By Claudia Lynch, Benchmarks Online Editor
Every August since 1998, Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin has released a summary of characteristics typical of incoming freshman. This year's list emphasizes that the Class of 2018, most of them born in 1996, have grown up in a world where content and information have always been free and omnipresent. This has some interesting consequences.
By Claudia Lynch, Benchmarks Online Editor
You still have time to register for the EDUCAUSE 2014 Annual Conference, coming up at the end of the month. There is also a virtual Annual Conference, and EDUCAUSE Live! webinars remain free and available for viewing at a time of your choosing.
By Ray Banks, IT Manager, Academic Computing Technical Services (ACUS)
The fall semester has started! As mentioned in a previous Benchmarks Online article, Curry Searle led the Classroom Desktop Services project in 2008, supporting four heavily utilized collaborative computer classrooms at Discovery Park. Additionally, he provided technical management of the Sage Hall Academic Testing Center from the startup in the fall of 2012. He heavily contributed countless man-hours to make these areas successful and leave heavy shoes to fill!
By Dr. Philip Baczewski, Senior Director of Academic Computing and User Services and Deputy Chief Information Officer for University Information
UIT staff spoke to many students, faculty, and staff members on campus during the information gathering phase of our recent strategic planning process. Two recurring themes during those discussions were, "how can I find out what IT services are available at UNT?", and "How can I get help with IT services at UNT?". In response, we have made some changes to the UIT website to better direct people to available IT Services and to the support infrastructures that can provide direct help for those services.
By Claudia Lynch, Benchmarks Online Editor
John Hooper, pictured right, Vice Provost for Information Technology and UNT’s Chief Information Officer, will retire September 30. He was honored at a reception in the Gateway Center Ballroom on September 15, with many people in attendance who have worked with John over the years. Ironically, this month's "By the Numbers," on the right side of the front page, includes significant milestones in the history of computing at UNT including John's appointment to the position of Executive Director of Administrative Information Systems.
By Claudia Lynch, Benchmarks Online Editor
The conference is over but you can still access resources from EDUCAUSE 2014.
By Dr. Elizabeth Hinkle-Turner, Director - Academic Computing Technical Services
This update is for several articles I have written in the past detailing free and/or educationally-priced software for students, faculty, and staff at UNT. The original articles appeared in Benchmarks in September 2013 and February 2014. Some of that information is still relevant but other options have changed - fortunately, usually for the better! Below is a complete update of software available at educational pricing and links on how and where to get it.
By Dr. Philip Baczewski, Senior Director of Academic Computing and User Services and Deputy Chief Information Officer for University Information
In Fall 2014, the University of North Texas instituted a new method of managing student printing in Student Computer labs. The primary reason for the change in procedure is to enable student printing at campus locations other than in Student Computer Labs and to allow students to print documents directly from their personal computing devices.
By Dr. Philip Baczewski, Senior Director of Academic Computing and User Services and Deputy Chief Information Officer for University Information
Last January, University IT, in collaboration with the UNT Systems IT Shared Services division, began a project to enhance WiFi networking on the UNT campus. The initial phases of the project were designed to concentrate on academic spaces to enable use of wireless technology as an instructional tool and to enhance wireless service where students spend a good deal of their time in or between classes.
By Claudia Lynch, Benchmarks Online Editor
Thanksgiving and all the good things normally associated with it is almost here.
By Dr. Elizabeth Hinkle-Turner, Director - Academic Computing Technical Services
A gentle reminder from the staff of the Sage Hall Computer-Based Testing Center and its other associated online testing facilities. The Sage Hall Computer-Based Testing Center is beginning to fill up for the spring semester especially during mid-terms and finals weeks. Faculty who want a prime spot for their exams should be starting to reserve the Center for spring 2015 as soon as possible.
By Claudia Lynch, Benchmarks Online Editor
Data Management Services, a division of Academic Computing and User Services (ACUS), provides automated exam grading with analysis, research data entry, scannable survey design and course and faculty evaluation services. They will have extended hours for final exam week, December 8-12, 2014.
By Amber Evetts, CTDS Student Technician
Have you ever tried to get a reservation at the Sage Hall Testing center only to find that it was all booked up? Did you think you would have to resort to plain ole’ pen and paper tests? Well think again! CTDS is introducing the newest member of the Testing Center clan, the Mobile Testing Center!
By Claudia Lynch, Benchmarks Online Editor
The fall semester is over, winter is upon us; time to rest, relax, catch up on things that were put aside, and generally take a break from what had become your routine these past few months. The following information should help you plan your activities if you need/want to access campus computing facilities over the break.
By Claudia Lynch, Benchmarks Online Editor
Lots of EDUCAUSE opportunities await you in the coming year. Connect with your peers at EDUCAUSE Connect in San Diego next month; attend the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) Annual Meeting in February; submit a proposal for the 2015 Annual Meeting. And of course, EDUCAUSE Live! webinars remain free and available for viewing at a time of your choosing.
By Dr. Elizabeth Hinkle-Turner, Director - Academic Computing Technical Services
Now and then at winter break, "Computing Santa" (alias "IT Santa") gets inspired and shares with all UNT students, faculty, and staff some tips to keep them on his "nice computer user" list for the year. Now, by following these gentle suggestions below, we cannot guarantee you that the Jolly Old Elf will bring you an iPad, but it sure can't hurt for you to try! The last time Santa became so inspired was with this 2010 article (my, how time flies!). This year's article contains some updates and additions to the suggestions given in that still-quite-relevant 2010 version.!
This is a "mashup" of two articles* that we've published in the past. The original authors are Gabe Marshall and Cathy Gonzalez. Both are no longer employed by UNT or the UNT System. The information in the articles has been updated when appropriate. -- Ed.
The holiday season is here. Again. That means that you as a UNT faculty or staff member should be extra careful while you are away and needing to take your technology with you. When traveling with a personal or UNT owned laptop, there are several key tips you will need to keep in mind.
By Claudia Lynch, Benchmarks Online Editor
Lots of EDUCAUSE opportunities await you in 2015. Connect with your peers at EDUCAUSE Connect in San Diego this month or in San Antonio in April; attend the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) Annual Meeting in February; plan to attend the 2015 Annual Meeting in October in Indiana. Always, of course, EDUCAUSE Live! webinars remain free and available for viewing at a time of your choosing.
By Claudia Lynch, Benchmarks Online Editor
Various versions of this article are published each semester. -- Ed.
Welcome, or welcome back, to UNT! If you're new, or if you've just been away for a while, it is our hope that this article will serve as a handy starting point to get you acquainted (or re-acquainted) with the resources that are available to you here at the University.
By Ashley Olsberg, Classroom Support Services (CSS) Manager
Welcome to a new semester! We look forward to working with you this semester.
As a result of extensive work with Faculty, Staff and Students last semester regarding how to improve the classroom experience, the CSS team worked to develop a plan based on your feedback and put these plans into action during the down time between semesters.
