Supporting instruction at the general IET campus computer classrooms

This document identifies the roles and responsibilities of student support staff, Computer Room Consultants (CRC), as it relates to supporting instruction in computer classrooms and the level of support faculty and teaching assistants should expect from the CRC.

If you have any questions or concerns about the Computer Room Consultants or require additional support needs not mentioned in this document, please contact IET - Computer Lab Management via email at labmanager@ucdavis.edu or call us at (530) 752-8549.

Before the start of class you can expect:

  • The CRC to have cleared the room for your class.
    • If another instructor's class precedes yours then please understand there is only a 10-minute window in between classes.
    • If your class comes after an open access time, you can expect all non-class members to have been cleared from the room and the printer to be finished printing.
    • Instructors and students should exit promptly when class has ended so that the room may be prepared for the next incoming class.
    • Although the CRC will do her best to clear the classroom she cannot recognize who belongs in the class. The CRC would appreciate help in identifying people who don't belong.
  • The computer classroom to be clean and neat.
  • The computers and projection system to be fully functional.
  • Working dry erase markers for the white boards.
  • You can expect the following from the CRC during the first week of instruction to familiarize you with the computer classroom:
    • Introduce herself and inform you where she can be found in case you need assistance.
    • Ensure that you know how to use the projection equipment.
    • Check to see if you have any special needs or questions.
    • Make sure you know how to find and use class folders and class software provided by Computer Lab Management.
    • Ask you which class-in session-sign you'd like to use. There are three options, either "Enter: Open Access", "Stop: Do Not Enter" or "Yield: Enter at instructor's discretion". If you choose "Yield", then be prepared for students to enter the room asking if they can use a computer. Normally the "Stop" sign is used to mitigate class disruptions.
    • Inform you about the screen sharing and management tool installed in the computer classrooms (AB Tutor Control).

During a class:

  • The CRC should be available to answer a question or address any problems. (Note: The CRC may be responsible for more than one class and/or open access room at a time and therefore may not be immediately available at his designated station.)
  • The CRC should be proactive in preventing disruptions, such as redirecting clients who want to use a computer to an available computer room.

Software problems and questions:

  • The CRC should be able to answer questions on major applications and teaching tools provided by Computer Lab Management.
  • The CRC should make an effort to fix any problems that may occur, however, some problems may require third party assistance and cannot be fixed during your class session.
  • If an instructor has software that needs to be installed for a class he should arrange installation in advance of the class with a lab manager.

Printing:

  • The CRC should ensure the printers are operating efficiently.
    • The CRC should address any problems that occur.
    • Repeated paper jams may require third party assistance due to printer hardware failure. The CRC should escalate these problems so that they are addressed promptly.
  • Certain problems require a higher level of security clearance that only a lab manager may fix.

Computer Room Policies:

  • CRCs are expected to enforce all Computer Room Policies.
  • These policies can be reviewed at the Computer Room Policies web page.
  • Instructors should encourage policy adherence by abstaining from breaking policies themselves such as by bringing food or drink into the computer rooms.

Hardware Problems:

(Note: CRCs do not have the tools nor the training to fix most hardware problems.)
  • The CRC should inform you before class if there is a problem which may affect instruction, such as a nonfunctioning printer.
  • The CRC should make an effort to fix simple hardware problems such as a nonfunctioning mouse.
  • If the CRC can't fix the problem she should report the problem promptly.

Other:

  • In general the CRC should tag and report any malfunctioning equipment or software he cannot fix himself.
  • The CRC should be able to refer clients to appropriate Information and Education Technology services.