Ten Computing Resources Crucial to the
English Department Community
A Talk Given by Andy Jones, CAI Coordinator
Fall, 2000
1) The English Department's Computer-Aided Instruction Page -- http://cai.ucdavis.edu/
Less than a year old, this site collects or links to the most relevant resources
to teaching and researching with computers. A special section for graduate
students describes the Technology
Mentor position, held this year by Jane Beal, as well as information about
the academic job search, this handout, etc. Bookmark "cai" now, and let me
know what else you think should appear on the site. Also, let me know if you'd
like to teach in a CAI classroom in 2001 or 2002.
This page will not only help you establish your usercode/e-mail address,
if you haven't done that already, but from here you can also review the variety
of ways to access e-mail from home and work.
Every class you teach should have its own Automated Class Mailing List,
for with it you can communicate with all students by sending e-mail to a single
address. You can also set the ACML so that it informs you of adds and drops
in the first weeks of your class. Once you have your Kerberos
address, visit the above URL whenever you teach a class.
From this site you can see the class rosters, updated in real time, of the
classes you teach. You can also download these rosters into an Excel file
for easy grade keeping and computing. Have
your CRN nearby!
Created by the crackerjack writers at IT
Publications, the FTG site helpfully organizes many of the additional
computing resources that you may require during your time at U.C. Davis.
Faculty interested in Technology Services are now asked to visit the Faculty
Technology Guide.
Located on the first floor of Shields
Library, IT Express provides the best customer service on campus when
it comes to help with academic computing. Browse this site, visit IT Express
in the library, or call their help number (very helpful when you can't even
connect to the network) at 754-HELP.
Currently located in AOB4, next to Sproul Hall, though destined to move
to Everson within the next year, The Arbor provides personal consultation
with all academic computing projects, as well as frequent talks, colloquia
and seminars on using computers as teaching tools. The Arbor staff are geniuses
with PhotoShop, Dreamweaver, and FileMaker Pro, among many other applications.
Every year the TRC sponsors the week-long Summer
Institute on Technology in Teaching, where participants share practical
suggestions and training on computing and pedagogy. In addition, the TRC offers
hosting, training
and support to all instructors who wish to augment their classes with course
web pages.
Ron Ottman will cheerfully answer your questions about technical matters,
especially those concerning hardware (such as computers, printers, and copiers)
and software (especially regarding site licenses, appropriate use, etc). If
you have a question about computers and teaching, make sure first to consult
the CAI Coordinator (Andy Jones) or the Technology Mentor (Jane
Beal in 2000-2001). With regard to technical questions, review Ron's suggestions
for fixing problems yourself before running down to his first floor office.
Remember that printers and copiers will fail often, so consider alternative
solutions, back-up plans, and workarounds.
Andy
Jones, CAI Coordinator