A New Interactive Instructional Facility: Reflections

1
A New Interactive Instructional Facility
Reflections

• Brett Cloyd, Grinnell College Libraries
• Gretchen Revie, Lawrence University
• ILA/ACRL May 7, 1999

2
Bretts Outline

• What is the IIF?
• Design Elements
• Features
• Use of the IIF in 98-99
• Bibliographic Instruction
• Classroom sessions
• Workshops
• General Use

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Bretts Outline - pt. 2

• Advertising
• If you build it, advertise
• Making it work
• Hire student assistants (IFMs)
• Ensure computers work properly
• Providing support to our users

4
Design Elements

• 11 student PCs, along perimeter of the IIF
  angled workstations
• Instructors PC and cabinet at front of room
• Clear line of site
• See the student - not the monitor

5
Software

• Windows 95 - campus network WinNT
• Similar packages as rest of campus
• Only security is to require an NT password and to
  lock the Network options in the Control Panel
• Norton Ghost to refresh computer image
  (www.ghostsoft.com)

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More ghost

• A snapshot of the hard drive is made and restored
  remotely.
• Loaded periodically (once a week) to refresh PCs.
• Good way to make PCs uniform and allow for
  updates.
• Student workers help out

7
Equipment

• VCR, LaserDisc, Elmo
• A ceiling-mounted projector
• Automated drop-down screen and blinds
• Flatbed scanner
• Networked laser printer
• Robotel M160

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Robotel - Hardware device

• Mediate class sessions
• Instructor decides what image is on students PC
• Use of a control panel

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Seating options

• Class with students (up to two) sitting at PCs
  and instructor presenting
• Lab use - Biology department has used IIF
  frequently this year - 3 or 4 students per PC
• Tables in center allow for discussion and
  flexibility

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Use of the IIF in 98-99

• Bibliographic Instruction
• Classroom sessions
• Workshops
• General Use

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Bibliographic Instruction

• Results of survey
• Interested in how the IIF has been used
• Also, want to describe the interactions between
  people and technology
• Think about how this will change BI sessions

12
Classroom sessions

• Talk to students instead of monitors
• Demand for facilities like this on campus
• Students attraction to the process
• Small might be better

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IMTS - Instructional Multimedia Technology
Specialists

• Support teaching faculty with technology needs
• Encouraged teaching faculty to use the IIF
• Assisted teaching faculty with IIF equipment
• Organized workshops held in the IIF

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Advertising

• Word of mouth
• IMTS help
• Tutorials
• Open Houses

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Student Help - Very important

• Hire and train a group of IFMs
• Supervise
• Campus issues
• Assistance from computer services department

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IFMs - Goals and Roles

• Ensure things work!
• Answer user questions
• Assist teaching faculty when called upon
• Learn more about technology

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Thanks!

• For more information, and a copy of these slides
  - visit the IIF website
• http//www.lib.grin.edu/iif/