eHelpThe 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.
Standard equipment will include:
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.
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.
Each classroom is equipped with a telephone that can be used to contact the Cal Poly Pomona Help Desk. .
Yes, I&IT will be offering training classes for faculty throughout the year.
Additionally, if needed, faculty may request the assistance of an IT-FITS student for one-on-one support by calling Studio Six at X3099.
If you make a reservation for this equipment through Media Distribution (X3920 or MediaOrder@csupomona.edu), you can either pick up the equipment in Building 5 or it can be delivered to your classroom.
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.
No. Receiving a laptop is completely optional.
The desktop that you are currently using remains the property of your college. Your Dean will make decisions about the disposition of those machines.
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, port replicator (PC only), and security lock. A laptop tote bag is also part of the package.
For details on the laptop specifications, see specs.
The college technicians will install software specific to your college.
You will receive a cable lock with your laptop. This device will allow you to secure your laptop to a heavy object (such as your desk). Provided that you take due care, you will not be held responsible for loss or theft of your laptop.
Contact your departmental or College technician. He/she will make arrangements with I&IT for a substitute computer.
Both Dell and Apple have 24/7 telephone support. This support is limited to hardware and operating systems (Windows or Mac OS) problems. During operating hours (Monday – Thursday, 7:00 AM -6:00 PM), we suggest you first call the I&IT Help Desk for assistance at 909.869.6776.
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.
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.
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, their 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.
Am I required to use network storage and file synchronization ?
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.
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. I&IT will also offer workshops on a variety of subjects such as mobile computing and wireless networks, as well as offering online support and training through 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.
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 web site and run the presentation from that site. I&IT staff are available to help you and your students learn how to use that last option.
