In the Fall 07 the Helpdesk installed a phone prompt that helps to direct callers to the appropriate area of technical support. For Spring 08 we have changed the phone menu to reflect the needs of the campus. Those who regularly call the HelpDesk in need of technical support are accustomed to choosing option 1 for HelpDesk support. Please note that HelpDesk support is now available from option 2. Below is a detailed description of the call menu and the support avenue's available from the new phone system.

There is a new version of eLearning Vista for Spring 2008. The direct link to the site is http://vista.csus.ct.edu/ and you should be signing in with the same set of credentials as you did in Vista 3 (your MySCSU username and password).

The ResNet staff will attempt to provide students with a working connection to the ResNet network, which provides connectivity to the campus network and the Internet. In addition, we will attempt to provide functional software, such as an operating system, web browser, and anti-virus, as supported by ResNet and the university. Below is the structure of how support is handled.

In 2006, eLearning Vista 3 was implemented on our campus. To date, 657 sections have been taught via eLearning Vista, and that number continues to grow. eLearning Vista strongly supports our strategic goals for a campus-wide enterprise implementation that can scale as high as we need it to and flexibly support a broad range of learning styles, teaching methods, and course formats.

The new eLearning Vista 4 version comes with greater functionality and enhancements to many of the WebCT tools and a simplified user interface for the designer/instructor and student. Some of the new tools include Blogging and Journaling functionality, Profiles for Social Computing, Grading Rubrics, and Peer Review discussions. Version 4 provides a cleaner, more user-friendly interface design with fewer clicks and a collapsible user menu to increase course design space. Faculty will also have the ability to add tools quickly to their course through the new quick start page. Additionally, this version provides built-in interactive tutorials to assist new users.

Blackboard bought WebCT, so, in effect, WebCT does not exist anymore. The application that is the Southern Connecticut State University standard is called Vista. Hence, we are catching up to that corporate merger and no longer use the old name. In order to differentiate from the new (in 2007) Microsoft operating system, also called Vista, we are calling the Distance Learning System eLearning Vista.

Academic Computing offers one-on-one tutorials (Go to Training link). Blackboard offers a variety of tutorials and knowledge base information. www.blackboard.com Links for online tutorials can also be found through the Training link on this site. The Help file in eLearning Vista is very valuable. Has an index and search options and can be accessed from anywhere within your Course on eLearning Vista.

The following announcements have been posted by the OIT HelpDesk: Student Assistant Position Available January 4, 2008 The OIT HelpDesk is now hiring undergraduate Student Assistants. Applicants should be self-motivated, possess good customer service and communication skills, able to take initiative, be comfortable talking with people, and able to perform well in a team environment. Applicants should be available to work 20 hours per week (M-F), preferably in blocks of 3+ hours. Students able to hold this position for more than one academic year are strongly preferred. The starting salary for this position is $8.50/hour. Note that this is a customer service-oriented position; this is NOT a programming position. If you are an undergraduate student with good customer service skills and an interest in computers, please fill out the

Please review the following changes to be implemented this summer that we believe will improve our overall information-technology environment. The second change requires action on your part.

This document serves as a set of guidelines to inform decision making within Earlham Computing Services (ECS) as well as a guide for community members to better understand the Micro Computer support services provided by ECS. The document is limited in scope in that it sets official policy for providing help through the HelpDesk. Because ECS is very service minded there are other avenues by which service is provided, e.g., staff freely help students in the Lilly computer lab even in the evenings and on weekends; staff interact with faculty, staff and students across campus in many settings besides a formal "office call." By setting down these policies and channeling requests for help through the HelpDesk we hope to provide better service, have an accurate profile of user training needs, and demonstrate the appropriate level of staff needed to handle the volume of requests.