Looking for the Latest
Technology? There’s Plenty of It Here
Since 1967, when Smith installed its first computer, the college has recognized
the importance of information technology for teaching and learning. Through the college’s
Information Technology Services (ITS), the Smith community can use a range of technology
tools, including computer hardware, Web-based software and myriad databases.
A hybrid coax-fiber video network now connects all campus buildings, classrooms and
students’ residential rooms. Today more than 60 cable-TV channels, four education
satellite feeds and three locally originated channels are available on campus.
A $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation enabled the campus to connect
to Internet2, which gives a number of faculty research labs and the college’s
video conferencing facilities ultra-high-speed access to research institutions across
the country.
Wireless networking is available in all classroom buildings and a growing number
of other campus locations including the libraries and the Campus Center. Nearly two-thirds
of Smith’s students own laptops with wireless capacity.
Nearly 600 Mac and Windows computers are accessible to students in classrooms, computer
centers and libraries across the campus.
With Moodle, a Web-based course management system that went live on campus during
summer 2006, students can send in homework to professors and discuss course topics
with classmates online. Faculty can use it to post teaching materials online, communicate
with students and colleagues, and track assignments and grades. It is currently being
used by 70 percent of Smith courses and is accessible in classrooms, labs, student
rooms and faculty offices through the campus network and off-campus via the Internet.
Technical support analysts in ITS’s User Support Center (USC) can help resolve
problems with desktop software and e-mail programs. The USC also provides support
for desktop computers, local and network printers, telephones, file-recovery and
virus-detection services.
Through ITS’s Educational Technology Services (ETS), which manages five computer
centers on campus, students and faculty always have access to extensive technology
facilities.
ETS also manages two 24-hour general student computer labs located in student houses.
Four classrooms, with 13 to 20 computers in each, are available to all classes with
scheduling and technical support provided by ETS. In addition, ETS staff supports
audio, video, and computer technology in 85 general-purpose classrooms.
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