Survey respondents were concerned with the overall reliability and support for classrooms: “My lessons involve technology, but I am often hesitant to spend a lot of time preparing to use technology because I do not trust it to work or feel that [IR] realizes how essential technologies readiness is to me.”
We’ve already discussed the difficulty involved in purchasing new equipment for mediated classrooms – but even with brand new equipment, there’s always the possibility of equipment failure.
While there are many factors that affect the operating condition of a classroom, the most important of the factors is what state the equipment is left in by the previous user. If the previous user doesn’t properly shut down the equipment, it may cause startup problems for the next user. If the previous user doesn’t report a problem, it has a direct impact on that next instructor. Classroom problems that are reported to the Technology Support Center are given the highest prioritization. The TSC’s student workers have received training in mediated technologies and their skills have greatly improved over the past six months. If the TSC cannot resolve a classroom problem it is immediately passed on to Office of Instructional Technology staff or computer technicians.
Some faculty commented that “a pc will stay broken for several weeks if no faculty physically puts in a repair request.” With the high number of facilities on campus, it’s just not possible for IR to check each and every machine. Open lab and classroom time is very limited – in some cases the only open time is the 10 minutes between classes. IR needs faculty and staff to report any lab or classroom problems by contacting the TSC (extension HELP or TechSupport@scranton.edu).
It’s also important for faculty to know that IR has been working hard on improving classroom technology support services. First, since the time necessary to support all of our mediated classrooms has reached a level that is more than the existing two staff positions can manage, IR is requesting funding for an additional position in association with the opening of the Unified Science Center. They’re also exploring options to contract out some work.
Second, IR is seeking to implement remote classroom support. They’re experimenting with this in the five most recently upgraded classrooms (HYL305, LEA1011, MGH302, STT209, & STT563A). Remote classroom support allows an OIT technician to monitor the status of a classroom’s equipment (that is, on, off, or trouble signal – not the content being displayed). Once this is in place, the technician can provide immediate assistance without having to travel across campus to the classroom. OIT can also use this system to keep track of things like lamp hours, so they’ll be able to replace projector bulbs before they burn out.
Back to Top Faculty Concerns
[…] Classroom and Computer Lab Maintenance […]