Monthly Archives: February 2016

Finding a smart classroom has never been this easy

classroomDB

Peruse the online classroom database to find the smart room you need for your next lecture or meeting. The database search reveals specific room equipment as well as room availability, and provides supporting materials and guides for specific technologies.

Standard equipment includes a computer, projector, screen, document camera, speakers and a control system. In some locations additional equipment is also available including a Smart board or Smart podium, microphones and, LCD or LED panels.

The database is continuously updated as technologies are upgraded and installed. Visit https://webnet.scranton.edu/classroomdb/ to find the smart classroom that will enhance your next lecture. This database is only accessible using an on-campus computer.

Recent Upgrades

  • The Estate: all spaces received a comprehensive upgrade, which included new display technology, a new user interface for
    the touch panels and tetherless projection capabilities.
  • Nurse anesthesia: three operating and observation rooms were created on the first floor of McGurrin Hall. The rooms provide the ability for lecture capture in a practical OR setting. There is also a debriefing room, allowing the students and faculty review the recordings when they are complete.
  • Other upgraded rooms include Hyland 305, O’Hara 406 & 627, Loyola Science Center 591 and the Chapman Retreat Center meeting room.

New Technologies

  • Apple TV has been deployed in Brennan 203 and 509, McDade 222 and Loyola Science Center 333.  If you would like to learn more or request training, contact the Technology Support Center.

Glen Pace Receives Sursum Corda Award

Congratulations to Glen Pace, Field Services Technician for being a Sursum Corda (Lift Up Your Hearts) Awards recipient. This award recognizes members of the University who have made outstanding contributions to the life and mission of the University. IT-355

Read the following except from Dr. Don Boomgaarden’s speech from the Spring Convocation that took place on February 16, 2016.

Born and raised in Dunmore, Glen is the younger of two sons. During his youth, Glen’s parents, Ruth and the late Carmen Pace, owned a neighborhood market, Dick Pace’s Market. Although his immediate family was small, Glen felt part of a larger family through the neighbors that his father’s market served.

Upon graduating from Dunmore High School, Glen considered two career paths: the military or college. Johnson College’s acceptance came in the mail first and so began his long career with electronics/computers. In 1988, Glen accepted the position at the University thinking he would stay about five years – just long enough to get some experience.  Well, five years has turned into 28 and he’s happily still counting!  In Glen’s role, he has the opportunity to work side by side with different members of our campus community including fellow staff, faculty and administrators, providing the best service and solution to get them back working again. Glen has been a mentor to new personnel in his department which helped them become successful as field service technicians. Glen is motivated, courteous, dependable and kind to everyone he meets: he can come to us on our worst day and make our lives easier, leaving us with a smile.

Glen served two terms as Senator for the Staff Senate. He has served on the Staff Senate Development Committee, various committees within the Information Technology division, the Jesuit Center work/life retreat and volunteers his time to provide computer technical assistance for local police departments. He helped to coordinate a donation of technology from the University to a Women’s Shelter in Dunmore. Outside of the University, Glen and his wife rescue stray cats for their local shelter, capturing strays from their community to be spayed or neutered by Eastern Pennsylvania Animal Alliance. Glen spends time visiting with his mother who, due to Alzheimer’s, currently resides in a nursing home. More than anything in life, Glen knows that helping others, doing what you enjoy and meeting others where they need you is the foundation of happiness.

It is with great honor that I congratulate and present to Glen the Sursum Corda Award.

Tool Highlight: Skype for Business

skypeCommunicate instantly with your colleagues through Skype for Business. With a click of a button, you will be able to text, make a video or voice call, or even start an online meeting. You can use Skype for Business from nearly any Windows PC or mobile device (Lync on Macs or mobile devices) on campus or anywhere in the world you have Internet access.

It is already installed on your computer
Go to your Start menu> All Programs > Microsoft Office 2013 > Skype for Business 2015

Although Skype and Skype for Business offer similar features, we have only approved Skype for Business for office use. If you’re using a Mac, click here for information regarding Lync.

Login Credentials

Your username is your scranton email: firstname.lastname@scranton.edu
Your password is your my.scranton password

Find your colleagues
skypebox

1.  Find the search box on the main Skype for Business contacts page, just below the Contacts tab.
2.  Click in the search box and type in the person’s name or their @scranton.edu email address.
3.  When you see the listing for the person you want to add, point at their picture or avatar to see your options (such as message, voice call, video call or add to contacts).

Additional features
–  By default, your contacts’ online status is determined by his or her Outlook calendar.
–  Meet with up to 250 people—even if they’re not on Skype for Business. All they need is a phone or internet connection.

Get started with Quick Start Guides
Microsoft.com offers detailed and comprehensive Skype for Business guides and online tutorials. Here are some quick guides to get you started.

Make sure to visit Microsoft’s Discover Skype for Business website for additional resources.

Please note: While Skype for Business is available to all faculty and staff, you may or may not choose to use it. 

Sneak Peek: Windows 10

windows10Windows 10, released by Microsoft last July, has been downloaded to over 200 million devices worldwide. This new operating system combines the look and feel of Windows 7 with the menu tiles introduced in Windows 8.

As with any new operating system release, some software applications or devices (such as printers, scanners) may not install or work correctly. This is why IT Services will be working with each department after a more thorough review has been completed. Computer upgrades will be gradual and necessary in order to keep our systems secure and compliant. Windows 7 will end its support on January 14, 2020.

When will my office computer be upgraded to Windows 10? How can I help?

IT Services is currently looking for volunteers to test Windows 10 alongside our IT staff to determine its compatibility with our University applications (e.g. AppXtender, iDOds, Banner, etc). Because office staff uses various applications to perform daily tasks, they are vital in providing us with feedback that will help IT with the campus-wide implementation. If you would like to be part of our early adopters team, please email itservices@scranton.edu.

Save the Date: IT Forum

Join us on March 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.  to learn more about Windows 10 features and the implementation process. IT staff will be available to answer your questions. A light lunch will be provided. Reserve your seat.

Training

A new operating system with new features also means that it’s very different to use. Training sessions are currently being developed and will be offered in the coming weeks. Visit scranton.edu/it_training to review our training options.