eHelpQ. What is the Learning-Centered Technology Initiative?
A. The initiative combines two programs intended to help faculty and students use technology to enhance learning. The first aspect will equip all classrooms on campus with modern technology. The second will provide faculty, at their option, with an up-to-date PC or Mac laptop computer.
Q. When will the enhanced classrooms be ready?
A. More than 80 classrooms were equipped by May 2008. Work will continue on an ongoing basis to complete all general purpose classrooms, including refreshing older enhanced classrooms (those with televisions and older data projectors) within three years.
Q. Will the enhanced classrooms have computers in them or will I be required to bring a laptop wherever I teach?
A. Faculty will have a choice. Computers will be installed in the classrooms and will include basic software sufficient for presentations and accessing the Internet. The standard configuration will include MS-Office (including PowerPoint, Excel and Word) and an Internet browser. At their discretion, faculty can also use their laptop, as each classroom will be configured with a laptop connection.
Q. I am happy with my current desktop computer. Do I have to give it up?
A. No. Receiving a laptop is optional.
Q. What happens to my current desktop computer if I choose to get a laptop?
A. The desktop that you are currently using remains the property of your college. Your dean will make decisions about the disposition of those machines.
Q. When will faculty receive laptops?
A. Distribution of the laptops began in April 2005. As of May 2008, more than 530 laptops were delivered. Each summer, I&IT works with the college or departmental technicians to deliver laptops to new tenure-track faculty members who begin each fall.
Q. What kind of laptop will faculty get?
A. One Windows PC and one Mac model will be available. To enhance the use of the laptop while at your desk, each laptop comes with an additional full-size keyboard, mouse, separate monitor and port replicator (PC only). A laptop tote bag is also part of the package.
For details on the laptop specifications, see http://www.csupomona.edu/~ehelp/lct/laptops.html.
Q. What happens if my laptop needs service?
A. Contact your departmental or college technician. He/she will make arrangements with I&IT for a substitute computer.
If you're not sure who your local technician is, see http://www.csupomona.edu/~ehelp/techs.html.
Q. Will we have 24X7 support for the laptops?
A. Both Dell and Apple have 24/7 telephone support. This support is limited to hardware and operating systems (Windows or Mac OS) problems.
However, it is suggested that you first contact your departmental or college technician. If you're not sure who your local technician is, see http://www.csupomona.edu/~ehelp/techs.html.
Q. I plan to carry my computer around with me but I'm worried about losing my data if the computer is lost or broken. What can I do?
A. With the laptop, faculty will also be given 500 megabytes of network storage. We will provide written instructions and personal consultation to show each faculty member how to store your files in addition to or instead of on your laptop.
Using network storage will be as simple as using your local drive and you will be able to access that storage through an Internet connection from wherever you are – in your office, the classroom, at home or at a professional conference.
To learn more about network storage, see the technical FAQs on network storage below.
Q. I sometimes have students do presentations in class, but I am worried about letting them load their files onto my laptop. Isn't this a way to spread viruses?
A. Yes it is, so we strongly discourage you from allowing students and others to put un-scanned files on your laptop (or any computer).
We suggest the following alternatives. Students can use the fixed computers in the classrooms for their presentations and their files will be scanned immediately upon loading.
The safest option is to have students make their files available to you or the entire class by putting their presentations on Blackboard, WebCT or another website and run the presentation from that site. I&IT staff are available to help you and your students learn how to use this last option.
Q. If I have a problem with the technology in the enhanced classrooms, how will I get help?
A. Each classroom is equipped with a telephone that can be used to contact the Cal Poly Pomona Help Desk. If a faculty member calls the Help Desk for assistance in a classroom, he/she should be prepared to provide his/her name and classroom location.
Q. What happens if my laptop needs service?
A. Contact your departmental or college technician. He/she will make arrangements with I&IT for a substitute computer.
If you're not sure who your local technician is, see http://www.csupomona.edu/~ehelp/techs.html.
Q. Will we have 24X7 support for the laptops?
A. Both Dell and Apple have 24/7 telephone support. This support is limited to hardware and operating systems (Windows or Mac OS) problems.
However, it is suggested that you first contact your departmental or college technician. If you're not sure who your local technician is, see http://www.csupomona.edu/~ehelp/techs.html.
Q. What equipment will be added to classrooms?
A. Standard equipment will include:
Q. What if I need equipment that isn't in the classroom, such as a 16mm projector or slide projector, for instance?
A. If you make a reservation for this equipment through Media Distribution, you can either pick up the equipment in Building 5 or it can be delivered to your classroom.
To reserve equipment, see http://www.csupomona.edu/~ehelp/mediadistribution/index.shtml.
Q. What software will be installed on the laptops?
A. The college technicians will install software specific to your college.
Q. Why would I want to use network storage?
A. Network storage provides several benefits to you. First, your files will be backed up on a daily basis. Second, you will be able to access those files from any computer connected to the Internet. Finally, storing sensitive and personal data, especially student data, on any computer or removable device that could be lost or stolen is a serious security risk. Using network storage for that data eliminates that risk.
Q. How will network storage work?
A. Network storage is designed to work using file synchronization. File synchronization, in its simplest form, is automatic copying of files from a specified directory on one system to a directory in a second system. Whenever changes are made, or at specified points, the computers communicate and share any changes that have been made to the directory or files.
New files created on one system are replicated to the other, as are changes made to existing documents. This allows each user to create and store data on his or her computer separately and then when the computers are connected again to the system again, any changes or additions will be carried over to the other system.
When a person returns to the office, his/her laptop can update the modified documents on the server automatically, over the network, preserving all changes and ensuring that there is only ever a single version of each document.
Q. Am I required to use network storage and file synchronization ?
A. No. The network file storing and synchronization options are strictly voluntary. If you or your college or department technician want to store you data another way, you are free to do so. However, support of modified configurations is the responsibility of the college or department technician.
Q. Will I be able to get training on how to use the technology in the enhanced classrooms?
A. Yes, I&IT will be offering training classes for faculty throughout the year.
For a list of available workshops, see http://www.csupomona.edu/~iit/learning/workshops_flash.shtml.
Additionally, if needed, faculty may request the assistance of an IT-FITS student for one-on-one support by calling Studio Six at X3099.
Q. What training will be available to help me use my new laptop?
A. Your laptop will be delivered by your college technician. They will be able to help you get started using your laptop and demonstrate how to use the network storage.
If you're not sure who your local technician is, see http://www.csupomona.edu/~ehelp/techs.html.
I&IT will also offer workshops on a variety of subjects such as mobile computing and wireless networks.
Online support and training is also available through eHelp:
http://www.csupomona.edu/~ehelp.
And at any time, you can also request additional one-on-one support through the IT-FITS program by calling Studio Six at X3099.
