Applications:

1. Please see - Computer Labs - Setup Requests
2. Please see - Classrooms - Multi-media

Faculty Office Computer Setup

1. Laser Printer - Each faculty office should have a networked laser printer that all faculty in that office can access.  Since it is not practical to run down the hall to the stairs, and then run down the stairs, and then run down the hall to the mail/printer room every time we need to print out a page, teachers have two options. 
   Both options are patently unfair to the teachers:
   1. The teacher can buy a personal printer for the faculty office, or
   2. The teacher can print out everything at home. 
   • "The College tries to provide the appropriate technology within the budgetary realities it faces. In an average year capital requests exceed funding by over 3 to 1. We save by not putting printers in every office, remember not just the capital purchase cost, but operating as well. People tend to print a lot more when it is convenient." - Kieran Huxley - 2008-02-23
2. DVD (RW) drives are needed.  CDs are almost obsolete.
   • "All new computers come with DVD drives." - Kieran Huxley - 2008-02-23
3. Computers are not powerful enough for the latest operating system.  The computers will need to be changed soon.
4. Our desks (where we put our monitors and keyboards) are too small.  The desks are not set up ergonomically (e.g. with keyboard drawers). 
5. Our offices are too small.  There are too many teachers per office.
6. Security - Anyone who has a Dawson College network account can sit down at any teacher's computer and log in, thereby creating a permanent, persistent account (e.g. JoeStudent) on that computer.  Any time that individual returns to that computer the account and all the settings are still there in "C:\Documents and Settings\JoeStudent".
   Even worse, this individual (e.g. JoeStudent) is automatically an Administrator on that computer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  That means that any student can do anything (ANYTHING) on that computer.  That individual can change passwords, read and copy or delete any files on the computer.  This means that there is really no security and no privacy on any faculty computer.  Any student or any other teacher can take control of any teacher's computer.  This situation is unacceptable. 
   Ken Fogel also pointed out that students can even access the teacher's computer remotely and take it over (for whatever purpose).  Very scary situation!!
   Note:  Ken Fogel has provided a simple and elegant solution to this problem.

Classroom Computer Setup

1. Remote control for ceiling projector in the classroom - There is still no acceptable solution to the problem of turning on the classroom projectors.  It is unacceptable to have to go to the A/V Department before each and every lesson to get a remote control just to turn on the ceiling projector.  A remote control should be secured in every classroom and available to every teacher.  We need to find a reasonable solution for turning on/off the ceiling projectors.  Many faculty members have gone to class in a very bad mood after having to go and beg for a remote control from A/V. It is unfair of the administration to force all teachers to be put in a situation where they are often harassed and humiliated by the A/V department.   There is no valid reason to insist on forcing all teachers to waste time before and after every class in order to get a remote control for the ceiling projector.
   • Update - September 2008 - 17 of the 30 new NEC projectors have already been installed. The other NECs should be installed by the end of this term. That means that there will be 30 more multimedia classrooms available for Winter 2009. Scheduling did not use these 17 new multimedia classrooms as multimedia classrooms for the Fall 2008 term.
     • NEC projectors come with desktop software to control the NEC projector's built-in hardware controller.  Log into the computer and a small window appears that will allow you to turn on/off the projector and allow you to change the source input for the projector.  This works!!!   This is what we have been dreaming of.
     • Dell computers do not have a built-in hardware controller that can be controlled by software.  Dell computers "MAY" be able to use a controller box that was designed by a school in Alberta.  P&F along with George Mack (Computer Science) are trying to perfect software to make this work.  Controllers will need to be purchased.  Controllers will need to be installed (in the ceilings?).  Software will need to be installed and tested.  This solution looks somewhat promising.
       • If this solution doesn't work, P&F promises to order new NEC projectors to replace the Dells (circa 2004) in the 3H / 4H wings (and elsewhere?).
       • If this doesn't happen, let's hope that P&F can come up with an acceptable solution for classrooms with Dell ceiling projectors.  (Remote controls assigned on demand for the whole term to any teacher having to work in those classrooms?)
   • Update - January 2009
   • Summary - Multimedia classrooms with a NEC ceiling projector do not need a hand-held remote control.  Starting in January 2009, no teacher should have to go to AV to get a hand-held remote control before each and every class and then go back to AV to return the hand-held remote(s) at the end of the day.
   • Update - December 2008
     • Please see - Classrooms - Multi-media
   • Update - January 2012
     • Most classrooms are now equiped with computers, ceiling projectors, and software on the computer to control the projector.
2. Mouse and Keyboard cables are much too short.  The keyboard drawer is a stupid idea.  Nobody can ever sit at the podium (because the podium is too high to use as a desk).  The mouse and keyboard need to be on top of the desk so they can be accessible to the teacher during the lesson.  The cables are too short.
   Perhaps "remote clickers" will solve the mouse problem. However, the keyboard is more of a problem than the mouse.  The cables are too short.
   • Update - September 2008 - In classrooms with a brand new computer, the mouse&keyboard cables are long enough.
3. Monitor - The computer monitor is fixed permanently under glass that is at an angle that perfectly reflects the ceiling lights.  It is extremely difficult to see the monitor unless the classroom lights are turned off.  This reflection causes a great deal of visual stress.
4. Why are the projector screens set up right in the middle of the blackboard?  It is impossible to use both the projector and the keyboard.
5. DVD (RW) drive - The computers only have CD drives.  Even the textbook publishers are now using DVDs to distribute pedagogical material.  It is extremely difficult to use the DVD/VHS player for videos because there are no controls on the DVD/VHS player to use the video's menus.  The DVD/VHS player requires FastForwarding through the DVD the same way you would FF through a VHS tape.  We need a DVD (RW) drive in the computer in the classroom.
• "All new computers come with DVD drives." - Kieran Huxley - 2008-02-23
6. Computers are not powerful enough for the latest operating system.  The computers will need to be changed soon.  In my opinion, the fastest computers (PCs) should be in the classroom so that our students can benefit from a more dynamic multimedia teaching/learning experience.
   • "This year we are replacing all 60 of the (multimedia classroom) computers with new college standard machines." - Kieran Huxley - 2008-02-23
   • Update - January 2012
     • Most classrooms are now equiped with adequate computers, ceiling projectors, and software on the computer to control the projector.

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