Bad Credit Services

Computer labs overwhelmed by increased classroom use

Date 10/5/2000 12:00 AM | Topic: News

Due to the increased use of campus computer labs for classroom study, students needing to use a computer during the day may find that there are very few available.

The only lab sure to be available is the new lab created on the main floor of the library, noted Marsha Kurth, director of learning systems.

The new library lab, which consists of eight personal computers and eight Macintoshes, is located on the main floor of the library.

Unfortunately, Kurth said, students will be unable to print from the personal computers until after fall break.

"There are no regular classes in Olin 201 or Olin 205, but they can be reserved by faculty to take their class into to work with a piece of software," Kurth said.

According to Kurth, growth over the past five years in the use of technology in all disciplines increased the demand for computers in a setting where students and faculty can work together.

"We didn't have a classroom large enough for beginning computer science classes or computer-assisted chemistry classes," said Kurth. "The only room big enough was Olin 202, so a few classes are held in Olin 202."

Kurth said the school is using the same scheduling model used for Main 113 and Main 114.

Schedules are posted outside the labs notifying students what classes are regularly held there.

"We're not down in the number of computers," Kurth said. "We're actually up."

The school has 20 more computers than it did last year, divided between 10 labs, according to Kurth.

If students have trouble finding an open computer, Kurth suggests students rarely use Macs for general computing.

"Olin 206 is now the largest Mac lab on campus, and I don't see people using it for general computing," Kurth said. "It is a hidden treasure that people shouldn't shy away from because anything saved on a Mac can be opened on a PC."

To make converting possible, the disk just needs to be a PC disk, which can be purchased at the bookstore, Kurth said. If you start with a Mac disk and go to a PC, then the PC might not be able to read the disk.

Some students are able to find a computer to use, but express frustration over their reliability.

"I really don't like the fact that Main computers crash and lose papers a lot," said Katie Zerger ('02). "The Olin computers seem to be more reliable."

Emmarene Smock, administrative assistant in the registrar's office in Main, said she has had some students come ask her to print things off their disks.

"I'm happy to do that," said Smock. She said students stop by when no lab is available or when there are technical problems.

As for the availability of computers on campus, Kurth said, "We've seen an increase in the amount of computers students are bringing to campus. We're hoping that more and more students will write papers in their rooms, opening up the labs for students needing specialty software."

"I don't use the labs anymore, really," said Jessica Johnson ('02). "We have a computer in our room."

The only residence hall that has computers provided by the college in a public area for general use is Towers, Kurth said.

If more computers are provided across campus, "it will be a continued cost to the students," said Kurth. "The questions to ask are how much do we want to spend on technology, and what would we give up to find funding?"

--

Jenny Welp
Chips News Co-Editor

[ Comment, Edit or Article Submission ]