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FALL 2019 TECHNOLOGY UPDATES AND REMINDERS


Get Technology Support for your Fall 2019 course

As we prepare resources for the fall we need information from you on any specialized software, hardware or support for media-based projects that you anticipate. Please use the links below to inform us of your plans. We've also included links for scheduling a pedagogical consultation or classroom tech review.

Please also let us know if there are any existing issues in classrooms we can address over the summer by emailing classhelp@smith.edu.

 

Classroom Technology Upgrades

This summer we will be upgrading all of our classroom computers and some AV technologies.  Key takeaways from this process are:

  • Wireless projection for Mac, Windows and tablets will be expanded to all classrooms.
  • All existing capabilities will remain, although VGA connections will no longer be provided.* .
  • Access to computers in seminar rooms will be relocated to the table.
  • Touch panel displays will be modified to make them easier to use.
  • Documentation and training will be available in August.

*With the expansion of wireless projection all laptops will be able to project. VGA to HDMI adaptors will also be available, upon request.

Computer Software is upgraded on all classroom and laboratory computers each summer. The standard software installed on all classroom and lab computers includes:

  • Adobe Creative Cloud (includes Acrobat, Bridge, Illustrator and Photoshop)
  • Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
  • Web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari on Mac machines, Edge on Windows machines)
  • Zoom

If you need additional software applications installed, please complete the classroom software request form by Friday, June 7.

Note: Additional software is not necessarily carried forward from year to year. Without a request from you, specialized software may not be installed on the newly upgraded computers.


Moodle Update

We are in the process of setting up Moodle for Fall 2019 courses. We will provide information in June regarding how to copy materials from your earlier iterations of a class.

 

Digital Pedagogy and Scholarship Consultation

Learning, Research and Technology (LRT) is a library and ITS group of academic technologists, librarians, media producers, and spatial data analysts. LRT team members partner with faculty and students to advance learning and research, promote critical engagement with collections, data, information and technologies, and foster the development of modes of making and sharing knowledge. During a consultation, we can discuss the ways technology might support your pedagogical goals, and enhance student engagement and experience. We welcome your ideas, at any stage, half baked or fully formed. Email academictechnology@smith.edu to schedule an appointment. Summer appointments are available.

Smith Media Studios - Henshaw D, Smith Media Studios in conjunction with the LRT team offers support for:

  • Media project planning
  • Video and audio recording and production
  • Streaming media
  • Captioning
  • Media duplication and conversion

 

Software Updates and Reminders

Adobe Creative Cloud will now require a login - Students and faculty using Adobe Creative Cloud will be prompted to log in using their Smith ID when launching any of the applications.

Posting Video files to Moodle - Posting video to your Moodle course is best done through Panopto. Under the CREATE menu in Panopto you can upload almost any type of video file for students to view through Moodle. To see how to use it visit: Upload a Video to Panopto for Sharing in Moodle. Your video should conform to copyright laws and be captioned.  Visit Copyright for Media Producers for some helpful guidelines. Email sms@smith.edu for help with captioning.

Technology Accessibility Resources - The Technology accessibility website provides information in the Instructional Materials section on assuring that the materials you post to Moodle or use in your courses are accessible to all of your students.

Printing from smartphones, tablets and personal laptops - Mobility Print simplifies the process of printing from devices, such as smartphones, tablets and laptops. We recommend that faculty, staff and students use Mobility Print when printing from their personal devices. We have also introduced Email to Print capabilities. Visit the TARA Printing at Smith page for more information.

VPN (Pulse Secure) Upgrade coming in Mid-May - The VPN software, Pulse Secure, will be upgraded in mid-May. Look for eDigest announcements for the specific date this will occur. Following the upgrade, the VPN client will prompt you through the upgrade process. Please don’t skip this step. Remember, viewing course evaluations from off-campus requires a secure connection using Pulse Secure.

Workday - All student employment functions are now managed in Workday, including hiring and approving time worked. Watch for an email this summer regarding the launch of finance functionality, including expenses, budget, and grants. For more information about Workday, visit the Workday help page.

 

Technology Services Reminders

Classroom Technology Orientation and Review Sessions - If you are teaching in a new classroom, ITS staff will be happy to meet with you to introduce or review the equipment in the room. Email classhelp@smith.edu to schedule an appointment.

ITS Equipment Loan - Laptops and useful devices for classroom instruction are available for loan from the Class & Event Help Desk in the Seelye basement. Email classhelp@smith.edu to make a request for:

  • Presentation remotes
  • Mac display adapters
  • Laptops for short-term loans

Additional Equipment Available for Classrooms - The following additional equipment is available for classrooms:

  • Document cameras, which replaced overhead projectors
  • Webcams, for video conferencing or class recordings
  • VCRs for VHS tapes that cannot be converted

Email classhelp@smith.edu to make a request. Please let us know when you will need the equipment, what room your class is in and if you would like an introduction to the equipment. Two weeks notice is greatly appreciated.


 

 

 |  Last updated May 8, 2019

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