Student Tech Center Know Your Student Tech Center Resources Read about all they can offer our students. Page 2
TECHtopics
Volume 4 | Number 4 | February 2012
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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES Providing Solutions to Enable Success
Chromebooks, iPad 2’s & VoiceThread! Page 4
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VoIP & Wireless Upgrade Update New features,Voicemail to Email, More HotSpots for WiFi & More!. Page 5
Innovating in the Classroom
Digital Communications Systems
“D
o 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 of digital 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
News in IT EQUIPMENT RENEWAL The 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
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 Continued on page 2
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.