you are having with individual PCs or with applications.  Enlist your students to assist you in identifying any problem machines so that our technicians can fix the problem.

            Tech Reporting follows this sequence

1) Fill out a Tech Report Form (found in each room)

2) Leave the report form in the computer classroom.  A technician will check the room at least once a day for reports. 

3) Check the bulletin board the next time you are in the room for feedback on your Tech Report.  The technicians will address the problem and leave their comments posted on the bulletin board.

For more immediate assistance, call the English Department Tech Reporting line: 733-2364.

Where does my Tech Report go, and who takes care of the computers?

Our department has its own Computer Technicians.  Elida Ramirez, our current Computer Tech, has her office in GH 126 next to the English Department Open Lab.  All reports of problems with the machines go to her office, and she is the primary person responsible for addressing problems. Staff from the Technology Center handle what she cannot fix. 

How much printing can my students and I do?

I encourage you to be economical with your printing in the computer classrooms. Paper and printer toner cartridges cost money.  If students can save something on their diskette to print at home, then encourage them to do so.  On the other hand, you have every right to print what you need to print with your students. 

We only restrict printing when it comes from the web; the Computer Classroom Policies prohibit general printing from the web. Please restrict your students to printing only a couple of two to four page web resources.  If, for instance, they are researching in the databases, let them print one article, but have them email or copy the rest to their diskette.  Beware of long web sites that once you start to print go on for one hundred pages (go to FILE and PRINT PREVIEW to see how many pages it will take to print a web page).

Should I be worried about viruses?  How can I do a virus scan?

Typically, most of us never worry about viruses until we get infected.  It pays to maintain a level of vigilance with regards to viruses.  Our machines are updated with the latest Norton Antivirus .dat files on a regular basis, so you or your students can always scan a diskette that you may be worried has a virus. 

It is worth a small amount of time to talk to your students about how to avoid viruses and how to know if they are at risk of infection.  If students work with software, particularly email software, that is not updated regularly, and they do not have current virus detection software on their machine, they are at higher risk of infection.

A shortcut to Norton Antivirus exists on the desktop for you or your students to do a scan of a diskette. 

How do I get access to one of the computer classrooms?

Contact Lennie Irvin for an access code.  If you are using the rooms for spot-use, you will not receive an access code to the computer classroom but you will gain access via Lennie Irvin or the department office staff.

When you receive an access code, treat it like a key. Don't give your code out. If someone wants access to the computer classrooms, either let them in yourself or refer them to Lennie Irvin to issue them an access code.  

What else do I need to know?

What follows is a list of the kind of things that are typically not written down--here, they will get written down. 

Network Login upon reboot

Whenever a machine is rebooted or starts up, it first logs into our network.  The network login will have three text fields:

	for GH 220	for GH 201
User Name:	writstudent	rhetstudent
Password:	student	student
Domain:	SAC	SAC

 

What are Profiles?

Windows XP is our networking software. Within WindowsXP, each "user" has its own desktop "profile."  For our computer classrooms, we have created a "profile" for each classroom that are custom created for our computer classrooms. 

If you ever sit at a computer that seems to have a different desktop profile, the machine is probably logged in using a different profile or is disconnected from the network.  To return to the computer classroom profile, restart the machine and change the USERNAME to the correct profile username (and check the domain as well).

What is the PUBDOC drive?

All of the computers in the English Department Labs are connected through the same network.  On all of the computers, also, exists a common network drive  called the "Pubdoc drive" which is especially created for general use and access.  You can create a folder for your class in this pubdoc drive or a personal folder to save class documents.  Any computer throughout our network can see this pubdoc drive and open files from it or save file to it. 

What computers are connected to the English Department LAN?

All the computers in the computer classrooms and the developmental labs (GH 201, 220, 118, 122) are connected to the same Local Area Network.  Faculty workstations are not connected (though it is possible to map a network drive to our LAN).

Internet Access:  The Computer Classroom Web page as default website

When you open Internet Explorer or Netscape, the English Department's website for the computer classrooms will open.  This site is specially designed to facilitate your use of the computer classrooms.  Below are some of the features of this website:

            Links to teacher homepages

            A link to the computer classroom policies

            Launch links to course platform software

Access to a special resources page with helpful links to grammar and style sites, researching and documentation sites, our library, and an online dictionary.

If Windows Update loads instead of the Computer Classroom Website, click the HOME icon in the menu bar (it looks like a house) and the Computer Classroom site will appear.

Microsoft Word Settings

You should be aware of some of the custom settings we have put on Microsoft Word in the computer classrooms. These settings are changeable on individual PCs, so be sure to stress to your students not to change any Word settings.  Below is a list of these Word settings:

·        The default SAVE and OPEN location is in the Pubdoc

·        Margins have been set from 1.25 to 1.0 left and right

·        The automatic feature that will underline a misspelled word in red and a potential grammar problem in green has been turned off.  Students can still do a Spelling and Grammar check.

·        The autoformat feature that automatically continues numbered lists or bulleted lists has been turned off

·        Smart quotes have been changed to straight quotes

Security

The bottom line with security is that we don't want any of our equipment stolen.  Please do not leave the room door open with no students inside or leave the room with students in it unattended for long.  Always make sure the door is shut when you leave. 

Scan the room before and after

It is generally wise to scan the room before you start a class and after it.  Take a brief look at each PC to see if programs were left open or if something appears to be wrong or missing with a machine.  If you spot a problem, be sure to report it and identify when you encountered it. 

How do I know when I am not connected to the network?

Two signs will tell you if a computer has lost its network connection: 1) you can't print, and 2) the desktop has changed and you can't see or access the normal programs that you can with the normal profile.

If you confirm that you are disconnected from the network, try rebooting the machines to see if that reconnects the machine.  If the machine does not reconnect, fill out a tech report on it. In circumstances where it looks like the whole network is going down, don't worry about filling out a Tech Report.  However, you might want to call the English Department Technicians (733-2364)  to see what is going on and how long the network interruption may last.  Alternatively, you could call the Technology Center (733-1629) for information about a network problem.

Common Printer Problems

Fading Print-probably the most common printing problem is streaks or fading ink on printed copies.  This problem is caused by the toner beginning to get low.  Contact one of our computer technicians to fix the problem.

Document not printing-check to see if the computer is connected to the network.  You could also check to see if the SETTINGS are printing to the correct printer.  If it appears that everything is working correctly, but it still won't print, the problem could be with the Print-server (a central computer that handles all print jobs).  Call the Tech line to report the problem (733-2364)

Printer Jams--If the printer jams and you don't have a clue about what to do, call the tech line (733-2364) for assistance or go down to GH 122 and ask for some help from the staff in the open lab.  Alternatively, a staff person in the department office experienced with dealing with printer jams could help.         

Uploading Webfiles from the Computer Classroom-Using WS_FTP

We have the file transfer protocol program WS_FTP, so you can upload files to your web folder from any machine in our LAN.  Look for the FTP folder in the Pubdoc folder-you should see the executable file inside this folder.

Using the Multimedia Carts

If you wish to use a multimedia cart, you must check out one of the two departmental multimedia carts out from Elida's office in GH 122.  Only faculty who have been "certified" to use these carts may check out one; certification classes are offered periodically in the Instructional Innovation Center.

Special GH 201 Situation:  Since GH 201 is now wired with CAT5 cable, a multimedia cart must have its wiring adjusted before use in that room.  Both multimedia carts are wired with the old cabling (still used in 220 and all the other rooms in Gonzales Hall).  If you wish to use a multimedia cart in GH 201, ask Elida to assist you in getting the right kind of cable substituted.   

Using the Ceiling Mounted Projector

You can project on the overhead screen whatever shows on the Teach station desktop using our ceiling mounted projection device. You need the remote control to operate it which should be located in the room near the teacher station.

Specific Information for the Spot-Use of Computers

Scheduling for Spot Use

Only those who have gone through an information session about using the computer classrooms can use these rooms.  Sign up for spot use slots will be done on a first come first serve basis on a copy of the schedule posted in the department office mailroom.

The importance of double-checking shared times

Often, a spot-use time slot is shared by one or two other faculty members.  For instance, a MWF 9:00 AM time slot may have two faculty members signed up for a reserved slot in the computer classroom one day a week.  If you wish to use the open third slot, you need to be sure what day the room is open.  In some cases, faculty using the room are in a regular schedule of using the room only on Mondays or only on Fridays, but in other instances, the faculty may not have that regular a schedule.  Moral: Always check to make sure the room is open for use.

Orienting students; reminding students

Even if you are using the room only once or twice a semester, please review the Computer Classroom Policies with your students.  Even for the second or third time of spot-use with a class, I think it might be worth reminding students about the policies within the room.  It doesn't take long, and will insure that you don't run into any problems with students' use of the machines. 

Special Features of Using GH 216

          The computers in GH 216 are owned by the Continuing Education Department for their Emergency Teacher Certification Program.  We can use the room only in cases where our other two rooms are already in use and a teacher still wants to access a computer classroom-in other words, the rooms are only for overflow use for us.  Consequently, we must use these rooms with great care. 

Feature #1: Orientation Required

Before a teacher is able to use GH 216, he or she must be oriented in using the room.  During this orientation, the special features of using GH 216 will be reviewed.  Once a teacher has been oriented, he or she may use the room when needed.

Feature #2 Lead time in scheduling

We must inform the CE department each time we use the room.  Also, we need to tell them in advance when we plan to use the room.  They ask for one week advance notice that the room will be used.  Please contact Lennie Irvin when you plan to use the room (Lirvin@accd.edu or 733-2522)

Feature #3:  Printing Restrictions

We must bring in our own paper to use in this room.  You can get paper from either the department office or from Elida to use in the room.  Please be sure to replace the original paper that was inside the printer when you arrived and take the department paper with you.

Feature #4:  Starting Up Computers

The computers will be turned off when you enter the room.  When you turn these computers on, a network login will ask for a Username and Password.  Keep the username unchanged, and put in Student as the password.   Password: Student

Feature #5:  Shut down the computers when you leave.

Be sure that when you leave, you have the students shut down the computers.  Double-check that all computers are off. 

Feature #6: Tech Problem reporting

Please be sure to report ANY tech problem you may have.  If you need immediate assistance, our technicians may be able to help you.  Call 733-2364 or find one of our technicians for assistance.

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last modified June 17, 2005

Site Update August 21, 2006