POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL FOR

MEDIA SERVICES EQUIPMENT

ON THE

DUNWOODY CAMPUS,

GEORGIA PERIMETER COLLEGE

 January 11, 2005

 

GENERAL

 

I.              Mission Statement. The mission of the Instructional Technology

and Media Services Department (IT/MS) on the Dunwoody Campus of Georgia Perimeter College is to provide noteworthy technology support for the Technology Vision for Dunwoody Campus.

II.        Purpose. The purpose of this manual is to communicate to faculty members the policies and procedures governing media equipment support for instructional technology on the Dunwoody Campus.

 III.       Scope.            This manual is applicable to all full-time and part-time faculty conducting courses on the Dunwoody Campus. The equipment covered under this manual includes all technology hardware and software used to support instruction in the classrooms on Dunwoody Campus. Office technology is not covered under the scope of this manual.

 IV.          Tier Concept. There are ninety-seven (97) total classrooms on the

Dunwoody Campus contained within buildings A, B, C, D, E, F, and LRC. This number includes computer laboratories for student use located in A and E buildings. For instructional technology purposes, these classrooms are divided into Tiers, depending upon the level of instructional technology available, as outlined below:

 

a. TIER ONE (T1): No permanently installed instructional technology. Portable devices on carts are rolled into classroom for use (such as LCD projector/laptop on cart, TV monitor with VCR on carts, etc.). 45% of the classrooms (44) on Dunwoody Campus are in this category.

b. TIER TWO (T2): Ceiling-mounted LCD projector linked to peripherals via cable or communications link box, for use with PC, VCR, laptop, etc. via remote control or electronic controller. 32% of Dunwoody Campus classrooms (31) are in this category.

c. TIER THREE (T3): SMART technology installed with peripherals. Percentage on Dunwoody Campus = 22% (21 classrooms).

d. TIER FOUR (T4): SMART Technology and Videoconferencing capability integrated into the classroom. Percentage on the Dunwoody Campus = 1% (1 classroom).

 

V.            Media Hardware. Generally, any device used to provide

projection or information management support for instruction is available for use by full-time or part-time faculty, subject to the limitations and/or availability as described in this manual. These include computers, LCD projectors, TV monitors, VCRs, 35MM slide projectors, overhead projectors, video cameras, mobile wireless carts, etc. Hardware is not ÒownedÓ by the IT/MS Department, but is purchased with funds made available from GPC Student Technology Fees, Academic Departments, and other sources, both internal and external to Dunwoody Campus; however, the IT/MS Department does provide management of those hardware resources in order to maximize usage campus-wide and provide limited repair and maintenance of these items. All requests for purchases of technology equipment to be used on the Dunwoody Campus must be coordinated with the IT/MS department in advance of the purchase.

 

VI.          Media Software. Any software program written to enhance instruction may be used by full- or part-time faculty, subject to availability as described in this manual. The software must be:

a.       Purchased by the College for classroom support.

b.       Licensed by the Seller for use by GPC.

c.       Windows 2000 compatible.

 

Examples are ÒSmartÓ technology software, Microsoft Windows 2000 and Office 2000, Mathematica, ChemLab, etc.

 Note: The loading of software onto College-owned computers is a function of the IT/MS Department. Administrator rights are required in order to load software that affects the registry of the computer in any way. Contact the Academic Department Chair to have licensed software loaded onto classroom computers. The Chair will coordinate with the IT/MS Department.

 

VII.     Instructional Media. Videotapes, DVDs, CDs, records, and audiocassettes are available from the Learning Resources Center on the Dunwoody Campus. The Dunwoody IT/MS Department does not coordinate for instructional media. The Library's Circulation Department processes requests for items from the GPC nonprint collection and from other library resources. The Circulation Department also places materials on Reserve status for student in-house use and/or for short-term loans. Requests for purchase of nonprint materials that will become part of the collection are accepted by the Library, but a reasonable lead time is advised. Neither the IT/MS Department nor the Library provides blank discs, videocassettes, CDs, batteries, or other consumables associated with instructional technology. These items are provided by the faculty member's department.

 

POLICIES

I. Personnel. Faculty members are responsible for the use and security of classroom instructional technology media equipment . Students are not allowed to make requests for, pick up, or deliver media equipment. Students may use classroom-related media and equipment once requested by the faculty member. Guest speakers or lecturers may also use media equipment when requested by a faculty member. Currently, it is the policy of Dunwoody Campus for Media Services personnel to deliver requested media equipment to all T1 classrooms for faculty use. T2 and T3 equipment is permanently installed and may be used by faculty at any time without request. Equipment delivered to a T1 classroom for use by faculty will be picked up by Media Services following use unless other arrangements are made, so that the items are available to other faculty at a later date.

 

II.        Off-Campus Use. Full-time and part-time faculty may use media equipment to support instruction at off-campus locations provided they have signed for the equipment and agreed to be responsible for it while in their possession. Personal use of College-owned media equipment is not authorized.

 

III.       Training. Training for faculty concerning the use of instructional technology is available from Instructional Technology personnel. Contact the on-campus representative to schedule training on the use of media equipment. The current contact number is 770-551-3156.

 

PROCEDURES

 

I.              On-Campus Requests. Requesting use of media equipment for support in T1 classrooms involves two important steps:

 

a. Advance Notice. Requests must be received in the IT/MS Department at least 24 hours in advance of intended use, but 48 hours is preferred. For Monday use, requests should be received by noon on the preceding Friday. Because of limited equipment availability, requests will be honored on a first come, first served basis. It is advisable for frequent users to reserve equipment for the entire semester to ensure availability.

 

b. Use of Correct Format. Requests must be sent through the Academic Department with all information necessary using the on-line Media Request format. This is the preferred method and ensures the best results. The online url is http://www.gpc.edu/~gpcdun/Technology.htm. Our email address is dunhelpdesk@gpc.edu. In case of an emergency or in-class requests for assistance, the IT/MS Department will attempt to ensure that telephone requests are properly addressed and passed on to the appropriate person. Please be sure all information is included when making a telephone request.

 

II.           Off-Campus Requests. Requests for the use of media equipment off-campus involves all the procedures above, plus one additional step. The user must sign a form for off-campus usage, agreeing to be responsible for the equipment. A reproduction of the form is at Appendix A. It will be filled in by the Media Services person checking out the equipment, signed by both parties, and the original given to the user with a copy retained by the IT/MS Department. Upon return, the equipment will be checked for serviceability by Media Services and signed back in. A copy of the completed form will be given to the user and the original retained by the Department. As a memory aid, please observe that the original of the form stays with the equipment during the entire process.

 

III.          Equipment Removal. Please do not remove equipment from any classroom on campus. This will be accomplished by either Media Services or Protective Services. Removal of equipment, or borrowing, only causes confusion. Media Services is not responsible for equipment that is removed from a classroom by faculty members.

 

IV. Damaged Equipment. If a faculty member discovers that media equipment has been accidentally damaged, contact Media Services as soon as possible. Do not wait until the next class period. If vandalism is suspected, the faculty member who discovers the damage must report it to Protective Services at 770-551- 3039 as soon as possible so that an investigation may be initiated.

 

IV.          Stolen Equipment. If the faculty member discovers any theft of computer or media services equipment, it must be reported by the faculty member to Protective Services at 770-551-3039 as soon as possible, not to Media Services, so that an investigation may be initiated.

V.            Replacement Lamps and Bulbs. Inform Media Services when projector lamps or bulbs need to be replaced as soon as it is discovered. Do not wait until the next class period. Lamps and bulbs are very expensive items, so turn off all projectors following use!

VI.          Cabling/Connection Issues.

a.             Laptops. Please request assistance prior to using laptop (notebook) computers in classrooms because of cabling issues.

b.             TV/VCR. When using a TV/VCR combination, ensure that the TV channel is set on either CH 3 or CH 4. On the back of the VCR, there is a switch that determines which channel will be compatible. The position labeled L is CH 3 and position H is CH 4. Also, ensure that the cabling from VCR to the TV is left in place. Removing the cable for any reason may make it difficult for the next user to re-connect.

c.             Wall outlets. Always check the wall power outlet or surge protector to ensure a good connection if the equipment will not turn on. Computers using network cable should be checked to ensure the cable is securely connected to the computer port and wall-mounted plate.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Media Services

E-mail: helpdesk@gpc.edu

Web: www.gpc.edu/~gpcdun/Technology.htm

In person: Top floor of A Bldg, Dunwoody Campus

Telephone: 770-274-5445

 

Instructional Technology

E-mail: nyoung@gpc.edu

In person: Office E2607, Lab E2903, Dunwoody Campus

Telephone: 770-274-5221

 

Protective Services

 In person: Bldg I1100, Entrance to Dunwoody Campus

Telephone: 770-274-5315

 

Library Services

 In person: Bldg NLRC, Learning Resources Center, Dunwoody Campus

Telephone: 770-274-5085

Web address www.gpc.edu/~dunlib

Frequently used telephone numbers:

Circulation 770-274-5085

Access Services Librarian 770-274-5093

Reference 770-274-5100