JCB Faculty Technology Survey Spring 2022 - Action Items
The Jones College of Business strives to provide the best IT services and support possible to all our patrons, faculty, staff and students. This page identifies the main issues raised in the technology survey and actions items to address them. We will focus on providing the best service possible within our limitations. Below you will find a list of the top issues and requests, alternatives to address them and current status as we progress - some items required the coordination with other units such as ITD, MTSU Online, facilities services, etc. Please note that this document is not oriented to provide an exhaustive list of options or solutions. For additional information regarding some of the issues/requests please see the JCB Faculty Learning Community in D2L. Please don't hesitate to contact carlos.coronel@mtsu.edu if you have any questions.
| Issue | Action Items & Options | Status (11/14/23) |
|---|---|---|
Polling:TopHat & clickers |
When we talk about engaging students, one of the top topics is |
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Anonymous polling with PowerPoint and MS Forms |
Available now! |
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Turningpoint Clickers are available to all faculty free of charge. |
Available now! |
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Option: NearPod |
Available now! |
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Option: Top Hat (not available at this time) |
No funds available |
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HyFlex classrooms |
Several mentioned the need for HyFlex classrooms (multiple cameras, ceiling microphones, interactive boards, etc.) We are taking several steps to address this request. |
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Entered TAF proposal to make BAS S337 a fully HyFlex classroom |
Proposal approved |
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Working with ITD classrooms to install ceiling microphones in several BAS classrooms using HERF funds. ITD plans to install ceiling microphones in 13 BAS master classrooms. |
ITD completed Summer 2022. |
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Continue working with ITD classrooms to include ceiling microphones and multiple cameras in future classroom upgrades. |
Work in progress |
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Optional: Install ceiling microphone and camera in Suntrust room |
TBD |
Attendance capture |
Several faculty mentioned the need for attendance capture technology, especially in large sections. This type of technology could be expensive and requires infrastructure investments. We are investigating some alternatives. |
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Use MS Forms (free) Requires students to install the mobile app and log in to it. But, it is not integrated with D2L. Requires faculty to manage and aggregate the responses. |
Info published in website. |
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Option: Use iClicker or Top Hat (paid) |
No funds available |
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Other paid options: |
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Discussion board |
In the Fall of 2021 we tested two discussion forum alternatives. Both products were easy to use and provided increased student engagement. Both products have associated licensing costs. Some options are: |
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Use D2L discussion board (free) |
Available now! |
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Use MS Teams for class discussions |
Available now! |
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Use Top Hat discussion feature (paid) Not as feature-rich as other dedicated discussion products. Integrated with D2L. Top Hat could provide polling, discussions and attendance tracking for all the College of Business classes! |
No funds available |
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Other paid options: |
No funds available |
Classroom hardware |
Several faculty reported issues with the camera, remote recorders, microphone batteries, doc cam, projection screen, whiteboards, wireless and, slow teacher computers. Some steps being taking are: |
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microphones, remote |
ITD is working on issues with remote recorders, microphones, camera timeouts. Reported to ITD. ITD upgrading firmware. |
Completed by ITD All classrooms. |
microphones |
JCB IT: Posted instructions in teacher station desk to alternate use of microphones and save on battery life. |
Done! |
ceiling |
ITD will install ceiling microphones in 13 BAS classrooms during the summer 2022 upgrades. Funded by HERF. |
Completed by ITD |
wireless |
ITD has upgraded and keeps upgrading wireless infrastructure. ITD is planning to replace all wireless infrastructure with Cisco hardware. |
Completed by ITD |
slow computers |
ITD is replacing the teacher computers in S304, S308, S314 and S315. JCB will install SSD and RAM upgrades when needed. |
Work in progress |
Classroom environment |
Faculty reported some issues with lights and blinds in classrooms. Some steps being taking are: |
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lights |
JCB will contact facility services and TAF to check lights in the rooms JCB will label light switches in classrooms |
Work in progress |
| blinds | JCB will contact facility services and TAF to check blinds in the rooms |
Work in progress |
Classroom software |
Some steps being taking are: |
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| Adobe doesn't work | JCB will distribute instructions to login to Adobe and ensure all faculty have Adobe accounts JCB will distribute instructions to use the web browser to read pdf files |
Training provided Work in progress |
| MS Teams pops up | JCB: applied network policy to disable MS Teams (not 100% reliable) JCB will distribute instructions to disable MS Teams autorun feature. |
Done Completed |
| MS Excel features missing | JCB will ensure all teacher stations have all Excel add-ins enabled. |
Completed |
Professional development& training |
JCB will put together several training sessions in coordination with the Dean's office and ITD office. Qualtrics training D2L, D2L course creation, developing engaging content, etc. HyFlex training |
Continuously |
Full size lightboard |
Faculty requested a full lightboard installation |
No funds available |
JCB IT advisory board |
Several faculty volunteered to participate in an IT technology advisory group |
Work in progress |
