Library West Campus

Smart Classrooms

Photo of Electronic Library Classroom 6-220

In keeping with the changing technological environment of Valencia Community College and the West Campus Library, the Smart Classrooms in the West Campus Library provide an opportunity to use technology to improve teaching and learning and promote information literacy.

 

Facts
  • Tier II Smart Rooms
  • Located on the second floor of the West Campus Library (6-220 and 6-221). 
  • 27 computer workstations in 6-220 plus instructor's station.
  • 23 computer workstations in 6-221 plus instructor's station.
  • Authenticated access to library resources available through the Internet.
  • CrossTec School Vue software available to control or broadcast information from instructor's computer to student computers.
  • Designed for students to gain hands on experience in locating and using electronic resources for their research needs. 

The classrooms facilitate active learning through student collaboration and interaction with the librarian, professor and one another. The classrooms are designed to encourage instructional innovation and experimentation.

General Guidelines
  • Class sessions will be designed to meet the needs of the individual class.
  • The classroom setting requires the professor to be fully involved in the instructional sessions
  • Past experience indicates that more class time is necessary to convey the same amount of information that was formerly conveyed in a lecture approach
  • The classrooms are not available as an open lab. The professor or a substitute must accompany the class while in the lab.
  • The classrooms may be scheduled for staff training when not scheduled for library instruction.
  • If additional software is required, provide 48 hours notice and Valencia licensing information.
  • Suggestions are welcome regarding the addition of new library related software, resources, etc.
  • Users should not save to the computer hard drives or desktops. Personal flash drives are recommended.
  • The computers are connected to the Green Print Station (6-201); prints and photocopies are $.10 per page.
  • Workstations in each classroom are available to accommodate the needs of students in wheelchairs (two in 6-220; one in 6-221).
  • One workstation in each classroom accommodates the needs of students with visual impairments and is equipped with JAWS, Kurzweil, and Dragon Naturally Speaking software.
  • Users must comply with the West Campus Library's Internet Use guidelines.
Classroom Control Software

To teach more effectively in the Electronic Classrooms, CrossTec School Vue control software has been installed.  The software helps create a focused learning environment.  Some of the advantages of this system are the following.

  • The professor determines when students use the computer.
  • When appropriate, the professor can broadcast the information they want the student to see directly to each student's computer.
  • The professor can provide assistance without leaving their computer, either to one student or to several students with the same problem.
  • The professor can access students' computers to see who is having problems, is not "on task" or where repetitive problems are occurring.
  • The professor can broadcast students' work as examples for the entire class.

Professors unfamiliar with Cross Tec School Vue software should complete a brief orientation session.

Scheduling 
  • Contact the Library Information Desk (6-202, x1432) to schedule.
  • Because the Electronic Classrooms were developed to meet the information needs of library users, priority will be given to scheduling the classroom for course related library instruction. 
  • Student instruction has priority over staff training, though the classroom can be scheduled for professional development workshops and staff training sessions.
  • Valencia faculty and staff have priority in scheduling the classrooms.
  • Scheduling is coordinated by Donna Carver (x1432 or x1854), and is handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

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