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Teaching Labs: The IMLsWhat is a teaching lab?A teaching lab is a computer lab that can be reserved by instructors interested in teaching a hands-on course using computers. In Camden, the lab has special equipment that allows the instructor to control availablility of the keyboards, and to project any computer screen. In Newark, the Coordinated Instructional Facilities provide both Macintosh and Windows labs. These labs have some projection capability. In New Brunswick, the labs are called Instructional Microcomputer Labs (IML). These labs were designed specifically for teaching. The IMLs have projection equipment set up to display an image from the instructor's computer to the front of the room. Where are the teaching labs located?In Camden, the teaching lab is located in the Business and Science Building. In Newark, the teaching labs are located in the Hill Hall Lab area. Hill Hall has both Mac and Windows 95 facilities. The Coordinated Instructional Facilities provide additional teaching labs in Bradley Hall (Macintosh), Conklin Hall (Macintosh), Engelhard Hall (Windows 95), and the SI Newhouse Building (Windows 95). In New Brunswick:
Who can reserve a teaching lab?The teaching labs can be reserved by instructors of any regularly scheduled Rutgers course. The teaching labs may also be reserved by representatives for staff, faculty or student groups. A teaching lab may sometimes be reservable by Rutgers personnel interested in teaching a hands-on course to non-Rutgers individuals provided that proof of a strong affiliation with Rutgers is shown. When can courses be reserved?Reservations can be accepted as long as the lab is not already booked, the facility is open, and the reservation is made more than a week in advance. However in New Brunswick, because there is so much competition for the teaching labs, instructors are encouraged to make their request during the "Request Gathering Periods" when their chances of getting the lab are maximized. The three Gathering Periods each year are as follows:
In New Brunswick, you cannot reserve the IMLs for times the labs would normally be closed. See the current hours of operation to see when the various labs are available. How much time can be reserved in a teaching lab?Since many courses use the teaching labs, only a "reasonable" amount of time can be given. This varies depending on the time of the year. During a semester, a group is unlikely to be given the lab for an eight hour day, but there would be no problem getting two hours. For regularly scheduled Rutgers courses, a "reasonable" amount of time is equivalent to the amount of time each week that the course is scheduled by Rutgers to meet. How big can my class be?The teaching labs are limited in size. They generally have 20 to 30 workstations in them. The ideal class size is to have one person per machine. However, slightly bigger classes will be allowed - assuming there is no problem with some students doubling-up. Reservations will not be accepted for classes that are too large. This exact size is determined by the on-site staff who are familiar with the actual facilities. What alternatives to a teaching lab exist?First of all, note that various departments do run their own labs. These may be available for hands-on instruction. Ask around within departments to which you have ties. Also, keep in mind that teaching labs are meant for "hands-on" instruction. That is, each student in the class will be using the computer they are sitting at. If an instructor wants to use a computer as a teaching tool to present a lesson to the students and the students themselves have no need to be on a computer, a "Smart Classroom" may be more appropriate.
How do I reserve a teaching lab? Who are the Campus Computing Managers?
After a reservation is made, is there anything else I should do?If you have never used the teaching lab before, it can be helpful to visit the lab, meet with the manager, and get a tour of the facilities. You will definitely want to spend time on the computers in the lab making sure the lesson you intend to teach will go smoothly in the actual environment. These trial-sessions are strongly recommended. Can a teaching lab be customized to my needs?You can ask OIT to install software and other materials needed for your course. In New Brunswick there are special procedures for this. Because of the larger number of labs in New Brunswick, operations are more complex. Thus a series of conditions must be met:
There are similar, although less formal, procedures in both Newark and Camden, so please discuss this with the respective personnel. Do I have to pay to use a teaching lab?Most of the time, the answer is no. Some groups barely affiliated with Rutgers have been asked to pay a fee in the past. Is there further information about the IMLs?There is considerable information on the New Brunswick IMLs:
Whom do I go to if I need further help or assistance while planning my course in the teaching lab?Stay in contact with the Managers listed above. They will help you with any matters pertaining to the labs. What do I do if something goes wrong while I am teaching in an instructional lab?If the computers, network or projector in the lab stop working while you are teaching, immediately contact the student consultants or supervisors on duty. They will react quickly to resolve the problem. Though it is very rare, always be prepared with a back-up plan while teaching using computers. If all goes wrong, you may have to resort to using the dry erase or chalk board to finish up your lesson for the day. How are classes in teaching labs cancelled?If you made a reservation in a teaching lab and you no longer need it, please contact the Manager (listed above) who will immediately terminate the reservation, freeing up the computers for others. If the cancellation is at the very last minute, call the lab and let the workers on duty know. In New Brunswick, lab staff will cancel all future reservations for any course that has reserved time in the IMLs but which has repeatedly been failing to show up without letting us know prior to the time of the class. What rules govern the use of the labs?The standard rules for the facilities include:
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