About Classroom Technology

All of Carleton's classrooms are outfitted with equipment to project transparencies, equipment to show VHS-tapes, and connections to the campus network; many contain multimedia presentation equipment, including computers, projectors, etc. The Presentation, Events and Production Support (PEPS) division of ITS provides and maintains this classroom equipment. A pamphlet listing the equipment installed in each classroom is delivered to faculty each fall. In addition, a complete list of the installed classroom equipment is available on the web at: http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/peps/equipment/

This web site also includes instruction of the operation of all technology enhanced classrooms. If you have requests for classroom technology, write to peps@carleton.edu or call x7070 and leave a message.

Most overhead projectors (transparency) have a spare bulb changer. Just flip the lever or turn the knob to use the spare bulb. Please notify Jim Pierret x7006 if you have used the spare bulb in your classroom or if the current bulb requires replacement.

What to do if something goes wrong

Preparation is the best defense; follow these basics tips to prevent problems.

1. Find out what equipment is available to you in your assigned classroom. If you need something not provided or need training in how to use the equipment, please go to the website mentioned and order it online or call.

2. When you have the equipment available to you, do a "dry run" before the first day of class, especially if you are using technology that is new to you. This will give you time to learn your new teaching tools and perhaps time to develop short cuts to save valuable class time.

3. ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN B. The best laid plans of mice and men. . . .Have a low tech back up plan, so that if something goes wrong with the technology, your class can continue. For example, be prepared with handouts of your slides in case the projector fails.

4. Rather than relying on disks, use the network to transfer materials to a classroom computer. Files placed in your network folder can be accessed from any classroom computer.

5. Please shut down equipment and computers when you are done with a class; this will assist the professor using the room after you and ensure that you have logged out of your account!

Troubleshooting Tips

Even with the best planning, things sometimes go wrong. Here are some useful tips for solving common classroom equipment problems.

Overhead projector

1. Check to make sure it is plugged in.

2. If you hear a fan going but have no light, you may need to switch to the spare bulb. There are directions on how to do so in the classrooms.

Slide projector

1. Check to make sure it is plugged in.

2. You may need to change the bulb. There are directions in the classroom.

TV/VCR

1. Is there power to the equipment? If so, proceed.

2. When using the VCR, it should automatically turn the TV to channel 3, but double check to make sure the channel is set correctly.

3. While playing, if the picture appears to be "streaky,"the tracking may be off. The classroom VCRs have auto tracking built in so you may just need to let the tape play for a minute or so. If the VCR doesn't appear to be correcting itself, the channel up or down buttons or the button marked tracking can be adjusted to make the picture clearer.

4. Make sure your tape is rewound or at the place you want it to play before class.

5. Don't hit the record button! Non-commercial tapes are susceptible to being recorded unless the lock out tab has been broken.

Data Projector

1. Make sure the input/output source is on the right mode.

2. Give the projector time to warm up; this should take about 30 seconds.

3. If you shut the projector down, it won't power back up until it has cooled off.

Computers

If you run into trouble with a classroom computer, you can always call x5999. If you'd like to try to resolve the problem on your own, here are some tips for solving common difficulties:

Computers should be shut down at the end of the each class, so begin by turning the computer on. Both Macs and PCs have power buttons on the front of their CPU boxes. iMacs have a power button on the left side of the back of their display.

1. Check to make sure the computer has power. Are there any lights on the box or monitor? Do you hear the fan running?
2. Is the monitor on? Make sure that it is turned on and try adjusting the brightness and/or contrast buttons; they may have been changed by the last person to use the computer.

If the monitor and CPU have power and there is still no activity, please go to your plan B and contact us after class.

If you have power but your mouse or keyboard are not working, check the connections for both.

If the system is still not responding: Reboot the system. Press and hold the power button on the computer until you hear it power off. Press the power button again to restart.

Rebooting usually takes care of small problems. If it doesn't, go to your plan B and call us. If the system reports an error, try to copy it down word for word and report it after class.

Once the system has powered up, make sure you log in using your Carleton email username and password.

Can't get your media out of the computer?

On a Mac you need to drag your media to the trash can. Give the system a moment or two to process the task. On a PC you have to press the eject button on the drive itself.

Numbers to call:

Problems with a classroom computer: x5999 (Rapid Response)

Problem with other equipment: x 7070

Jim Pierret: x7006