Technology Committee

 

Minutes

November 16, 2006 – Sequoia 7

 

 

Attending:  Don Smith, Marty Gang, Susan Vegter-Slape, Melissa Colon (Recorder), Robert Gritz, Ida Ponder

 

1.  ITC Report – Melissa Colon

                There was discussion about students working in the ITC, mixing student course projects with “for profit” projects.

 

2.  Survey Results for Computer Use

                The committee members reviewed the results. 

·         It was suggested that Brian Greene contact instructors who checked interest in the internet to see if their needs are related to services provided by the college library.

·         Marty will check with Brian regarding access to the Library Demonstration Room – is it open for class sign-out for  research related usage and/or what restrictions are in place?

·         Out of 35 returned surveys, only five responded that they were unable to book a lab when they tried.

 

                Would it be appropriate for the committee to draft recommendations on the optimization of technology resources to accommodate instructors who would like to use a computer lab?  Don mentioned the current Fir Lab time being limited, and that we should examine what the actual students’ needs are to determine the true needs for open time of available labs.  Don will ask Lonnie about some ideas to help determine the needs of students.

 

3.  Web Focus Group Report – Marty Gang

                Three future meetings have been scheduled:

                Tuesday, November 28, 2006, 1:00 – 2:00 pm, MCR

                Monday, December 4, 2006, 3:00 – 4:00 pm, MCR

                Tuesday, December 12, 2006, 1:00 – 2:00 pm, MCR

 

4.  Datatel R18 Update

                There was discussion regarding Connect Columbia.  District Help Desk will handle student support of registration issues with Connect Columbia.  Help Desk (Mardi Brewer) telephone numbers are:

               

                Extension 7800 – Staff and Faculty

                Extension 7900 – Student Online Assistance

 

5.  Scheduling of Technology Resources

                Are the computer labs being used when scheduled or are some labs being scheduled for convenience of instructors? With the new ClassTracks system being trialed soon, technology resource use may be better analyzed. The users of ClassTracks should pay particular attention to the allocated use of our limited technology resources with a view for maximum optimization.

               

6.  Assistive Technology Server Update – Kelley Marshall

                As Kelly was unable to attend there was no update provided. A brief review of the purpose of the server (that was originally discussed at the October 5th meeting) was provided.

 

7.  Ideas for Online Training

                1.  Using desktop capture software (DemoCharge) to create tutorials for Connect Columbia

                2.  Create other training tutorials to assist staff and students in other areas.

                3.  For future discussion, please think about what functions and applications at Columbia could benefit from a simple,

                     computer screen-capture tutorial for students, faculty or staff.

 

8.  Items from Those Attending

                Why isn’t the “W” number simply called a student ID? It was originally created as a single ID to work with the web and Datatel and one resource required a letter as the leading character.