Important Equipment Notice for Users of Apple Macintosh Laptop Computers

If you are using a Powerbook G4 or MacBook Pro laptop that has a DVI
connector for use with an external display or projector, you will need
to use a DVI-to-VGA adapter to connect your computer to the laptop
cable found in Technology Upgrade Classrooms.



More information regarding the adapter you need to provide can be found
on the Classroom Instructions and Laptop Self-help Web page at http://www.classroom.umn.edu/index.asp?sid=52

Building Unlocking Problems

OCM sincerely apologizes to the students and faculty who were
inconvenienced by buildings and classrooms that were not unlocked in
time for the scheduled final exams on Saturday, December 17.



All classroom buildings should have been open at 7:00 AM on Saturday.
However, a number of doors were not unlocked in time for the start of
finals. We thank those who reported the problem to the Classroom
Hotline, and we apologize for the slow response time in getting these
doors unlocked.



OCM and FM Building Services are reviewing all applicable procedures to
make sure that this problem is fixed, and to develop more rapid
response measures for the future.



Again, we apologize for this problem. It should not have happened.



Sincerely,

Steve Fitzgerald

Director of Classroom Management

Classroom Access Problems Saturday December 16

The Office of Classroom Management sincerely apologizes for the delay
in opening several buildings and classrooms on the St Paul campus for
finals on Saturday, December 16.



We recognize the importance of having classrooms ready for exams, and
understand the adverse impact on students and faculty caused by this
unacceptable occurrence. OCM acknowledges our responsibility for all
central classroom issues, and this includes classroom readiness and
classroom access.



We appreciate those who called the Classroom Hotline to report the
locked doors, and thank them for the prompt notification which assisted
in correcting the problems.



Again, our apologies to faculty and staff impacted by this problem. We
will take a lesson learned from this and redouble efforts to prevent
any recurrence.

Classroom Hotline Extended Hours During Exams

The Classroom Hotline will operate on extended hours during Exam Week,
December 14 - December 20. Call 612-625-1086 for any classroom issue or
problem.



FINALS WEEK HOURS:



Mon - Fri: 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Saturday: 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Final Exam Week Schedules

Fall 2006 Finals Week runs from Thursday, December 14 through
Wednesday, December 20. If you need information on when a final exam is
scheduled, please check the final exam information.



Final exams are usually held in the classroom in which the course met
during the semester. Departmental scheduling coordinators have already
been notified of any changes to the classroom assignment during finals
week. If faculty or staff have any questions about final exam meeting
time or location, please e-mail

Scheduling at ocmsched@umn.edu . Students with questions regarding exam locations or times should check with their instructor.

Important Equipment Notice for Users of Newer Apple Macintosh Laptops

If you are using a Powerbook G4 or MacBook Pro laptop that has a DVI
connector for use with an external display or projector, you will need
to use a DVI-to-VGA adapter to connect your computer to the laptop
cable found in Technology Upgrade Classrooms.



All MacBook Pro computers require this adapter, but not all Powerbook
G4 systems have this connector. If your Powerbook was manufactured
after April, 2002 (667 mhz or higher), it probably has this connector.
If it was manufactured before that date, it will have the VGA port that
connects without the need for the adapter. The adapter that Apple
typically supplies with the G4 looks like this:


If you are using an Apple iBook laptop (all versions) or the Powerbook
G4 with the 12" screen, you will need to use the supplied Video-to-VGA
Adapter which looks like this:

If you are using a MacBook (white or black color) or the Powerbook G4
with the 12" screen, you will need to use a Mini-DVI to VGA Adapter,
which looks like this:

Display adapters may have been included with your Apple system, however
Apple does not currently include the adapter with the MacBook.
Additional adapters can be purchased from Apple Computer.



If you have any questions or comments, please contact John Knowles at 612-626-8650 or E-mail: classrm@umn.edu

Classroom Web site Maintenance Nov 21st

The classroom.umn.edu Web site will be down for scheduled maintenance on
Monday, November 21st from 4:00 PM until approximately 6:30 PM. We
apologize for any inconvenience.

A Great Scheduling U Success

More than 100 schedulers attended the 2006 Scheduling U seminars this
month. Sessions covered many topic areas of interest from automated
system operations to R25 to "tips and Tricks" for schedulers.Feedback
from attendees has been very positive.



Well Done to the OCM Scheduling Team for their efforts in conducting another great Scheduling U event!

PeopleSoft 8.9 impact on ECS and ECAS

ECS and ECAS are both operating with slow response times due to temporary issues associated with the PeopleSoft 8.9 upgrade.



PeopleSoft maintenance by the Office of Information Technology is currently in progress.



We apologize for the inconvenience.

Scheduling University 2006

After a great success last year, "Scheduling U" will return this
August. Whether you're a Scheduling newbie or an expert in academic
scheduling, there will be a workshop for you this summer! Scheduling
staff from the Office of Classroom Management will conduct "Scheduling
University" - a comprehensive series of workshops and seminars in
August 2006.

Although this year's emphasis will be on Resource25
(aka R25), the enterprise level scheduling tool that is being rolled
out to Twin Cities departments, other workshop offerings will update
you on Electronic Course Scheduling (ECS), Electronic Course
Authorization System (ECAS), and Scheduling reports.

R25 workshops offered during Scheduling U supplement the R25 Basics course required for R25 user database access. Introduction to Resource25 will provide an overview of the R25 system. Intermediate R25 and R25, ECS, the Interface, and You are designed for our current R25 users but are open to all. The New Improved R25 Web Viewer session will be of use to the entire campus community.

All
sessions will be scheduled twice during the two week period (July
31-August 4 and August 14-18) to provide you with flexibility in
attending the workshops. Please register for the sessions at http://training.oess.umn.edu/classroom/index.html
Click on Register for Classes to see available times.

SCHEDULING UNIVERSITY 2006 OFFERINGS

Introduction to Resource25-
This session provides an overview of Resource 25 (aka R25) which is the
enterprise level scheduling tool currently being rolled out to Twin
Cities campus colleges and departments. It will feature a demonstration
of R25 and a discussion of how it can streamline your space scheduling.
Benefits include the elimination of "double-bookings," the R25/PS
interface that streamlines the flow of information between R25 and PS,
and the web viewer display of a room's schedule. The target audience is
prospective R25 users.

Intermediate R25 - This R25 User Group meeting
provides an opportunity to meet with R25 users and the R25 Support
Team. This meeting will feature 1) Assigning resources to events in
R25. 2) Creating additional searches used in generating reports in R25.
3) Activating workflow. 4) A time will be set aside for you to share
your questions and experiences. This session is designed for current
participants in the R25 Departmental Rollout but all are welcome to
attend.

R25, ECS, the Interface, and You- This
session will feature the R25/PS interface. The transactional interface
moves course information between the R25 and PS databases
automatically. Information presented will describe how the interface
works and instruction in the best practices for ECS entry for courses
needing instructional space (central and/or departmental). The target
audience is current participants in the R25 Departmental rollout and
scheduling coordinators.

New Improved R25 Web Viewer - OCM
is implementing a new improved R25 Web Viewer. This session will
demonstrate the new web viewer. The viewer will continue to provide
schedule viewer information in graphical display. Its added
functionality will include event searches and workflow. Event room
requests submitted via the web viewer will create a draft event in R25
streamlining the room assignment process. This session is designed for
all.

Scheduling 101 - This
session will focus on the course scheduling process including
production deadlines and a demonstration of Electronic Course
Scheduling including how to combine cross-listed courses. The target
audience is all new scheduling coordinators and experienced schedulers
who would like a refresher.

How to Get the Room You NEED
- Scheduling makes every attempt to meet faculty pedagogical needs when
making room assignments. This workshop will give you tips on the best
practices in submitting faculty room requests to Scheduling. It will
provide a detailed explanation of the scheduling process from ECS
Period 1 through the start of a semester. We'll answer questions
ranging from "What does a Tech Upgrade room really include?" to "Why
didn't I get assigned my favorite space?"

Using Scheduling Reports - A
full complement of Scheduling related reports is now available to
departments for use in planning, scheduling, and managing their course
offerings. The reports range from the ECS Course Scheduling available
in UM Reports to the room utilization reports found at the Office of
Classroom Management web site. This session is designed to provide
guidance on using these reports in preparing your class schedule and in
managing the department's course submission requirements.

ECAS ABC's
- The Electronic Course Authorization System (ECAS) is used to create
new courses update existing courses, and send through the approval
process. In addition to adding brand new courses, many departments
renumber existing courses and/or use new designators. This workshop
will clarify when to modify an existing course and when it's
appropriate to create a new course. It will also explain how Enrollment
Requirement Groups are created to enforce prerequisites or hold seats
as reserve groups. Lastly, a topic title will be followed from its
submission for college approval to its posting in the One Stop and
appearing on a student's transcript.

SCHEDULING U 2006 SCHEDULE

All sessions will be scheduled twice during the two week period to
provide you with flexibility in attending the workshops. Please
register for the sessions at http://training.oess.umn.edu/classroom/index.html

Week 1	Monday July 31	Tuesday August 1	Wednesday August 2	Thursday August 3
0900-1100	Scheduling 101 Blegen Hall 155	ECAS ABC's Peik Hall 28	R25, ECS, the Interface, and You Peik Hall 28	Using Scheduling Reports ClaOff B25
1330-1530	Introduction to Resource 25 EE/CSCI 3-210	Intermediate R25 Blegen Hall 155	How to Get the Room You NEED ClaOff B25	New Improved R25 Web Viewer EE/CSCI 3-210
Week 2	Monday August 14	Tuesday August 15	Wednesday August 16	Thursday August 17
0900-1100	Scheduling 101 ClaOff B25	Using Scheduling Reports Peik Hall 28	New Improved R25 Web Viewer Blegen Hall 155	ECAS ABC's Blegen Hall 155
1330-1530	Introduction to Resource 25 Blegen Hall 155	R25, ECS, the Interface, and You ClaOff B2	How to Get the Room You NEED Peik Hall 28	Intermediate R25 ClaOff B25

Use of Enterprise-Level Scheduling System for Departmental Classrooms

The following e-mail was sent to the TC-DDD List on May 31, 2006:



TO: Deans, Directors and Department Heads

FROM: Terry Bock, Associate Vice President, Academic Health Center

Craig Swan, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education



RE Use of Enterprise-Level Scheduling System for Departmental Classrooms





We write concerning the use of Resource 25 (or "R25") for scheduling

Twin Cities departmental classrooms. We have been using Resource 25

software as part of a suite of automated scheduling systems to

support 300 general purpose/central classrooms on the Twin Cities

campus. This initiative will now expand the use of the Resource 25

software to the 270 additional UMTC campus rooms designated as

departmental classrooms (Use Code 120 in the U of M Space System).

It is part of a larger Administrative Service and Productivity

project that addresses scheduling of space more generally.



The initiative to expand R25 as the standard tool for scheduling Twin

Cities campus instructional space began three years ago with a pilot

program involving departments from AHC, CLA, GC and CEHD.

Subsequently, 32 departments in 12 colleges have implemented R25 for

their departmental classrooms.



The use of R25 to schedule space has been endorsed by a number of

groups as a model project demonstrating the ability of a single

enterprise system to reduce duplication of administrative processes

and their associated support structure.



Under this initiative, The Office of Classroom Management (OCM) will

administer the system and will:

- fund the departmental R25 software licenses

- provide necessary training to departmental users

- support R25 operations in a terminal server environment for Mac and PC

users

- enter and maintain the departmental room data base within the R25

structure

- implement the initiative by start of Fall semester, 2006



Departments will:

- designate users for training (approx 4 hours) in Summer 2006

- provide departmental classroom and space characteristics data via

the OCM website

- implement R25 for scheduling departmental classrooms by start of

Fall Semester 2006



Departments retain autonomy and responsibility for scheduling their

own departmental rooms. R25 allows departments to monitor their room

assignment efficiency using a common space utilization measurement

system. Departments are encouraged to use R25 for other types of

instructional space (for example, CBS is now using R25 to schedule

its labs). A number of reports in R 25 will provide important

information about room usage that can be used in future planning.



Other benefits of using Resource25 include the system's on-line

interface with PeopleSoft that eliminates the need for the department

to "double-enter" scheduling data. It also expedites the flow of

important course scheduling information to systems, staff and

students, and prevents double-booking of department space. R25

generated Departmental Web Viewers visually display room activity in

graphic or tabular form, and allow for a quick search of a room's

availability. In response to user requests, and as a new added

feature for participants, OCM will implement increased web viewer

functionality in the near future. Additionally, R25-driven digital

signage is also under investigation by OCM.



Specific implementation details will be provided to department

scheduling contacts by email. Additional information is located on

the OCM website Departmental Resource25 Support Page,

from Bob Quinney at 4-2399, or by email addressed to R25-Support@umn.edu.



cc: Frank Cerra, Senior Vice President for Health Sciences

E. Thomas Sullivan, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Kathy Brown, Vice President and Chief of Staff

Stakeholders - Your OCM Balanced Scorecard is available

Are you a faculty member or student who teaches or learns in any of the
300 UMTC central classrooms? Do you administer courses or schedule
events in any of the 60 East Bank, West Bank or St. Paul central
classroom buildings? Are you a University Services, OIT, NTS, or other
partner with OCM in supporting teaching and learning in central
classrooms?



If you answered YES, then you are a stakeholder in the Office of
Classroom Management's effort to make our central classrooms those of a
top-three, world-class university.



Please see the OCM Balanced Scorecard on the web to see how we are doing. We welcome your comments and feedback.

Central Classrooms Surpass 80% Tech Threshold!

UMTC Classroom Tech Upgrades Reach New High!



As of the start of the Spring 2006 semester, 83% of all University of
Minnesota Twin Cities central classrooms have been upgraded to meet the
UMTC "Projection Capable Classroom" standard. This is a dramatic
turnaround from just a few short years ago, and demonstrates the
strength of University of Minnesota classroom teaching and learning
support programs.



The campus breakdown of tech equipped central classrooms meeting the "PROJECTION CAPABLE CLASSROOM" standard:

East Bank: 163 of 202 classrooms - 81%;

West Bank: 65 of 72 classrooms - 90%;

St. Paul: 26 of 31 classrooms - 84%;

TOTAL: 254 of 305 classrooms - 83%.



The PROJECTION CAPABLE CLASSROOM standard includes the baseline level
of technology specified for all UMTC central classrooms: fixed data
projector, instructor internet connectivity, "smart" control system
with standard UMTC user-friendly laptop interface, control system
networking option, various I/O devices including DVD and VCR,
accessibility features, Classroom Hotline phone, wireless student
networking, and other features.



In addition to the 254 central classrooms that have been brought up to
this level of technology, departments and colleges have purchased
another 115 systems from OCM's Classroom Technical Services ISO unit
for use in their own rooms.



All of these systems use the same operator interface and protocols.
This means that our faculty and students can walk into some 370 rooms
across the entire campus and confidently face a proven and reliable
technology system with which which they are familiar and comfortable.
Additionally, the campus benefits from the economies of scale in
production and reduced cost of this essential teaching and learning
technology in classrooms.



For additional details on the Tech Upgrade program, please see the OCM Web site at www.classroom.umn.edu.

OCM and CBS Pilot New Video Streaming Project

The Office of Classroom Management (OCM) and College of Biological
Sciences are conducting a pilot program test to evaluate the concept of
"Low-End" Asynchronous Video Streaming from a general purpose
classroom. This test adds modular technology to the standard U of M
Projection Capable Classroom system that would provide faculty with the
capability of capturing and asynchronously streaming classroom activity
without the requirements of an additional operator. OCM has been
developing the concept since 2003.



The "Low-End" Asynchronous Video Streaming module builds on the
Projection Capable Classroom standard that is the technology foundation
in all UMTC central classrooms. This Low-End Asynchronous Video
Streaming capability is also identified as "Phase III" of the ongoing
Tech Upgrade program for UMTC central classrooms.


"Low-end" asynchronous video streaming would support on-demand
recall of classroom activity. This would, for example, allow students
who missed class to recall and view classroom sessions, and could be
used by students to review class sessions prior to exams. It is not
envisioned that "low-end" asynchronous video streaming would be
sufficiently robust to adequately support the production values
necessary for live video streaming of courses or for editing content.
"Low-end" means a relatively simple capability to capture and archive
teaching activity that occurred in a classroom.



Ease of use and transparency of the system for the instructor are high
priority operating requirements of the Phase III system. The concept is
predicated on using technology to eliminate the need for a
camera/system operator. This is to be accomplished while minimizing
instructor camera control requirements and minimizing distracting
demands on the instructor. The audio content of the lecture is
recognized as an important component of the classroom presentation, so
audio quality has been made a priority consideration in system design.


This project focuses primarily on demonstrating the viability and
usability of "low-end" capture of in-classroom activity. It envisions
that this capability could be installed in some (but not all)
Projection Capable Classrooms. The project assumes the availability of
non-OCM server-farms that would host the content streamed from central
classrooms.


OCM's Classroom Technical Services unit designed the Phase III
system in the pilot project. Professor John S. Anderson from the
Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics is testing
the system in his Spring semester BIOC 3021/6021 course.

Faculty Help Available from OCM Rapid Response Team

OCM RAPID RESPONSE TEAM - READY TO HELP FACULTY AS SEMESTER STARTS!



During the first days of the semester, Office of Classroom Management
technicians will be pre-positioned on the East Bank, West Bank, and St.
Paul campuses from 8 AM to 4 PM to provide rapid in-classroom
assistance to faculty in general purpose classrooms.



Any faculty member requiring assistance should contact the Classroom
Hotline/Support Line at 625-1086. The Classroom Hotline dispatcher
is in radio contact with the roving technicians from Classroom
Technical Services, and will expedite response to the request.