• Academic Computing Services (ACS) Instructional WWW Development Center (IWDC)
  (iwdc.ucsd.edu; 858-534-7018)
• ACS Instructional Support, Accounts Office
  (acs.ucsd.edu; 858-534-4060)
• Media Services
  (mediacenter.ucsd.edu; 858-534-5784)

Creating Instructional Web Sites and Presentations

ACS Instructional WWW Development Center (IWDC)

Finding and Using Film and Video, Graphics, Images, Slides, and Sounds

[See "Electronic Reserves" in the Library Resources section]

Webcast Services

The term "Webcasting" derives from the word "broadcasting"; it refers to the use of the Web to deliver (or "broadcast") by streaming live or delayed versions of sound or video broadcasts. Webcasting has potential applications for academic courses, presentations, using video on Web pages, on-demand programs, live events, and training materials.

The IWDC offers free hosting of Real, QuickTime, and Windows Media formats for course-related needs. Faculty can gain access to the IWDC lab to encode and/or edit audio and video in preparation for Web streaming, or the IWDC can encode materials for a fee. Together with Media Services, the IWDC offers an integrated solution for capturing and delivering video for both live streaming and later on-demand viewing. The IWDC also coordinates bandwidth needs with Network Operations for maximum quality and availability. Research-related materials can be encoded and hosted on a fee-for-service basis.

Media Services (mediacenter.ucsd.edu; 858-534-5784) provides streaming video and audio services to campus units and their audiences on a fee-for-service basis, with hosting and archiving provided by IWDC. These services include capture and encoding of video and audio content. We also provide encoding of existing content (DVCAM tapes) with a copyright release. Encoding is a conversion process into a digital format that is sent to the Helix streaming server at IWDC. These files can then be accessed over the Internet and viewed on a computer using free "RealPlayer" software, available for most operating systems. An account with IWDC is needed before live events and for storage of archived files.

Video Production

Media Services provides a wide range of video production services for instructional and performance review. Equipment and technicians are available to record events in MiniDV, DVCAM, HDV 1080i (high definition), S-VHS and VHS formats. Postproduction services for the MiniDV, DV, DVCAM and HDV 1080i formats are available, as are duplication services for videocassettes and DVDs.

The Visual Media Group (vmg.ucsd.edu; 858-534-4134 also provides video production services, including the transfer of video recordings from a range of formats including VHS and digital video, to a QuickTime file on CD-ROM; this is an effective way to place video clips into PowerPoint presentations.

Classroom Instructional Technology Support

Self-Serve Equipment in Classrooms and Lecture Halls: Computer/Video Projectors, VCRs, DVD/CD Players

Almost every general-use classroom and lecture hall is equipped with self-serve computer/video projectors and VHS videocassette/DVD/CD combination players available for use free of charge. Lecture halls also feature a wireless and a wired lavaliere microphone provided at no charge. Placing an order to use this equipment is not necessary. The box or lectern containing the projector controls, combination player and wireless microphone storage are referred to as a "Media Station."

Operation instructions for this equipment are available on the Media Center Web site (mediacenter.ucsd.edu/); quick-reference instructions are also posted inside each Media Station. Orientation sessions are offered by Media Services; session dates and times are listed on the Media Center Web site.

A dry run-a test arranged in advance of the first session or presentation to test your laptop or recordings-is strongly recommended. Dry runs, which are free of charge for the first twenty minutes, may be held at either the Media Center or on site. Self-guided dry-runs can also be performed in any classroom not in use during the day; please contact Room Scheduling at x44291 to verify room availability.

One overhead projector is provided in each general-use classroom and lecture hall for use at no cost.

Please consult the Technology-Enhanced Classroom list for details on room equipment.

Other Audio-Visual Equipment

Media Services (mediacenter.ucsd.edu)can provide other types of audio-visual equipment, on a fee-for-service basis, including video document cameras, slide and 16mm movie projectors, as well as staff to set up and operate the equipment they provide. A complete listing of equipment, services, and fees is available on the Media Center Web site.

Please note that Media Services no longer delivers computers for academic courses.

Reserving Presentation Equipment Not Included in the Self-Serve Package

Order equipment online no less than 42 hours in advance (excluding weekends and by 4:30 PM Wednesday for weekend orders) at (mediacenter.ucsd.edu/).

Reporting Problems With Projection Equipment

Media Services manages projection equipment in lecture halls and classrooms; please call 858-534-5784 for assistance.

Distance Learning and Videoconferencing

(mediacenter.ucsd.edu/dl_mgr.cfm)

Distance learning refers to teaching situations in which the instructor and students are geographically separated and therefore rely on interactive video or other forms of electronic media for instructional delivery. The University of California system typically offers two to six such courses per quarter, with classes originating from both UC and California State University sites.

An instructor's teaching style needn't be altered to accommodate a distance-learning situation. Large-screen monitors allow teachers and students to have complete interaction, just as if they were physically in the same classroom. Specialized equipment allows the use of such media as transparencies, slides, videotapes, and computers.

The Distance Learning Center (DLC) gives faculty the opportunity to teach courses to students at sites worldwide without leaving the UCSD campus. Distance learning facilities around the globe can connect with the DLC through an IP or ISDN connection. Courses originating at the DLC can even be streamed to the desktop. The DLC is also available for administrative videoconferences.

The Distance Learning Center is located in Room 260 at CLICS: Center for Library and Instructional Computing Services, Galbraith Hall. For details about the DLC's facilities and capabilities, please call 858-534-1174.

Student Response Systems

This system works with Macintosh, Windows, and Linux operating systems and is supported by most course management systems.

Further information on this system, with links to the InterWrite PRS RF site, is available at (mediacenter.ucsd.edu). The Bookstore is committed to offering clickers for sale to students at modest cost.

Existing H-ITT Systems

• Pepper Canyon Hall (PCYNH) 106 and 109
• Peterson Hall (PETER) 108 and 110
• Warren Lecture Hall (WLH) 2001, 2005 and 2204
• York Hall (YORK) 2622 and 2722

Instructional Technology Support Outside the Classroom

Computer Labs

ACS manages most student computing labs on campus. The ACS Instructional Facilities Web page (acs.ucsd.edu/instructional) provides information about labs, including: location, computer type, printers, room hours, and reservations, as well as the list of software installed in Windows and Macintosh labs.

A number of ACS-managed labs are open for general computing use by UCSD students. Other labs support particular courses, departments, or divisions. ACS assists instructors by assigning courses to appropriate labs, as well as issuing room access codes that course instructors can give to their students.

It is advisable to make arrangements to use ACS facilities well in advance. See "Course Administration" for detailed information about using the Course Information (CINFO) form to request support for a course; special software installation; accounts for students, instructors, and teaching assistants; and lab reservations, among other options.

Reporting Problems With Computer Labs, Printers, Supplies, and the Campus Networks

ACS manages the campus network, as well as the majority of instructional computing labs and servers on campus, so questions about network problems or problems with individual labs, printers, or supplies should be referred to ACS. Urgent problems should be reported to the following numbers, particularly at night and on weekends; if the call is answered by voicemail, please leave a detailed message.

Questions about labs, printers, or supplies
858-534-3ACS (858-534-3227) or email repair@ucsd.edu

Questions about network problems
858-534-1857

Consulting Services Provided by ACS Instructional Support

The ACS Instructional Support Office assists instructors and teaching assistants in all facets of using ACS facilities for instruction, including advice on choice of computer; software availability and support level; and helping instructors and TAs solve problems that students encounter with assignments.

ACS provides students with one-page "Step1 Guides" that contain basic instructions for logging in and using ACS labs. ACS provides onsite support for students in computing labs by student employees, known as "Zebras" because of the distinctive black-and-white striped shirts they wear while on duty.

Use the ACS Web site Search function to find information about software and a variety of other topics. This mechanism can be accessed via the "Search" link on most ACS Web pages.

Course Web Pages

ACS Instructional WWW Development Center (IWDC) assists instructors in setting up Web sites for courses [see "Creating Instructional Web Sites and Presentations"]. Your course will be linked to the Courses Web site (courses.ucsd.edu), which lists the top three course pages for each department as gauged by the number of hits to the link; clicking a department name will take you to an expanded list of course Web pages for that department. The Courses Web site serves as a convenient place for your students to find your course Web pages.

NOTE: The Library offers Electronic Reserves services that allow you to post journal articles, book chapters, music, and images on the Web for easy access by students [see "Electronic Reserves" in the Library Resources section].

Course Administration

TritonLink

(https://tritonlink.ucsd.edu/)

TritonLink (formerly known as StudentLink) is the UCSD Web site that students use to enroll in classes; it includes automated waitlisting as well as links to many useful sites. TritonLink offers UCSD faculty and staff a variety of services and information related to classes and enrollments. Most TritonLink services require a valid StudentLink user ID and password. (See your Departmental Business or Management Services Officer to obtain these).
TritonLink provides faculty with these features:

• Schedule of Classes
  
• Student Directory
• enrollment and registration information, fees, deadlines, calendars, etc.
  
• students' academic history, major and minor, addresses, classes and wait-listed classes, and academic and administrative holds
  
• ability to view, download, and send email messages to students on specified class lists and wait lists
  
• Majors List and Minors List, which allow faculty and staff to view, download, and send email messages to students in specified majors and minors
  
• Section Enrollment and Wait List Statistics, which allows faculty and staff to view and download enrollment counts by student level, class level, and college for one or more sections.
  

Using the Course Information (CINFO) Form to Request ACS Support For Courses

(cinfo.ucsd.edu/)

ACS needs to be informed of all courses that require use of ACS facilities or services, including any of the following situations:

• course Web sites and discussion forums
  
• provision of computer labs for student use and lab access codes
  
• installation of special academic software in labs
  
• installation of software in lecture halls
  
• accounts for students, instructors, and teaching assistants
  

To request support for your courses, complete an ACS Course Information form (CINFO) for each class. The Course Information form provides ACS with such important details as which quarters a course will be taught, who the instructor will be, what software will be required, and how many students will be enrolled. Requests that involve special preparations (for example, software installation) should be made well in advance of the quarter of intended use.

ACS provides a basic level of computing resources to all student accounts. When students are enrolled in an ACS-supported course, ACS allocates additional computing time and disk space to meet the needs of the course.

CINFO forms are an adjunct to departmental Instructional Computing Plans (ICPs). The annual ICP process is the means by which departments make proposals to their Deans for initiatives such as major hardware and software purchases, support for new classes, and changes in curriculum that might impact existing facilities. If your CINFO form includes requests that have not been previously approved through the ICP mechanism, your request may be referred back to the department Chair or Dean for endorsement or funding. For further information about the Instructional Computing Plan process, see (acs.ucsd.edu/instructional/plan.php).

Computer Accounts For Students

ACS prints account slips at the beginning of the quarter for ACS-supported courses. The account slips are individualized for each student pre-enrolled in the course, providing such information as what account to use for the course and which facilities, such as computing labs, are to be used. ACS provides account slips for distribution to students; slips are available for pickup by instructors or TAs at the ACS Accounts Office on the first day of instruction.

In addition to account slips for pre-enrolled students, ACS provides instructors with computing add slips. Students who add a class must obtain one of these slips from the instructor and take it to the ACS Accounts Office to obtain an account. Please contact the ACS Accounts Office for additional supplies of these slips if you run out.

All incoming undergraduate students automatically receive a personal email account from Academic Computing Services. Students in certain majors are given an enhanced personal account-known as an Open Computing Environment (OCE) account-which gives them access to workstations and servers that support discipline-specific software.

Computer Accounts For Instructors and Teaching Assistants

ACS provides accounts for instructors and TAs. On request these accounts can be set up in advance to allow instructors and TAs to test software and develop assignments before the quarter begins. Arrangements can also be made to keep the instructor's account and files online from year to year if the instructor continues to teach the same course. (Note to TAs: personal/OCE accounts are not intended to be used for TA work.)

Communicating With Students Via Email

Two of the most effective ways to communicate with students enrolled in your courses are the email facilities in StudentLink, described above, and the email features built into Web-based "class-in-a-box" packages offered by the IWDC. A third alternative is LISTSERV mail lists, provided by ACS Network Operations, to which students self-subscribe (www.no.ucsd.edu/mail/listserv.html).

Collecting Homework Assignments

ACS Instructional Support offers three methods for instructors to receive completed assignments from students. First, ACS IWDC offers access to the course-management system WebCT, which includes a Web-based drop folder that records the date and time an assignment is turned in, sorted by student name. Second, ACS can set up Macintosh drop folders for courses using Macintosh labs. And finally, on Unix systems ACS provides the utilities "turn in" and "bundle," which transfer ownership of the submitted files to the instructor. For more details on this feature and instructions on how to use it, type "turnin" in the Search tool on the ACS Web page (acs.ucsd.edu).