Classroom Technology Support and Services

Technology in the Curriculum

The College encourages instructors to consider ways to incorporate the use of technology throughout the curriculum. Instructors teaching in a technology-enabled classroom will be expected to integrate the use of technology into their pedagogy and will be asked to report on how they used the technology and to recommend future applications. The Director will be available for individual consultations, as well as quick-start training and brain-storming sessions for developing innovative technology pedagogy. Faculty using technology in the classroom can expect priority support.

Resources:

To explore new ways to integrate technology into your currculum, you can:

Make an appointment with the Director of IT, Lori Bailey to review your syllabus and goals and discuss which technologies might enhance your curriculum. Lori can also arrange to come to your class to help introduce technology-enabled units.

Visit the Instructional Support Center and access:

Training and one-on-one consultations on the use of Blackboard, Temple's primary online course creation, delivery, and management tool, and assistance creating and deploying online tests and quizzes and using electronic gradebook tools
Access to and assistance with digital imaging software and equipment including text, graphics, and slide scanning and digital cameras
Assistance creating and delivering classroom materials such as PowerPoint presentations
Assistance creating and delivering digital audio and video to be deployed via audio CD, DVD or streaming media
Printing via Laser, Color Laser and Poster printers
Training and consultations on the use of the CPS (Classroom Participation System), smart classroom equipment, or any other instructional technology used at Temple University
Assistance using chat, discussion forums, and/or listserv technology to enhance the teaching/learning experience

ISC's office in the TECH Center includes drop-in stations for faculty development and a high-end conference room for meeting with other instructors, graduate assistants, and students.

Technology-Enabled Classrooms

The College of Education currently manages a small collection of technology-enabled classrooms, including:

Ritter Hall Rooms 106, 202, 205, 206, 207, 208, 211, 302, 303, and 309; Ritter Annex Rooms 271, 300, 301 and 700, and Weiss Hall Room 312: These "Smart" classrooms include an integrated lectern and overhead projector with a PC computer, VCR/DVD player, and document camera (RH 211 & RH 303 or by request). Laptop support is also available.
Ritter Hall, Room 306: Computer Classroom -- This small, 15 station PC classroom can be used for regular classes, as well as special events and seminars. This lab also serves as our Accessible Computing and Information Technology (ACIT) lab.
Education Computer Center (ECC), Ritter Hall, Room 310 -- The ECC includes 3 computer classrooms and a student lab. Classes are scheduled at the request of faculty. The student lab is open for drop-in use during regularly scheduled hours (see the ECC web site for the most current information).

How to Request a Technology-Enabled Classroom

If you are teaching a class, and would like to request a classroom with a computer (smart room), or a computer lab, for a future semester, please complete the following steps:

Download and complete the Technology Classroom Reservation Request Form (pdf) and submit this form to your Department's Office Manager.
Your Office Manager will review and forward your request to Donna Edwards, in the Dean's Office. Ms. Edwards will review the available College of Education rooms and assign a room, if available. If no College of Education rooms are available, she will forward your request to Instructional Scheduling to locate another technology-enabled room on campus.
Please do not forward your requests directly to Instructional Scheduling. To insure the best use of our available facilities, your request must be reviewed by your department and the Dean's Office.

Turning Your Classroom Into a "Smart" Room

If you are unable to reserve a technology-enabled classroom, or if you have special projects that require technology during certain meetings of your course, you can request a SMART CART, which typically includes a cart with a digital projector, computer, VCR/DVD. TV carts are also available.

Media carts are available centrally from Classroom Technology Support. It is recommended that for classroom use, CTS is your first resource. CTS staff will deliver your cart to your classroom and pick it up at the end of your class. CTS equipment is regularly tested and maintained to insure good working order. CTS will also provide immediate help if any equipment is not working properly.

In addition to CTS equipment, each department typically maintains one or two carts for special events. The Dean's Office also has a cart that can be reserved for meetings, presentations, and conferences. This equipment is designed to be used for special events and is frequently in-demand. It is therefore suggested that CTS equipment be used whenever possible. For more information on scheduling special events, see "Requesting equipment and CTS Service for non-credit and special events."

How to Request a Media Cart

Use the online Equipment Request Form (preferred) or call the Ritter Hall CTS Depot (215-204-7758) and use their automated system to place your request. The earlier you place your request, the more likely equipment will be available. To insure enough time to process your request, please make your request at least two-days in advance.

If CTS does not have equipment available:

Contact Lori Bailey, the Director of IT, to request the Dean's Office Smart Cart. This cart is maintained by the Director's office and has updated equipment. Phone: (215) 204-6263. Email: lori.bailey@temple.edu.
Contact your Department Office Manager and find out if your department maintains a cart of their own that can be borrowed.
Contact other Department's to find out if their equipment is available. Most department's will share their equipment when not otherwise in use. However, you should expect to pickup and return the equipment yourself

Remember: regardless of where you borrow it, you should return equipment in the same condition it was given to you (please do not unplug or remove equipment).

If you would like to request a computer lab or a specialized classroom for one or two days for your class, please contact Lori Bailey, Director of IT, to discuss the available options. Phone: (215) 204-6263. Email: lori.bailey@temple.edu.

Accessibility, Technology, and the Classroom

The College of Education is committed to supporting students with disabilities in accessing the multitude of opportunities and services available to them throughout our courses, programs, and departments.

Organizations, both public and private, are working to be fully accessible to this country's 54 million citizens with disabilities as well as foreign visitors. Organizations that receive government funding are required to provide accessible programs and services under Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A more recent law, the 1990 Americans with Disability Act (ADA), extends accessibility provisions to the private sector in order to help guarantee persons with disabilities employment and the right to enter the economic, social and cultural mainstreams. The ADA goes well beyond federally funded organizations to encompass private sector entities that serve the public, including cultural organizations that do not receive federal support, retail businesses, movie theaters, and restaurants.

Invite Participation

Statements about the availability of accommodations are a way of inviting individuals with disabilities to participate in creating a more accessible campus. By encouraging advance inquires, you can identify any needed accommodations early so that they can be implemented in a seamless fashion that normalizes rather than draws attention to access.

When you receive questions about accessibility or an accommodation request you may not always be sure how to respond. When that happens, get the individuals contact information, make sure you understand their question or request, and let them know you will get back to them shortly. If you need assistance in responding you can contact Disability Resources and Services (DRS - www.temple.edu/disability).

Below, there are four model statements. You should be able to adapt one of them for almost any situation. If you wish to include one of the symbols for accessibility with your statement, they can be downloaded from Graphic Symbols for Accessibility (www.gag.org/resources/das.php)

Model Statements

For Events

(To appear on calendars, posters, flyers and other announcements or advertising for the event.)

If you have questions concerning access, wish to request a sign language interpreter or accommodations for a disability please contact {insert name and contact information including an e-mail or TTY number}. Early requests are encouraged, a week will generally allow us to provide seamless access.

On Web Pages

(To appear as text on pages if you are not sure of usability)

If you have difficulty accessing any portions of this page with adaptive technology, please contact {insert page owner/web master name, e-mail, phone, and TTY if available}.

On Publications

(To appear on catalogs, brochures, and other University publications)

If you need to request this information in an accessible format (Braille, digital, tape or large print) please contact {insert name and contact information including an e-mail or TTY number}.

On Syllabi

(To appear on all syllabi)

If you need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability, you should contact me to arrange an appointment as soon as possible. At the appointment we can discuss the course format, anticipate your needs and explore potential accommodations. I rely on the office of Disability Resources and Services (DSR) for assistance in verifying the need for accommodations and developing accommodation strategies. If you have not previously contacted Disability Resources and Services, I encourage you to do so.