Spring 2024 Newsletter

Key Reminders and Best Practices

Here are some IS&T tips for returning to campus including additional resources for instructional technologies, classroom technologies, computer labs, software, and hardware to help your semester get off to a great start.

  1. Review the Spring 2024 Back to Campus Checklist
  2. Activate your course site(s) in D2L
  3. Update your RamCast (Mersive Solstice) client
  4. Update your Zoom Client
  5. Learn how to manage your technology inside and out of the classroom
  6. Visit the Classroom Technology Directory to verify equipment in your classroom
  7. Learn how to connect your laptop to a classroom display with HDMI
  8. Catch up on all the new and improved tools and features of D2L, Zoom and Panopto
  9. Consider Bookings for scheduling office hours
  10. Login to ServiceNow and use the Virtual Agent to search for support articles

29th Annual RECAP Conference

IS&T is thrilled to announce the Call for Proposals for the 29th Annual RECAP Conference - a gathering of forward-thinking educators, technologists, and innovators in higher education, hosted by Information Services & Technology in partnership with the Teaching and Learning Center. RECAP will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2024, in the SECC.

This event promises to be an inspiring showcase of reliable strategies, transformative technologies, and innovative pedagogical approaches that are shaping the future of higher education. For more information or to submit a proposal, visit https://wcupa.edu/RECAP

RECAP Flyer

Keeping Up With Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI-driven solutions, such as IS&T's ServiceNow Virtual Agent, offer a streamlined troubleshooting process that delivers users precise, real-time solutions for their technical concerns. IS&T is actively configuring and testing "NOW Assist" an enhanced set of AI features made available in the latest release of ServiceNow that are expected to strengthen responses from the Virtual Agent and further automate backend workflows for our support agents.

To address the impact of AI-generated content on teaching and learning the Teaching and Learning Center has developed a Teaching with Generative AI Toolkit that provides faculty guidance on developing an approach to engaging with AI tools that is best suited to their teaching style and context. Faculty are encouraged to reach out to their instructional designer or email tlc@wcupa.edu to explore strategies for their specific teaching context.

Teams from IS&T and the Teaching and Learning Center developed a new module in Navigating Digital Learning Introduction to Generative Artificial Intelligence where students will learn what generative artificial intelligence is, including benefits, pitfalls, and how these tools might be used at West Chester University.

Moonshot for Equity Initiative: Technology Access

Student Laptop Lending:

The equipment lending program offers students a variety of lending options as part of the Moonshot for Equity with the goal of providing equitable access to technology resources for students demonstrating need for the equipment. Visit the Student Computing Resources website to learn more about each of these programs, available computer labs, and educational discounts for students who may be looking to purchase equipment.

Adjunct Faculty Laptops:

The Provost's Office, Deans and IS&T have allocated resources to maintain a supply of Windows and MacOS laptops that will now be available for adjunct faculty. Submit a request using the Adjunct Faculty Loaner Laptop Form.

Software Access Via RamCloud NextGen:

RamCloud enables seamless streaming of applications directly to a student's web browser on any device including Windows, Mac, or Linux operating systems. The platform seamlessly integrates with the university Learning Management System D2L, simplifies management duties, provides rapid and effective access to university storage services like OneDrive and GoogleDrive, minimizes delays, reduces overall ownership expenses, and boosts security measures. Watch the RamCloud NextGen Promotional Video or login at https://ramcloud.wcupa.edu.

Expanded Access to Adobe for Students:

With PASSHE's expanded Adobe Creative Cloud educational site license, all WCU students have access to Adobe's web-based creative platform Adobe Express. Additionally, students enrolled in academic programs requiring Adobe products to complete coursework will have no-cost access to the full Adobe Creative Cloud Pro suite. IS&T will provide more details on the availability of Adobe Express, and Adobe Creative Cloud later in the fall term.

Cybersecurity Awareness

Have you completed your cybersecurity awareness training?

An informed community is the best defense against cyber-attacks and preventing information security compromises. As new threats emerge daily and shift the cybersecurity landscape, it's important for our community to stay vigilant and follow best practices to effectively identify and report suspicious emails or activity.

All Students: 2024 Student Cybersecurity Awareness Quiz is accessible through D2L

Faculty & Staff: WCU Cybersecurity Awareness Training 2023-2024, Danger Zone

Know the Basics of Cyber Attacks:

Phishing attacks, where cybercriminals use deceptive emails to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links, are a significant concern. Educational institutions are often targeted due to the diverse and trusting user base.

Ransomware attacks have become increasingly sophisticated and can cripple an institution's operations by encrypting critical data and demanding ransom for its release. Paying the ransom doesn't guarantee data recovery and can encourage further attacks.

Neurodiversity Post-Graduate Intern Program

IS&T has partnered with the Dub-C Autism Program (DCAP) to establish hands-on learning opportunities designed to prepare neurodiverse students for the professional world. Three students from DCAP actively engaged in the program, contributing to tasks such as tracking asset inventory, configuring equipment for the Moon Shot for equity lending program, handling back-end business processes, and providing user support through the IS&T Help Desk. The initiative proved highly successful and has since evolved into a pilot for the inaugural post-graduate work readiness program tailored for neurodiverse graduates.

Continuing their commitment, two recent graduates are currently enrolled in a work readiness program facilitated by IS&T in partnership with the DCAP College Work Experience. This program serves as both a transitional measure towards employment and an opportunity for further development of their technical and interpersonal skills. These graduates are actively involved in IT-related responsibilities, including assisting with technology equipment configurations, managing asset inventory, and processing requests under specific guidance.

Data Center Walkthrough

Information Services and Technology (IS&T) team organized an educational tour for a group of students at one of our primary data centers located in Allegheny Hall. The purpose of this initiative was to offer students who have a keen interest in technology a firsthand experience, featuring a comprehensive walkthrough of our server room. This exclusive opportunity allowed them to gain valuable insights into the cutting-edge technical operations at West Chester University.

The tour, facilitated by IS&T team members Kevin Partridge, Shaun Spence, Mike Thomas, Dan Delgadillo, and Pete Calvert, was attended by student interns Scott Stahmer, Simeon Elias, Xi Li, and William Small. We believe that such initiatives play a crucial role in fostering a deeper understanding of our state-of-the-art infrastructure and technical capabilities among our student community.

Data Center Walkthrough

Sustainability Initiative: Electronic Recycling of Personal Devices

Got a new computer over the holiday and/or need to recycle your old personal device(s)? Drop-off bins are located at the FHG Library and the Sykes Student Union.

Sustainability Initiative

Tools for Digital Accessibility

ReadSpeaker is a text-to-speech tool in D2L that speaks the content written on a page. Comprised of WebReader and DocReader, ReadSpeaker helps users to process information in different ways.

Panopto Captioning: All videos added to Panopto have automatic, machine-generated closed captions. The machine-generated captions are intended to be a base for creating accurate captions with the built-in Panopto editor. They also enable users to search and interact with transcript while watching a video.

Zoom Live Captioning & Transcripts: You can turn on the Live Captioning feature to have your Zoom audio machine captioned. Zoom also enables you to assign a participant to be a Live Captioner. Attendees can turn on or off the option to view the subtitled captions. If the Zoom meeting is recorded, a transcript will automatically be created for the recording with the ability to download and distribute.

Visit the articles below to learn more about tools for digital accessibility.

Mobile Apps to Stay Connected

Brightspace Pulse App (Students)

Brightspace Pulse is a free mobile app available for iOS and Android devices that can help you stay connected and on track with your courses in D2L Brightspace. It provides one easy view of D2L course calendars, readings, assignments, evaluations, grades, and announcements. Download on iOS or Android

LinkedIn Learning (Students, Faculty & Staff)

LinkedIn Learning is an industry leader in online training, with a digital video library of content covering a wide range of technical, creative, and soft-skill topics. Download on iOS or Android

Mersive Solstice aka RamCast (Students, Faculty & Staff)

Allows users to wirelessly connect to WCU presentation systems in classrooms, conference rooms, and other meeting spaces. RamCast Website Download on iOS or Android

ServiceNow Now Mobile (Students, Faculty & Staff)

Search for support articles, submit a ticket or interact with the Virtual Agent questions. Download on iOS or Android

Contact Technical Support

West Chester University | Information Services & Technology
To learn more about Information Services & Technology, visit the IS&T website
or to speak with a LIVE Agent dial 610-436-3350
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