Anyway...here are what we have for policies at this point in time:
Throughout the VSC, students are permitted access to the current
capabilities of their college. For the Community College of Vermont,
which has branches all over the state, registration and course
descriptions are done on line. There are even courses offered
completely over the Web. Students are given access to the Web at the
computers on the campuses. However, if a student is registering or
taking a course over the Web from home (or elsewhere), the student is
responsible for his/her connection access. Hence, if a student has
to modem in from off campus, the connection and phone costs are
shouldered by the student.
At VTC in particular, our capabilities are extensive and students can
access the network and the Internet from their rooms or from many
labs and study areas on campus. They have as full access as I do.
Is there an extra fee? No, not as such...which means that is is just
hiding somewhere in the increased tuition. They do pay a flat fee
each semester if they are living in the dorms and want the package of
phone line, cable TV and network access, but it is an all or nothing
deal, so basically the dorm residence cost just increased. I doubt
anyone choses not to have access to those three forms of
communication!
The computer club members not only have their own Web pages, but also
hold workshops to instruct others. Any workshops given for faculty
development are also open to the students.
We have, in the past, tried to set rules for computer usage in the
labs....obviously giving priority to those doing purely academic
work, and banning video games which would disturb others....students
are very good about this...they usually play their games in their
rooms or at home anyway. We have discussed the ramifications of
censoring certain Web behavior, but came to the conclusion that it was
undesirable to do so and too difficult to monitor anyway. So
occationally some student gets carried away and is not a good
representative of the school, but I we deal with that no differently
from his/her doing so off campus...I think it is called freedom of
speech...
How does this affect teaching? I assume that everyone has
and uses E-mail. I will send individuals messages and I have a
distribution list set up for each class. Because not everyone is
comfortable with the Web, I resort to e-mail for assignment sheets,
extra help, answering questions, etc. I find it is much more
satisfactory for the students if, when I am not in my office, they
can send me off a question. I will either answer it by the end of
the day, or bring the question in to class the next meeting. It is
also a VERY effective way to contact absent students and let them
know that you missed them in class...my attendance has improved!!
My students also get a class list with e-mail names of their
classmates, and I know that they use it. One other thing...some of
the students use the TI-82 and 92 links and get lots of programs off
the Web, and it is a great conversation point to discuss thier value,
and to share these programs.
I am very excited about using the technology whenever appropriate.
We have overhead projectors in every classroom and now the committees
are recommending that there be a network line in to every classroom,
so that we can connect to the network from the classroom (not
just the labs).....I'm pretty excited about that!! I will definitely
expect the students to use Web capabilities then..
I have meandered enough....actually too much....but you see, I have
just had a week of mega-meetings and tests and now I am starting a
one week Spring break...maybe this is my way of winding down!
Beth Gambler
Vermont Technical College
Randolph Center, VT 05061
tel. 802-728-1205
egambler@night.vtc.vsc.edu