The Student Guide to Information Technology at Landmark College

Transcription

1 The Student Guide to Information Technology at Landmark College Information technology is an integral part of every aspect of Landmark College's education program. It affects everything from the network tools that allow faculty, staff, and students to stay in touch with each other, to the regular use of specific technology applications in the teaching-learning process. The focus on integrating technology into the curriculum is founded on the principles that technology should enhance, not bypass, essential strategic and skill development. Landmark College may be unique in the depth to which we seek to integrate information technology directly into our curriculum. ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE COURSEWORK IN AND OUT OF CLASS 1. How does Landmark use technology to enhance teaching, learning, and access to information in your areas of interest? Examples include online syllabi, web-based discussion groups and project teams, and electronic portfolios. Landmark requires all students to have a notebook computer and assistive technology software, including Kurzweil 3000 (text to speech software) and Inspiration (visual mapping software). Dragon NaturallySpeaking (voice recognition software) is used by many students and is required in some academic programs. Productivity and multi-media software as well as other on-line network resources and the Internet are also used extensively to enhance learning. Landmark uses Moodle course management software in many classes to support instruction in the classroom. Students and their support teams can also track academic progress including goals, grades, attendance, instructor comments and more for each course through the College s Internet Student Information System (ISIS). Landmark s Digital Text Library provides scanning services and electronic copies of purchased textbooks. Students also have access to a wide range of fully supported on-line research database resources through the Library. 2. Are classrooms technology-enhanced? Yes, all classrooms at Landmark have wireless network access and video projection systems at a minimum. Some classrooms have more advanced technology including sound systems, document cameras, DVD systems, interactive tablet displays, and more. 3. In both introductory and specialized courses, what opportunities are there for you to collaborate with other students using technology on project teams? Students primarily use collaboration tools, such as wikis, forums, and chats, through the Moodle course management system as well as to communicate and work with each other and instructors. 4. Does Landmark give credit for courses taken electronically (online/at a distance) from other institutions and sources of instruction?

2 Landmark does not differentiate between on-line and on-campus courses taken elsewhere as long as the student receives a minimum grade of C- and has an official transcript from an accredited institution. SUPPORT SERVICES 5. What training and support services are available to students on the use of assistive technologies? Students may schedule one-on-one sessions or attend group workshops through the Technology Learning Services(TLS) department at Landmark to learn about and develop skills using assistive technologies and productivity software including Kurzweil 3000 (speech to text software), Dragon NaturallySpeaking (voice recognition software), Inspiration (visual mapping software), Microsoft Office, computer basics, and emerging technologies. TLS also conducts inclass trainings in collaboration with faculty. Assistive Technology training and support services are available during the day and some evenings for student convenience. 6. How does Landmark provide access for students to work with multimedia (audio and video)? Students use audio/visual-based assistive technologies in and out of the classroom and have access to various multi-media technologies in the multi-media lab, language learning lab, computer lab, and Library. Multi-media technologies are also used in web design, film, art, communications, and other courses. 7. Are library collections and resources such as catalogs, research databases, special collections, course reserves, full-text electronic journals, books, and streaming media available online and accessible off-campus? Digital versions of textbooks and coursepacks purchased at the Landmark College Bookstore are available and downloadable through Landmark s Digital Text Library for use on or off campus (in Kurzweil format). Other on-line resources available via the Library s website from both on and in most cases, off campus include the Library catalog of print, e-book, and audiovisual resources; encyclopedias (e.g.., Britannica Online); journal, magazine, and newspaper articles (via dozens of on-line databases including, Gale s General OneFile, Lexis-Nexis, JSTOR, and EBSCO s Academic Search Premier and Business Source Premier); and research guides to print and on-line resources by topic and course. 8. Can the library deliver documents to you electronically, either via or through web posting? Does the library charge a fee when information resources that you need are not available in its collections? Most of the Library s article resources are available on-line via its databases. Digital course texts are available via a shared network drive and ebooks are available via WebCat, the online catalog. Students may request items (e.g., books, articles, DVDs) from other libraries free of charge via interlibrary loan (ILL), and these items must be picked up at the Library. 9. Does the library provide research assistance in a variety of ways, such as in person, by phone, by , and through web services? When are these forms of assistance available?

3 Library staff are available to provide individual or group instruction and support to develop research skills on a walk-in or appointment basis. Students may also call, or send or instant messages to the Library with research questions. Research support is available during all hours that the Library is open during the day, evening, and on weekends. LOOKING TOWARD GRADUATION AND A CAREER 10. Does Landmark offer general or profession-specific training programs that will ensure you are fluent in current information technologies when you graduate? Many courses at Landmark have specific technology-related learning outcomes and goals. Web design, film, art, communications, and language courses all include course-specific technology training. Extensive one-on-one and group training and support on the use of assistive technologies both in and out of the classroom are also available. The Students and Technology in Academia, Research and Services (STARS) Alliance offered through Landmark s Institute for Research and Training also provides opportunities for students to explore computing-related fields through research, projects, and internships. STUDENT LIFE ACCESSING COMPUTER SERVICES 11. What public access for computing is available to students? Examples include computing labs, cyber cafés, residence hall computers, and wireless access. Students have access to many computers in various public spaces on campus including the residence hall computer lab (24X7 availability), Library and computer lab (weekdays, evenings, weekends), Center for Academic Support, multi-media lab, and Language Learning lab. All of the labs, classrooms, residence halls, the Library, dining hall, café, and auditorium are wireless accessible. 12. Does Landmark provide institutional accounts for all students and use as an official medium of communication? Yes, all students are provided with , network, Intranet portal, and student system accounts (new students are provided with accounts on initial deposit usually before they arrive on campus). Students are expected to check their Landmark for College correspondence on a regular basis. Account access and related policies are discussed during orientation and described in the Computer and Network Acceptable Use Policy. Alumni may request a Landmark forwarding address upon departure from the College. 13. Does Landmark provide to students and support network file services and electronic space for web pages? Landmark provides all students with secured individual space on its network file server for storage of academic-related files. Web space is available to students through the course management system and for specific web-related courses. CONNECTING WITH OTHERS 14. Is contact information for students, faculty, and staff readily accessible electronically? Yes, student, faculty, and staff directories as well as faculty office hours are available on Landmark s Intranet portal. Access to information on the portal is secured through individual accounts.

4 15. What social activities and services are available online? Information about Landmark s social activities and services, including athletics, women s programs, cultural diversity programs, adventure education, music programs, theatre and local off-campus activities, are all described on the College s Intranet portal and events are posted on the web calendar. 16. Are there Web sites for student organizations and clubs? Yes, Landmark provides on-line information about clubs and organizations including Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), Student Government Association (SGA), Campus Activities Board (CAB), and clubs - from gamers to art to business to spirituality. 17. Does Landmark make available online communities available (for example, forums, bulletin boards, etc.)? Landmark has an on-line bulletin board available to students, faculty, and staff that is moderated only for offensive posts. Course-specific collaboration tools, such as wikis, forums, and chats, are also available through the College s course management system. 18. What technology-supported career-planning services are available for students? The Transfer Services Office at Landmark offers and supports a wide range of on-line services to assist students. Some of these include OptimalResume.com to develop effective resumes and interviewing skills, CollegeBoard to select colleges, FastWeb for scholarships, and internjobs and interhshipprograms for internship opportunities. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE MANAGING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION 19. What personal information can you view online your contact information, grades, degree progress, financial status, or other information? Students have access to their course schedule, unofficial grades, goals, progress reports, faculty comments, and class attendance. They may also track their visits and outcomes to support center services on-line. Students are also able to track their ID card balances and access student, faculty, and staff directories through the secured Intranet portal. 20. Can you update any of this information online yourself? Students develop and update their academic goals as well as submit housing requests on-line. Other personal information is available to students on an inquiry basis only. CONDUCTING BUSINESS 21. Which of the following can you do online? Check admissions status under development Pay bills yes Apply for and view financial aid awards students may view financial aid status and awards through the on-line payment system

5 Register for, add, and drop courses no Learn course grades (online or by phone) yes (on-line) View and print unofficial transcripts yes, students may view and print unofficial transcripts on-line Check progress toward completion of degree requirements Under development Make campus bookstore purchases yes Add funds to Student One Card yes 22. What campus and community services are covered by debit-card, smart-card, or one-card systems? Student ID cards are used to access the dining hall; make purchases in the Bookstore, café, and on vending machines; and check out Library books. Students (and parents) may add monetary value to ID cards directly on-line or through the Business Office. 23. Are the school catalog including course descriptions, degree requirements, and academic policies and the semester/term schedule of classes available on the web? Yes, course descriptions, class schedules, degree requirements, and academic policies are available on Landmark s Intranet portal. PRIVACY, SECURITY, AND USAGE RULES 24. What security and privacy policies are in place to protect student information? Access to all student information systems is account-based and defined with appropriate permissions. Many systems, including the financial and student information systems, also have detailed audit logs. Students have inquiry access to their unofficial grades, progress reports, and comments entered by instructors. Landmark requires all students to agree to its Computer and Network Acceptable Use Policy and adhere to its electronic file and retention policy. To protect data, server backups, including all student files on the network, are performed nightly and stored in secured locations. 25. How does Landmark educate and protect students from identity theft? Landmark uses internally generated numbers rather than social security numbers for student identification purposes. Access to the student and financial information systems, Intranet, file server, and is also restricted through individual accounts and encrypted passwords. Student ID cards are picture-based and deactivated and replaced immediately when reported lost. Students are informed of the College s security policies during orientation, periodic announcements, and at the Help Desk. Security policies are also included in the Student Handbook and on the College s Intranet.

6 26. How does Landmark notify students of their rights under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)? Students are notified of their rights under FERPA during orientation and in their Student Handbook. Students must sign a FERPA form to authorize the release of student account and educational information. Parents of dependent students may request information without the student s prior authorization. 27. Does Landmark use a mass notification system to inform students of emergencies? Yes, Landmark has several methods to contact students in the event of emergencies or College closure including a mass notification system to send alerts via cell phones, landline phones, e- mail, and other mobile devices. 28. Is network bandwidth limited for peer-to-peer software, gaming, web cams, or other programs requiring high levels of network resources? Are Web pages filtered? Network bandwidth at Landmark is provisioned and managed by traffic-shaping software. Bandwidth is managed to limit (not prevent) heavy utilization of non-academic and resourceintensive programs like video and music downloading and gaming. 29. Is there a campus code of behavior about using computer resources? Yes, all students must agree to Landmark s Computer and Network Acceptable Use Policy included in the Student Handbook and on the Intranet portal. 30. Does Landmark have policies addressing peer-to-peer file sharing, virus software, and copyright? Violations of copyright law and illegal downloading or distribution of audio or video files are described in Landmark s Computer and Network Acceptable Use Policy. The College s Copyright policy, resources, and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) are available on the Library web site and are discussed in research training and through campus alerts. Students who are granted access to digital versions of their required course texts must also sign a copyright statement agreeing not to share texts with others. Up-to-date anti-virus software is required on all student computers before access to the Landmark network is enabled. Anti-virus software is installed on student computers purchased through Landmark s notebook program or may be purchased through the bookstore. 31. How does Landmark manage spam and spyware? Landmark uses industry-standard software to manage spam at the server level. Obvious spam is deleted without being forwarded to the recipient s mailbox and questionable spam is forwarded and identified as such in the subject line. Spyware software is installed on all student computers purchased through Landmark s notebook program and available free-of-charge to students who bring their own computer. SERVICES AND FEES FEES AND EXPENSES 32. What, if any, technology fee is charged by Landmark? What does it cover?

7 Students are assessed a nominal technology fee per semester (see the landmark.edu web site for current fee) that is used to support wired and wireless network connectivity in residence hall rooms and wireless access in classrooms, Library, and labs; , Intranet, voic , and other system accounts; computer and software support (including on-site repair of computers purchased through Landmark); one-on-one and group assistive technology training; access to online research databases; use of public computer and software; and local telephone and Cable TV services. 33. Will you be required to purchase your own computer? All students are required to have a Windows-based notebook computer either purchased through Landmark or that they bring with them from home. Students are also required to purchase the College s software bundle that includes Microsoft Office, Kurzweil 3000, and Inspiration. Dragon Naturally Speaking may be purchased optionally and is required for some academic programs. Macintosh computers running the Windows operating system natively may also be used, although software will only be installed and supported in the Windows environment. 34. Does Landmark make computing and network access financially accessible? Is special student pricing offered for computers and peripheral equipment? Landmark offers students typically two notebook computer options each semester at significantly discounted prices. Microsoft Office, Kurzweil 3000, Inspiration, and Dragon Naturally Speaking are also available at substantial discounts. Students are strongly encouraged to purchase a notebook computer through Landmark in order to take advantage of steep discounts and to receive full technical support through the Help Desk (including a loaner computer if repairs are necessary). 35. Does Landmark assess extra fees for network connections in residence hall rooms or for off-campus access? No, the technology fee includes all technology-related support services and network connectivity. TECHNICAL SUPPORT 36. What hardware and software standards, if any, does Landmark require, recommend, and/or support? Students are required to have a notebook computer with a supported version of the Windows operating system and a minimum hardware configuration (see the landmark.edu web site for specifications). Microsoft Office, Inspiration, and Kurzweil 3000 are required while Dragon Naturally Speaking is optional (required for some academic programs). All notebook computers and software purchased through Landmark are fully supported. Landmark supports the College s assistive technology and productivity software on Macintosh computers running the Windows operating system natively. Landmark does not support the Macintosh operating system, software, or hardware. This is to ensure software standardization and the highest level of technical support. 37. What kinds of services (help desk, training, trouble-shooting) are provided by Landmark, and when are they available? The Help Desk is generally the student s first point of contact for any computer or network related problem or question. Among other services, the Help Desk installs supported software, configures and repairs computers purchased through the College, resolves user account and network connectivity issues, scans for viruses and spyware, and provides support on computer and operating system issues.

8 The Help Desk is open during the day, Mon Fri, and the Library is available during most evening and weekend hours for limited technical support. Assistive technology support can be scheduled directly through the Technology Learning Services department. 38. Does Landmark have a plan for keeping its hardware and software current, and if so, what is the replacement cycle? Landmark upgrades all of its publicly accessible computers in the Library and labs about every four years and maintains current versions of supported software on all computers. 39. If you bring your own computer to Landmark, what kind of technical support can you expect from the campus? Students who bring their own computer to Landmark are entitled to all of the support services available through the Help Desk except computer hardware repair and access to loaner computers. OTHER SERVICES 40. How does Landmark support printing for students, and is there a charge for this service? Students have access to printers on the network free of charge in the Library, labs, Student Center, and Center for Academic Support. Copiers are also available to students free of charge in various buildings across campus. 41. Does Landmark provide wireless network coverage? If so, how much of the campus has wireless connectivity? Landmark has near ubiquitous wireless coverage on campus including in all classrooms and labs, residence halls, Library, auditoriums, café, and dining hall. 42. Does Landmark support the purchase and use of e-textbooks? Do baseline hardware and software standards support this technology? Although an option, Landmark has not traditionally offered e-textbooks for sale primarily because of limited availability and assistive technology integration. As e-textbooks become more viable in the future, the College will promote and make available e-textbooks to students for purchase. The Digital Text Services (DTS) department at Landmark does scan purchased textbooks and course material into Kurzweil-compatible format and has an extensive digital text library available to students. DTS also researches e-text options upon request through services such as Digital Book Index, NetLibrary, Bookshare as well as e-text in audio format through RFBD and National Library Service. This material was adapted, with permission, from The Student Guide to Evaluating Information Technology on Campus, developed by EDUCAUSE in cooperation with the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers and the National Association for College Admission Counseling. For online resources related to the Guide, visit