Computer Classroom Report - Spring 1997
By Tim Leamy, Lab Management (tcleamy@ucdavis.edu)
Mission
To provide and manage quality computer environments to support
the campus community in its instructional needs.
Goals
- Provide fully functional computer environments.
- Support computer environments with quality client
service.
- Design and execute a management vision in alignment with
university priorities.
Lab Management's goals for 96-97 include:
-
- Overhaul management model/practice.
- Align with University
mission, Chancellor's vision, and IT program
priorities.
- Redesign scopes of responsibility.
- Create tracking mechanism so as to provide timely
and useful information regarding the use of
facilities and services by the campus community.
- Determine trends in campus community needs.
We conducted a survey during Winter 1997 to
determine the students' computer access needs.
The results of the survey can be found at http://lm.ucdavis.edu/pubs/survey/student_w97/.
- Define baseline equipment/service requirements.
- Determine cost-effective means to deliver
equipment/service requirements.
- Work more closely with clients to better serve
their computer classroom needs.
For example Lab Management has worked closely
with the English Department as shown in the Composition Program's
Concerns Regarding Computer Classrooms. We
are planning the reconstruction of 241 Olson to a
layout similar to 21 Olson in response to
instructor needs. In additon, we will upgrade the
projection systems in 1102 Hart and 1131 Meyer.
- Develop a training program to improve the quality of
service provided by student assistants in computer
classrooms.
- Improve site attendant customer service training.
- Revise and convert Site Attendant documentation
and training material to the WWW.
- Support faculty advocacy for increased microcomputer
access for campus community by creating new, high-quality
computer classroom space.
- Support Registrar's effort to create a new
computer classroom in 1/5 Olson scheduled for
opening Winter 1998.
- Advocate for large, general use only computer lab
in order to meet students' academic computer
access needs.
- Test pilot project to provide network access ports across
campus.
- Network Access Ports are being installed in the
lounge in the Basement of Olson. This
installation will be delayed to match the
timeframe of the
campus-wide DHCP solution. Currently we are looking for
users who will pilot test the DHCP
implementation.
- Instructions are at
http://lm.ucdavis.edu/pubs/dhcp/ (Update - have been moved to
http://netaccess.ucdavis.edu).
- Work with Shields Library to ensure a consistent
approach.
Support for Effective Teaching
In order to provide a higher quality instructional
environment, Lab Management began a systematic review of its
practices and services.
- A client satisfaction survey was conducted after Winter
1996. Three areas were identified as needing immediate
attention:
- Physical layout (e.g., too crowded, poor quality
HVAC, seat arrangement, etc.)
- "The rooms in Hutchison are too
small, poorly arranged for teaching, and
have poor HVAC."
- "The AC in 301A SurgeIV is too
noisy."
- Outdated machines (e.g., machines up to 5+ years
old)
- Inadequate projection setup (e.g., outdated
equipment, poor screens, ambient light, etc.)
- "... projection plates ... old
and fuzzy"
- "Rooms need projection
screens."
- As a result, Lab Management implemented a plan to address
faculty and student computer classroom needs.
Specifically, Lab Management:
- Upgraded the quality of the microcomputer
classroom environment.
- Involved faculty in design of new Olson
classrooms.
- Moved computer classrooms from Hutchison
to Olson. The Olson rooms were designed
for teaching. Faculty response regarding
the new teaching spaces has been very
positive.
- Based on faculty input improved the
layout of the computer classroom in 307
SurgeIV.
- Formulated and implemented a program to upgrade
computers in a timely manner.
- Ensured all machines be less than three
years old and adequately run current
software.
- Worked to reduce average age of machines.
In order to reach the goal of all
machines less than threee years old the
average age should be half of that, that
is 1.5 years.
- Created and started implementation of a plan to
improve the projection setup in all classrooms.
This plan included:
- Assessment and replacement of equipment,
as needed, to provide good quality
projection.
- Installation of projection screens, where
needed, in all classrooms.
- Resolution of other issues related to
poor projection setup (e.g. viewing
angle, ambient light).
- Continue to perform client surveys. The survey for Fall
1996 is currently being processed.
- Form an advisory group composed of faculty and students
to help address client needs in a more timely manner.
Status and Usage
- The amount of time reserved for classes in the
computer classrooms steadily increased.
Computer
classroom usage for classes rose from 13.6% in Fall 1992
to 51.6% in Winter 1997. This had the effect of reducing
the amount of time available for class assignment work
and open use.
The following three graphs show usage by total and by
computer type for reserved classes and class assignment
time. Data is based on the period of Monday to Friday 8
am to 6 pm.
The Sping and Fall 1997 data is based on the scheduled
classes as of 4/28/97 and will most likely change.
- The level of users remained relatively constant.
Lab
Management continued to provide support for general
academic use, with the total number of users reaching
11,150 during Winter 1997. Total users is greater than
the sum of faculty, students, and staff due to the new
style login ids which do not show category of user.
- The total number of available computer seats dropped
from 318 as of Fall 1992 to 273 as of Fall 1996.
Over
the year the number of PC seats decreased slightly from
118 to 112 while the number of Mac seats decreased from
153 to 130. Part of the loss is a result of the closing
of the computer classroom in Room 233 in Social Sciences
and Humanities.
- The number of computer labs dropped from 17 in Fall
1992 to 12 in Fall 1996.
- Saturation peaked out in the "quality"
computer classrooms.
Computer classrooms were open
55 days in Spring Quarter 1996 (including holidays and
finals).
Computer classrooms were open 57 days in Fall Quarter
1996 (including holidays and finals).
Computer classrooms were open 60 days in Spring Quarter
1997 (including holidays and finals).
For computer classrooms hours check http:/lm.ucdavis.edu/rooms/.
High use computer classrooms (such as 21 Olson, 27
Olson, 163 Shields, and 1102 Hart) with good campus
locations reached maximum capacity.
The chart below shows the number of days per quarter
each computer classroom exceeded 80% and 90% usage for an
hour.
|
Spring 1996 |
Fall 1996 |
Winter 1997 |
|
> 90% |
> 80% |
> 90% |
> 80% |
>90% |
> 80% |
1102 Hart |
47 |
53 |
54 |
54 |
52 |
55 |
1131 Meyer |
39 |
49 |
29 |
39 |
34 |
41 |
8 Hutch |
30 |
45 |
Closed |
Closed |
14/86 Hutch |
1 |
18 |
Closed |
Closed |
163 Shields |
53 |
54 |
49 |
52 |
46 |
47 |
21 Olson |
Not
open |
41 |
55 |
23 |
45 |
27 Olson |
Not
open |
50 |
51 |
48 |
53 |
241/247 Olson |
7 |
8 |
8 |
14 |
6 |
9 |
233 SSH |
17 |
32 |
Closed |
Closed |
301A Surge IV |
29 |
44 |
35 |
42 |
40 |
44 |
307 SurgeIV |
5 |
10 |
9 |
24 |
12 |
15 |
- Pages Printed per Quarter Steadily Increased
The pages printed per quarter steadily increased to
836,738 pages for Spring 1997. Given the current trend a
million pages per quarter will be reached in Spring 1998.
- Volume Usage Statistics for Winter 1997
- Up to 4200+ logins per day.
- Up to 2700+ unique users per day.
- Up to 20,000+ pages printed per day.
- 45-50% of logins last less than 15 minutes and
10-20% last 15-30 minutes.
Cost Effective Computer Access
Lab Management provided access to 302 computers over the
1995-96 school year. The average cost of maintaining each station
was $3,642. As comparison, Gartner Group (an IT consulting firm)
reports "A typical PC/LAN environment can cost more than
$10,000 per user per year to operate." The average cost
per user per quarter (with roughly 11,000 users per quarter) was
$33.00. In 1995-96, the average cost per hour of open use in a
computer classroom was roughly $1.71. As comparison, local copy
shops charge as much as $12.00 per hour for computer access.
Terms used in this document:
- Computer Classroom
- Computer lab which is used primarly for academic
instruction.
- Computer Lab
- Any room managed by Lab Management, including Computer
Classrooms, the New Media Lab, the Media Distribution
Lab, and Terminal Labs.
- Class Use
- Time scheduled for classes.
- Open Use
- Time not scheduled for classes which is available for
open, drop-in use. This time is used mainly by students
for completing class assignments and general
computer/Internet access.
Related Information:
Comments: tcleamy@ucdavis.edu
URL: http://lm.ucdavis.edu/pubs/labrep/spring97/
Last updated: May 29, 1997
|
|