Proposal to Create a Computer Lab in Nance Boyer for the English Department’s Use
The Tech Crew
Introduction
Cameron University’s leaders are working toward a more positive environment for each Cameron student to learn, live, study, and work in. It’s no wonder that Cameron’s new motto is “Every Student. Every Story.” Each year, Cameron has invested in technology to improve the university for every student. Cameron now has several computer labs on campus. Many classrooms are equipped with docucams, large LCD screens, and computers. The English Department, however, still lacks a large computer lab.
The English Department serves most Cameron students because two English classes, Composition I and Composition II, are requirements for graduating with any undergraduate degree, and are taught by professors from the English Department. Therefore, it is not only the English Majors and professors in the English Department who would benefit from a large computer lab in Nance Boyer.
A computer lab that would also function as a classroom would be a helpful tool for all Cameron students. Often, people have to wait for a computer to open at the Library so that they can type and print their papers. A computer lab in Nance Boyer would be a convenient place for paper writing, and professors would be able to oversee their students’ writing and research methods in class, because when classes are taught in a computer classroom, professors can observe their student’s methods more closely. Another benefit of a computer lab large enough to hold a class in is that professors could use current technology, such as PowerPoint, to help their students learn and to make their teaching more concise.
We propose to change room 3003 in Nance Boyer into a computer lab/classroom. We would like to hire a supervisor for the lab and apply for funding to hire student workers who could run the lab in the evenings. We are certain that a large computer classroom, available to students taking English classes and professors from the English Department, would make both learning and teaching more convenient. Other classes, which cannot be taught in Nance Boyer (such as Intro to Tech Writing) because there is no computer classroom there yet, could be taught in Nance Boyer where all other English classes are taught. Changing Nance Boyer 3003 into a computer lab/classroom would be as simple as installing the appropriate equipment and hiring a supervisor to run it. Most of the work can be done by Cameron employees, so the cost to Cameron would be relatively low.
Statement of Problem
Most students at Cameron University have at least two papers they must complete during each semester. For English Majors, writing papers is a more abundant practice. There is, however, a problem with the lack of open computers on campus. Most of the departments on campus have their own computer lab.
The English Department does not have a computer lab for their students. Nance Boyer does have the Center for Writers computer lab and the Language Department’s computer lab that students can make use of, but the Center for Writers only has six computers. The Language Department’s computer lab is also small, and is not a place many students know about unless they happen to stumble across it. Of course, once there, many students might feel unwelcome and out of place because they are not language majors.
Students who are frequently in the English Department, English Majors and students taking composition classes need a computer lab that they can feel comfortable and welcome in. A computer lab for the English Department would benefit those students, giving them access to more computers for research and writing papers. The students would not have to worry about taking computers away from any language majors that need to use the computer, nor would the lab take away classroom space because it would double as a classroom.
From the information we gathered from our interviews with students and faculty members, we were able to determine that should a new computer lab be provided for the English Department, students, as well as teachers, would make use of it.
Proposed Solution
We would like to improve Cameron University’s ability to cater to all students, and provide a convenient place for paper writing, research, and English classes available to the English Department. We suggest that Cameron converts room 3003 (Nance Boyer) into a computer classroom/lab. In that lab, we would like to have a small study area and reference section of English textbooks and reference books. We would also propose that Cameron hire a supervisor for the lab, and apply for the funding necessary to hire student workers who could stay in the lab at nights and whenever the supervisor could not be present. Cameron is already using classroom 3003 in Nance Boyer for some classes, but there are always open classrooms which could be used as alternative spaces for the classes which would be displaced. Cameron already has staff members who could set up the electronic equipment in the classroom, and the supplies we would need to fill the lab would be relatively cheap: chairs, tables, computers, and a desk. This proposal suggests an alternative to waiting in line at the Library for an open computer, or visiting the Center for Writers or Language Lab when they are overflowing with students. To build a computer lab large enough to hold classes in would make paper writing and research, along with learning and teaching, a much more convenient process.
The Tech Crew
Introduction
Cameron University’s leaders are working toward a more positive environment for each Cameron student to learn, live, study, and work in. It’s no wonder that Cameron’s new motto is “Every Student. Every Story.” Each year, Cameron has invested in technology to improve the university for every student. Cameron now has several computer labs on campus. Many classrooms are equipped with docucams, large LCD screens, and computers. The English Department, however, still lacks a large computer lab.
The English Department serves most Cameron students because two English classes, Composition I and Composition II, are requirements for graduating with any undergraduate degree, and are taught by professors from the English Department. Therefore, it is not only the English Majors and professors in the English Department who would benefit from a large computer lab in Nance Boyer.
A computer lab that would also function as a classroom would be a helpful tool for all Cameron students. Often, people have to wait for a computer to open at the Library so that they can type and print their papers. A computer lab in Nance Boyer would be a convenient place for paper writing, and professors would be able to oversee their students’ writing and research methods in class, because when classes are taught in a computer classroom, professors can observe their student’s methods more closely. Another benefit of a computer lab large enough to hold a class in is that professors could use current technology, such as PowerPoint, to help their students learn and to make their teaching more concise.
We propose to change room 3003 in Nance Boyer into a computer lab/classroom. We would like to hire a supervisor for the lab and apply for funding to hire student workers who could run the lab in the evenings. We are certain that a large computer classroom, available to students taking English classes and professors from the English Department, would make both learning and teaching more convenient. Other classes, which cannot be taught in Nance Boyer (such as Intro to Tech Writing) because there is no computer classroom there yet, could be taught in Nance Boyer where all other English classes are taught. Changing Nance Boyer 3003 into a computer lab/classroom would be as simple as installing the appropriate equipment and hiring a supervisor to run it. Most of the work can be done by Cameron employees, so the cost to Cameron would be relatively low.
Statement of Problem
Most students at Cameron University have at least two papers they must complete during each semester. For English Majors, writing papers is a more abundant practice. There is, however, a problem with the lack of open computers on campus. Most of the departments on campus have their own computer lab.
The English Department does not have a computer lab for their students. Nance Boyer does have the Center for Writers computer lab and the Language Department’s computer lab that students can make use of, but the Center for Writers only has six computers. The Language Department’s computer lab is also small, and is not a place many students know about unless they happen to stumble across it. Of course, once there, many students might feel unwelcome and out of place because they are not language majors.
Students who are frequently in the English Department, English Majors and students taking composition classes need a computer lab that they can feel comfortable and welcome in. A computer lab for the English Department would benefit those students, giving them access to more computers for research and writing papers. The students would not have to worry about taking computers away from any language majors that need to use the computer, nor would the lab take away classroom space because it would double as a classroom.
From the information we gathered from our interviews with students and faculty members, we were able to determine that should a new computer lab be provided for the English Department, students, as well as teachers, would make use of it.
Proposed Solution
We would like to improve Cameron University’s ability to cater to all students, and provide a convenient place for paper writing, research, and English classes available to the English Department. We suggest that Cameron converts room 3003 (Nance Boyer) into a computer classroom/lab. In that lab, we would like to have a small study area and reference section of English textbooks and reference books. We would also propose that Cameron hire a supervisor for the lab, and apply for the funding necessary to hire student workers who could stay in the lab at nights and whenever the supervisor could not be present. Cameron is already using classroom 3003 in Nance Boyer for some classes, but there are always open classrooms which could be used as alternative spaces for the classes which would be displaced. Cameron already has staff members who could set up the electronic equipment in the classroom, and the supplies we would need to fill the lab would be relatively cheap: chairs, tables, computers, and a desk. This proposal suggests an alternative to waiting in line at the Library for an open computer, or visiting the Center for Writers or Language Lab when they are overflowing with students. To build a computer lab large enough to hold classes in would make paper writing and research, along with learning and teaching, a much more convenient process.
Schedule
The following is a schedule of the tasks of the computer lab conversion.
8 week schedule for room 3003 computer lab conversion:
Week 1: Clear out room 3003.
Week 2-3: Order computers and furniture.
Week 3-4: Shipping of computers and furniture (this is assuming all items are in stock).
Week 5-6: Setting up computer lab (installing computers and arranging furniture).
Week 6-7: Hiring and training staff.
Week 8: Opening lab
According to our research, we presume that it will take approximately 8 weeks to get the computer lab set up and running. We allow only 2 weeks for shipping because we can choose expedited shipping for some items. There is a buffer in place between shipping and lab set up to allow for late or missing items to arrive. By week 8, the lab should be completely furnished and running with at a minimum of 3 people (a lab supervisor and two student workers).
The following is a schedule of the tasks of the computer lab conversion.
8 week schedule for room 3003 computer lab conversion:
Week 1: Clear out room 3003.
Week 2-3: Order computers and furniture.
Week 3-4: Shipping of computers and furniture (this is assuming all items are in stock).
Week 5-6: Setting up computer lab (installing computers and arranging furniture).
Week 6-7: Hiring and training staff.
Week 8: Opening lab
According to our research, we presume that it will take approximately 8 weeks to get the computer lab set up and running. We allow only 2 weeks for shipping because we can choose expedited shipping for some items. There is a buffer in place between shipping and lab set up to allow for late or missing items to arrive. By week 8, the lab should be completely furnished and running with at a minimum of 3 people (a lab supervisor and two student workers).
Qualifications
Stefani Goode: A Senior English and International Languages major. She knows the faculty in the English department, and is acquainted with the limited availability of computers and classrooms in the English Department.
Alicia Jones: A Sophomore English major with a focus in Creative Writing. Her experience with graphic design along with her English research assignments provides her insight into the necessity of computer classroom labs for English majors.
Sarah Standish: A Senior English and International Languages major. She also has experienced the difficulty of accessing computers in the department or on campus. Her experience as a student worker in one of Cameron’s computer labs has taught her what is needed for a successfully run computer lab.
Renee Gettes: A college graduate who is pursuing a graduate degree in Nurse Practitioner specialty. She has taken several nursing classes at Cameron through ITV with the Altus and Duncan campuses, and has experienced the advantage of multimedia technology in the classroom and the disadvantage of limited computer classroom access for assignments.
Methods
As a group we decided that our primary research would be done via interviews and online searches. During our primary research phase we researched what areas on the Cameron Campus (specifically in the Nance Boyer building) would be a good area to set up a computer lab. We decided on the best possible room. We then researched computers and furniture and other lab required items online. We decided to interview various staff members at Cameron University that work in or have knowledge of computer labs. Our secondary research would be library research. We researched computer lab rules and regulations. We researched costs of Cameron Computer Lab supervisors.
Budget
As a group we decided that there is no reason to build an addition to Nance Boyer for our English Department Computer Lab. It is cheaper to just use one of the larger classrooms on the 3rd floor of Nance Boyer. We decided that room 3003 is the best choice for our lab. We have researched furniture, documcams, LCD projectors and computers, plus the cost of staffing a lab supervisor.
We decided on furniture from http://www.schooloutfitters.com/. The bookshelves cost 219.99, the tables are 284.99 each (we will need 15, since they hold only two computers each), the chairs are 119.99 each (we chose rolling office chairs), and the supervisor's desk could cost anywhere from 273.99-709.99 (depending on the model we chose to use). We decided on 2 bookshelves, 15 tables, 31 chairs, and 1 instructor terminal (at $273.99) and the sub-total is $8708.51.
The cost of the docucams and projectors will vary among new and refurbished items. We researched sites such as price.com, Epsom.com, and Dell. The site we believed to be best and most reasonably priced for projectors was Epsom. There were various docucams for overhead projectors or the type that is attached with the upper ceiling multimedia devices. The cost of a new docucam would average about $300.00, whereas a refurbished docucam would be about $80.00. The cost of a new LCD projector would average about $2000.00, and the most expensive one on the Dell website was $4500.00. The cost of a refurbished quality LCD projector on the Epsom website would be around $469.00.We decided on the $2000.00 LCD Projector and the $300.00 docucam and the sub-total is $2300.00.
Since Cameron University uses Dell Computers it was a group consensus that we stay with what is already being used. Dell has updated the look of their computers and after researching Dell’s premier site for Higher Education and their Home/ Home Office computers we found it would be cheaper to go with the Home / Home Office computers. A Dell Inspiron 537 ST with 18.5 inch Monitor costs $648.00 per computer. We decided that there should be 31 computers in the lab (30 student computers and 1 instructor terminal). We decided on 3 laser jet printers; Dell 1110 Laser Jet printers cost $119.00. We added 9 Dell surge protectors at $25.00 each and 3 printer cables at $19.00 each. The sub-total is $20,691.00 (this price does not include shipping & handling and tax).
The cost of furnishing a computer lab with computers, furniture and other items (such as docucam, LCD projector and surge protectors) costs in total $31,735.51 and this price does not include shipping, tax, and setup fees.
A supervisor at a Cameron Lab makes approximately $26000.00 a year. Cameron University gets Federal and State funding for student workers. Funding for the computer lab will be provided by donations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we feel the that using Nance Boyer 3003 as a new computer lab and ITV classroom, while still holding regular classes there, would benefit the students. Equipping the new computer lab would be relatively cheap, since it would only need to be furnished with the appropriate technology and furniture. Since the new lab would also function as a classroom, classes that have been displaced from Nance Boyer in the past, such as Intro to Tech Writing, could be taught there. The computers would be available for any class taught there. When the lab is not being used by a class, it would be open to any English major, student taking an English class, or professor in the English Department to use. A new computer lab will benefit students and teachers at Cameron University by providing more computers to help with research, writing papers, and teaching classes.
Works Cited
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UAA Computer Services. 7 November 2009.
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2000. Computer Lab Design Considerations. 7 November 2009
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<http://www.usc.edu/its/cst/news/tel_success.php>.
Dell Computers and Laser Printers. 23 March 2007. 17 November 2009 <2009>.
Epson. 7 April 2008. 17 November 2009. <http://pos.epson/searchResults.html>.
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Appendices
Age:
Circle One: Student / Alumni
Circle One: sophomore / freshman / junior / senior / graduate / instructor
1) Are departmental computer labs convenient?
2) How would a computer lab / tech classroom help students at Cameron?
3) How would a computer lab / tech classroom help the English Department?
4) Would it be convenient to make an English Department Computer lab an ITV classroom as well?
5) What classes could be taught through the English Department Computer lab / Tech classroom / ITV classroom?
6) Would you donate to the English department as a startup for the lab?
