--- Forwarded Message from "David Pankratz" <[log in to unmask]> --- >Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2009 09:04:45 -0500 >From: "David Pankratz" <[log in to unmask]> >To: <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: #9260.1 (!) user frustration with classroom media equipment Hello Mike, Leslie and all, I see this as a two-part solution: First, trying to change behavior of faculty (and their students who try to perform miracle "rewirings"). This part is extremely difficult, because, well, faculty are people. And we are all at our worst when the equipment doesn't work when we need it. Second, trying to change our/IT attitude toward the level of support and maintenance that is needed on these systems. I suspect the common IT expectation is that if we "build it right," then those systems will need little or no monitoring. I think that is misguided. My point is that chances are these classroom systems will always require regular--even daily--checking and maintenance. This includes checking to see if basic things are still working, shutting off the projectors, etc. This requires staff. People who do it. I think that's our biggest challenge, convincing administration that instructional services will be better if staff are assigned to maintain the equipment, and of course availalble "on call" during instructional hours. Our experience at Loyola is that the quicker staff can get to the classroom (are all equipped with phones), when faculty need help, the fewer bigger problems we have. In our experience, over 50% of the of problems can be "fixed" over the phone, once the faculty person (in great distress) can speak with an IT person and diagnose the problem. Of course there is no magic solution. I'm amused by the idea of teaching proper behavior via food...sans electric shock. David Pankratz Loyola University Chicago >>> LLTI-Editor <[log in to unmask]> 10/15/09 7:45 AM >>> --- Forwarded Message from "Graul, Leslie B." <[log in to unmask]> --- >Subject: RE: #9260 user frustration with classroom media equipment >Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:29:16 -0400 >Thread-Topic: #9260 user frustration with classroom media equipment >Thread-Index: AcpLYah7tOg/Y8nUTeiBN/uM/QkuhQA9Bhbj >References: A<[log in to unmask]> >From: "Graul, Leslie B." <[log in to unmask]> >To: "Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum" <[log in to unmask]> Hi, Michael, We experience much the same thing. We even have people who climb up and manually turn on or off the projector; afterward, the AMX software is out of sync and will not operate the projector until put back into sync. The times that things have been disconnected have usually been at night or on weekends when we are not here. (Off-campus 'experts' have been responsible for most of those instances). We have now placed a different lock onto the back of the podium cabinet so that they cannot easily get to the connections. On each podium, we have placed small laminated signs that tell people what numbers to call for the IT Hotline and AV Help Desk. We have placed tutorials on line, a notebook with step-by-step illustrated instructions at each podium, and we have offered workshops and hands-on individual training sessions. Because we frequently have to go around and turn off projectors that have been left on, we also send email messages to everyone who uses the room offering help, and trying to ascertain who and when the problems are occurring. We've put humourous (at least I think they're humorous) informational articles with silly images into the faculty/staff communique, and I made a laminated "Quick & Dirty" (illustrated) guide that we've placed onto the podiums. We are now approaching midterm, and there are still problems. I've considered having a Smart Classroom party with food, and to get any food, the attendees would have to first try using the projector. Needless to say, we are interested in hearing some ideas that work. Leslie B. Graul Director, Instructional Media Services Thiel College 75 College Avenue Greenville, PA 16125 724-589-2853 Information Technology will never ask for your account information and/or password through an e-mail message. Never divulge any personal information through unsecured email messages. ________________________________________ From: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum on behalf of LLTI-Editor Sent: Mon 10/12/2009 1:28 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: #9260 user frustration with classroom media equipment --- Forwarded Message from Michael Jones <[log in to unmask]> --- >From: Michael Jones <[log in to unmask]> >To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: user frustration with classroom media equipment >Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2009 14:40:59 -0400 ITS @ Swarthmore is wondering if anyone has managed to design the PERFECT (ok, how about a very good) classroom A/V & computing install? We put together some podiums for the classrooms that we thought would do a pretty good (and reliable) job of serving user needs: - touchpad controllers - dual boot Mac mini's - alternate laptop inputs - podium monitor - desktop usb ports - multi-region DVD players - multi-system VCR's We did our best to make things transparent and keep things out of reach, but are still getting a level of user frustration that has us wondering if we could be doing things better. Professors are finding computers with: - disconnected internet connections - disconnected audio cables - equipment that (amplifiers or power strips) that should be on, get turned off - professors can't find the power button on the Mac Mini's We've done training, we're working on better documentation, we're urging users to contact us RATHER THAN TRYING TO REWIRE THE SYSTEM. If you have tricks, technical or other, that you've implemented successfully, we'd love to hear. - mike p.s. we're trying to stay away from devices that administer low-level shock treatments when users approach areas they shouldn't touch. ___________________________________________ Michael Jones Director, Language Resource Center Swarthmore College (610) 328-8036 [log in to unmask] http://lrc.swarthmore.edu *********************************************** LLTI is a service of IALLT, the International Association for Language Learning (http://iallt.org/), and The Consortium for Language Teaching and Learning (http://www.languageconsortium.org/). Join IALLT at http://iallt.org. Subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives at http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/scripts/wa.exe?A0=LLTI Otmar Foelsche, LLTI-Editor ([log in to unmask]) ***********************************************