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Technical Support / Free Software / Training / Reserving Computer Classrooms / Oncourse / Support for Teachers in Computer Classrooms / Computer Room Switch Schedule / Software in Computer Classrooms / Planning the Syllabus for Computer Room Classes / Student Orientation to the Computer Classroom

 

Technology Resources for Teaching Writing

The Writing Program strongly supports writing teachers who wish to integrate technology into their pedagogy. Technology can increase interaction and collaboration, teach process steps, demonstrate revising and editing skills, and help students develop critical research skills.

 

Pedagogical Support

 

Technical Support

  

Classroom Technology 

Classroom computers (and those in Cavanaugh lobbies) are maintained by Classroom Services through University Information Technology Services (UITS). Call Classroom Services at 274-8400 for help with projectors or other equipment. You may also call the Classroom Services consultant on duty at 274-0779.

The  Knowledge Base is a database of thousands of answers to questions about computing is available at Indiana University’s award-winning Knowledge Base. (http://kb.iu.edu/)

The UITS Support Center (http://uits.iu.edu/) addresses general questions or problems concerning technology. Their services and hours are as follows:

 

Office Technology

Liberal Arts Technical Services staff are available for faculty who need help with network connections or office computing:

 

Free Software

Free software can be downloaded from IUWare, (http://iuware.iu.edu/) such as Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010, Photoshop Elements 8, and Creative Suite 5 Design Premium.

 

Training

University Integrated Technology Services (UITS) offers 3-hour classes for faculty and staff on Adobe, Excel, Dreamweaver, and many more. For more information, contact IT Training and Education at 274-7383 (http://ittraining.iu.edu/).

 

Reserving Computer Classrooms

Those instructors not teaching in a Cavanaugh Hall computer classroom who would like to reserve one  (on a one-time basis or for several class sessions) can complete the online form at https://db.liberalarts.iupui.edu/fms/

For availability of other computer classrooms (Student Technology Centers) on campus, such as BS 3003 and BS 3001, see "How can I reserve an STC for a class?" at http://kb.iu.edu/data/aezq.html.

 

Oncourse

Oncourse, IU’s online collaboration and learning environment, powered by Sakai, supports teaching and learning, committees, projects, research, and portfolios for Indiana University’s community of students, faculty, and staff.

 

Online Resources

 

Individual Support

The IUPUI Center for Teaching and Learning 317-274-1300 thectl@iupui.edu provides support for integrating Oncourse CL into teaching.

 

Support for Teachers in Computer Classrooms

The English Department was one of the first in the country to offer composition classes in computer classrooms (in 1985), based on the knowledge that computers are the most powerful writing tools available. Using technology invigorates the teaching of writing by supporting the writing process, enhancing collaboration, fostering deep revision, and enabling rapid instructor and peer response. "Activities for Teaching with Technology" is a link to the Writing Program website which provides examples of productive and creative uses of technology in writing classes (http://liberalarts.iupui.edu/english/index.php/academics/wtgp/wtgp_tech_bp).

 

Our assumptions about teaching with computers are as follows:

 

Computer Room Switch Schedule

Currently, all sections of W132 and W231, and several sections of W131, meet in computer classrooms, but we have only two computer rooms available, CA 323 and 425. To increase the number of sections offered in computer classrooms, we use a switch schedule for classes meeting twice a week. This means the class will meet in a computer classroom (CA 425 or CA 323) one day a week and in a traditional classroom (CA 349 or CA 347) one day a week.

Instructors should pay close attention to the teaching assignment memo from the Writing Program office because it includes the switch schedule (which begins the second week of the semester).

First week of the semester: All class meetings are held only in the room listed on the Registrar’s Schedule of Classes.

M/W and T/Th classes: The instructor’s teaching assignment memo will indicate which day the class meets in the computer room and which day it meets in a traditional classroom. It will also state the room the class will meet in during the first week of classes.

Once a week classes: Most sections meeting once a week have access to both the computer classroom and the traditional classroom for the entire class session. It is important to meet regularly in the computer room-on alternate weeks, perhaps, or part of every class session-since the room is reserved.

The computer classroom door will be opened at least 15 minutes prior to class. Instructors who find the door locked when they arrive for class should contact a consultant, Vicki Hale in CA 423, or ask for a key at the Dean’s office, CA 441.

 

Software in Computer Classrooms

On the desktops students will find MS Word, Publisher, Explorer, Firefox, PowerPoint, and Excel, as well as access to Oncourse and e-mail accounts. The University Library’s home page can also be accessed in class for online research. Students should be required to use Word so they can easily access their files in class. If they do not have Word on their home computer, they may download free software from IUWare (available to faculty as well).

 

Planning the Syllabus for Computer Room Classes

It’s a good idea for instructors to list computer room policies on their syllabi and to go over them with students the first time the class meets in the computer room. Following are some policies other instructors have included:

*Instructors who wish to take water or coffee class are asked to please leave it on the front table, not by the instructor workstation.

Faculty who teach in the computer classroom can consider scheduling activities on their computer room days that take advantage of the technology. They should look first at what they want to teach during a particular session, and then decide how technology might be integrated to achieve the objectives. The software/hardware should be tested in advance, to prepare clear instructions, and to make sure students understand the purpose of the activity. Require something to be reported or submitted, either verbally, on paper, or via e-mail, at the end of the activity to ensure that students stay on task (instead of  on Facebook!) Have a back-up plan in case the technology is unavailable due to system or equipment failure.

Faculty scheduled in the computer room on a day when technology does not fit their plans may ask students to turn off their monitors and set aside their keyboards. Students can move their chairs to improve sight lines or so they can form groups and work collaboratively.

Faculty themselves can decide what technologies will be introduced and when, always making clear to students the pedagogical reason for using the technologies, and introducing only the aspects of a program that further their goals for class that day. Students can be overwhelmed if they are shown all the options at once, and we want to keep the focus on curricular goals, not the technology used to achieve them.

 

Student Orientation to the Computer Classroom

Instructors are encouraged to offer a brief orientation to the computer classroom during one of their first class meetings in the room. Although most students are very comfortable with computers, many still need to be reminded to back up their work and to adhere to the computer classroom policies.

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