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Student Tech CenterKnow Your Student Tech Center Resources Read about all they can offer our students.Page 2

Innovating in the Classroom Chromebooks, iPad 2’s & VoiceThread! Page 4

VoIP & Wireless Upgrade UpdateNew features, Voicemail to Email, More HotSpots for WiFi & More!. Page 5

Digital Communications Systems

“Do you know where the Gym is?” “I’m supposed to meet my friends for lunch at the Artichoke Grill, can you tell

me how to get there?” “I’m looking for the NASA club meeting; do you know what time it starts?” “Do you know where the Communication classes meet?” “How long is this line?” “This is my first time on campus, can you tell me where the bookstore is located?” These are all questions that we have either asked, or been asked. The ITS department is developing a process and procedure for deploying digital signage that will assist our students in answering these questions.

Digital signage delivers relevant, useful information in a format users find attractive and enticing. Displaying custom content that communicates our message easier and more effectively, digital signage increases student interaction and ultimately boosts retention and ROI.

Some of the popular uses ofdigital signage are: Wayfinding – maps and building floor plans Menus – display items that can be easily changed and updated Event Listing and Schedules – inform students and community as to when and where events are happening on campus Advertising – could be used for fundraising

Enhanced Student Experience – communicate with our students additional

services available and club events Emergency Messaging – used for important system-wide messages such as severe weather or building evacuation Televised Events Welcome messages – welcome to our community and guests on campus Virtual Line Management – place students in a virtual line and provide an estimated wait time

Current electronic signage systems are a more sophisticated breed of signage kiosk whose potential is still being discovered. Through touch screen technology, what would be an ordinary sign becomes an interactive experience. A digital signage kiosk can greatly enhance the user experience through its intuitive interface and visual appeal.

A Virtual Line Management software system replaces physical lines and waiting rooms with a virtual, mobile line. Our students can “enter the line” from their cell phone, touch screen kiosks, or the Web. Or, our employees can add them to the line from a

News in IT

EQUIPMENT RENEWALThe SCC ITS Department is currently in the process of a campus equipment renewal cycle. Our initial focus will be on instructional spaces that have the oldest computers on campus. We

have already begun replacing several classrooms and labs in the LC building as well as other instructor stations around campus. Replacement will continue through the Spring semester. We anticipate replacing over 250 computers

in the first phase. Areas will be contacted prior to deployment in order to make arrangements for the new equipment. We look forward to replacing this outdated equipment during this “refresh” process.

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Volume 4 | Number 4 | February 2012TECHtopics((

February 2012 | 2

Digital Communication Systems

Student TechCenter (STC)

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queue manager. Our students will be able to go to the library, cafeteria, fitness center, Student TechCenter, or roam freely while they wait. The system is displayed on digital signage screens around campus with the approximate wait time associated with each student ID. When the students turn “in line” is called, it is displayed on the screen, an SMS or phone call is made to the student saying that they have a set amount of time to respond.

Digital signage provides an engaging experience, and results show that its use can also reduce our carbon footprint. Penn State reported that their faculty found they can use digital signs to boost office sustainability, by eliminating the high cost of creating and distributing print flyers and posters, while at the same time attracting higher levels of audience attention and engagement.1

SCC2020 Value statement for Innovation states: We value a culture of innovation because

we must anticipate and address the evolving needs of our communities. By encouraging and supporting appropriate risk taking and creative problem solving, we meet these needs and solidify our reputation as a premier community college. Watch for future innovations at SCC!•1 Penn State Negotiates Digital Signage Contract for Better ... news.its.psu.edu/story-1292

STC features: ➡ Group Collaboration Rooms with large flat-panel monitors, white boards, and laptop connections

Equipment checkout:➡ Laptop computers

➡ Blu-ray players

Wireless access:➡ Within STC

➡ IT Building Lobby Resources:➡ Textbooks for CIS and BPC classes

➡ Qualified staff to assist students

Editor: Alice Kirk Design: Ken “Gecko” Sliwa

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News in ITLecture Capture Software Pilot Starting Soon

ITS is purchasing a trial license of a popular lecture capture system, called Panopto, which faculty can explore over a six-month period, starting after spring break. Lecture capture software provides a convenient method for an instructor to quickly capture audio and video during a live classroom session or capture a mini-lecture or demonstration in an instructor’s office, classroom, lab, etc. -- then quickly upload it to a web site for viewing by students. Computer and document camera images can be easily included, as well. (Panopto lectures can seamlessly integrate into Instructure Canvas.)

Based on faculty requests, several lecture capture systems have been researched recently, including Tegrity and Echo 360. Panopto was chosen for this pilot period because of its feature set and affordability.

The license is campus-wide, so it can be used by faculty in a classroom, office or it can be tested out in our training room. A microphone and webcam can be checked out from our Media Center.

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Student TechCenter Hours:8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Friday and Saturday

The Student TechCenter (STC) provides one-on-one help with mySCC, Office 2007, Blackboard and many other applications. Homework assistance is also available.

The Help Desk now has a location in the Student TechCenter with a Client Support Analyst on duty for your convenience.

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There are several pilot projects going on this spring in SCC classes:

1) English 101/102 and CPD 150 students will be using Google Chromebooks in their classrooms. Chromebooks are a type of laptop that only accesses programs and applications through the cloud. Students in these classes will be using apps and websites

to engage in active learning experiences. Furthermore, students in the ENG101 and 102 classes will be able to use this new technology for their other classes and their homework as well.

2) iPads will be used in some film classes this semester to assist students with learning

video

production. Using apps

specifically designed for

and used by the film industry,

they will be able to learn about

lighting, filters, lenses and more

without having access to all of the

lights, cameras, and accessories.

iPads were an integral part of a performance of the Bald Soprano, an SCC play selected for a festival

in Utah. The actors will use a special application on the iPads during the play to modulate their voices. (Yes, there’s an app for that!)

3) iPads will be used to tell stories in a digital storytelling class. Students will be able to plan, write, photograph, record and edit their digital stories using iPads.

4) Instructors are experimenting with VoiceThread, a recently-purchased license which is available to the whole SCC campus. Regarded as “conversations in the cloud,” an instructor or student can upload images, video or even documents to VoiceThread, where their classmates can comment in five different ways: using voice (with a mic or telephone), text, audio file, or video (via a webcam). They can even share a VoiceThread with friends, students, and colleagues for them to record comments. With the Doodling tool, a student can draw on top of the media as the comment is being recorded. This is all free to the instructor and students, with no software to download. Go to www.voicethread.com to watch videos on how it’s used in higher education. More information will be coming in the Buzz in February.•

New Learning Management System Unveiling This Year

As you may have heard, the Maricopa Community College District is planning to move to a new Learning Management System (LMS), called Instructure Canvas. This system will eventually replace Blackboard (and Web CT at Mesa). Last Fall, the Maricopa Governing Board approved Mesa as the first college to migrate, starting later this Spring. An LMS Implementation Team was formed to initiate the planning for this two-phase approach. If approved by the Board this

Summer, SCC (and other colleges) will start phasing in Canvas for their classes.

Canvas is regarded as a “next generation”

LMS, with a clean and modern interface that more seamlessly integrates Web 2.0 technologies while maintaining core elements instructors and students have come to depend on. Canvas, for example, incorporates scoring rubrics and learning outcomes functionality. And at a license cost expected to be lower

than Blackboard’s. Once Canvas is implemented Maricopa-wide, it will be similar to the current Blackboard model, in that there will be one copy of Canvas for the nine colleges, and course rosters will automatically populate from SIS.

Canvas follows a Software as a Service (SaaS) model, using a secure global network of servers provided by Amazon web services. With this model, the software will be updated more frequently than occurs with Blackboard.

The LMS Implementation Team soon will be providing a website for providing regular communication to Maricopa faculty, staff and students on the progress of this transition. Until then, you can go here to check on updates: http://showcase.scottsdalecc.edu/canvas.•

Innovating in the Classroom with New Instructional Technologies

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E ENTSV

In addition to the usual training in Blackboard, Office 2010, and WordPress, the Technology Learning Center will be offering introductory sessions on web-based slide presentation software, like Prezi, Animoto, and Slide Rocket. Also, “iPad Imagining” -- lunch-time sessions where you get to share tips and apps with others!

Check the Daily Buzz for dates and times.

R25 UpdateThings to RememberR25 EVENT CALENDAR (WEBVIEWER):

CHECK FOR EXISTING EVENTS before making a new event request

➡ Use Quick Search (by Event Name, Contains, keyword), or

➡ Log on under My Requests, and check for Submitted, or Tentative/Confirmed events CHECK AVAILABILITY OF SPACES before entering a new request

➡ Use Location Availability page➡ Use Filters for Media Classroom, or Capacity 50+ if necessary.

COMBINE LIKE EVENTS ONTO ONE RESERVATION for each semester or fiscal year.

➡ Request changes to add or remove dates to existing events as necessary.

SUBMIT ONLY ONE REQUEST FOR NEW EVENTS WITH MULTIPLE MEETING DATES

➡ Use the COMMENTS field for additional dates and spaces.

REQUEST A CHANGE OR CANCELLATION to an existing event USING EMAIL to events@scottsdalecc.edu, with event reference number in subject line.

ALWAYS AVAILABLE!Search the SCC Knowledgebase for R25!SCC Knowledgebase: (FAQs, how-to, and video guides) http://kb.scottsdalecc.edu/

SCC Help Desk: 480-423-6274, option 3.SCC Help Desk Requests:

https://helpdesk.riosalado.edu/desk/Default.asp?Campus=5 > SCC Computer Service Requests > R25 Issues

LOOK WHAT YOU CAN CHECK OUT FROM US! “iPads, doc cams, response clickers, live scribes, oh my!”

Check out what the Technology Learning Center has for check out by faculty and staff. Go here for the flyer

Training Offerings in Spring 2012

Providing Solutions to Enable SuccessTECHNOLOGY LEARNING CENTER

COMING SOON! Online Request to Sponsor System

SCC Web Calendars Interface

COMING SOON! ➡ Online Request to Sponsor System

➡ SCC Web Calendars Interface

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VoIP Telephone system to be expanded

WIRELESS UPDATES

Over the past few years the new VoIP (Voice over IP) Telephone system has been deployed to the new construction and

major remodeling areas of the campus. Starting this Spring, our new system will be expanded to include the remaining areas of the campus. The technology refresh of the Telephone system will span the following year. New phones and training will be scheduled with workgroups and departments over the Spring to facilitate deployments throughout the calendar year. With the changes to the Telephone system, we have also developed a new Call Center application. Currently, the ITS Helpdesk is using the new Call Center application. The Call Center application will initially be deployed to workgroups who use the current NEC Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) System. The new Call Center will give your customers a robust

call experience and allows you increased application access to manage high volume phone calls more efficiently and productively than ever before.•

Who’s Who inNEW IT EMPLOYEES

FRED SPEIDEL

has accepted the position of Client Support Analyst. Fred has been with SCC for four years, three of which have been with the IT Help Desk. Please join us in welcoming Fred Speidel to the SCC family. •TECHNOLOGY FACTSFrom the smallest microprocessor to the biggest mainframe, the average American depends on over 264 computers per day.

The first e-mail was sent over the Internet in 1972.

As much as 80% of microwaves from mobile phones are absorbed by your head. •

On average, students own two and a half wireless devices. Most current devices leverage wireless technologies that were not available at the time of our initial campus wireless deployment. Over the past two years we have replaced about half our wireless network with new technology. This Spring, we will continue to replace our remaining initial wireless devices. This will allow for greater access by our students who choose personal communication devices that leverage wireless technologies. Scottsdale Community College is supporting an average use of over 600 individual wireless device communications sustained throughout our academic day for thousands of personal owned wireless devices.

There are now more than 200 apps available online.

CLICK IN, GET ON

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