Instructional Technology

With facilities in Jesup Hall and The Center for Educational Technology (CET) located on the 2nd floor of Sawyer Library, support is provided by ITech’s three working groups:

  • The ITS liaisons, supporting academic departments and technologies
  • The Media Services group, supporting classroom functionality and the equipment loan center (ELC)
  • The Project Group, providing software and database solutions

Please explore our primary services list below for supported technologies that may be appropriate in your teaching and research.  If you have questions about ITech services, please contact your departmental liaison, email ITech or call Jonathan Leamon at 413-597-4468.

ITech Primary Services

  • 3D Printing

    cet-makerspaceThe makerspace has its own site at https://williamsmakerspace.wordpress.com

    The makerspace in the CET is a place to make the digital world real. With a 3D printer, 3D scanner and a variety of software and hardware tools it’s staffed by students who can assist with printing, or help you learn how to develop your own models and projects.

    Who can use it?
    The makerspace and equipment is available to any member of the Williams community. If you’d like your class to incorporate 3D printing into your course, please contact your ITech liaison in advance so we can schedule the equipment.

    How do I access it?
    For students that are unfamiliar with the technology, the best way to start a project is to stop by when the room is open and talk to one of the student staff. Faculty and staff can also contact Jonathan Leamon (jleamon@williams.edu) with any questions.

    Where is it located?
    The makerspace is in the CET room 242, on the second floor of Sawyer library

    How do I get help?
    There are FAQ’s and other help documentation available on the makerspace’s website, or stop by the room when it’s open. You can also contact Jonathan Leamon.


  • Academic and Conference Poster Printing
    • Posters

      Anything larger than 11" x 17" is considered a poster.

      Organization, club or other promotional posters, as well as department informational posters, should be printed through Print Services (contact jshea@williams.edu).

      Academic posters

      Academic posters (e.g. posters used for conference presentations, departmental thesis poster sessions, research poster sessions and specific class assignments) are eligible for free printing through itech. This does not include department informational, decorative posters or personal images. Academic Poster Printing Policy

      For campus academic poster sessions or large class printing please refer to the libguide.

      Poster printing using one of OIT's two plotters requires an appointment made at least 24 hours in advance. We supply double-weight matte paper only, with a maximum width of 36" (one side, paper is on a roll so the other side can be longer).

      Making your 30 minute "plotter" appointment assumes you are ready to print and does not include any time for help creating or finishing your poster layout. For help creating your poster, please check with the "on duty" SMC in the CET area. Faculty may contact their iTech liaison.

      Plotter Location & Hours

      The plotter is located on the second floor of Sawyer Library, Room 244, in the Center for Educational Technology.

      Monday 2pm - 4pm
      Wednesday 2pm - 4pm
      Thursday 2pm - 4pm
      Friday 10am - 12pm

      Print Room Appointment Signup

    • Flyers

      Printing vs. Copying

      For large batches, consider having copies made by Print Services - it's far less expensive than printing.  Contact John Shea by phone or email: 413-597-2022 /  John.T.Shea@williams.edu for more information.

      Printing Flyers

      Standard letter sized flyers (8.5″ x 11″) can be printed on any public printer on campus.  If you need a tabloid size flyer (11″ x 17″ ), you can use one of these printers:

      • 241 Center for Educational Technology (in new Sawyer)
      • 201 Jesup

      All print jobs are routed through PaperCut so you will need sufficient funds for large jobs.

      Tips for flyer printing:

      • Go to the location to print! You should print a single copy first, to check that the formatting and the colors are as expected before printing a large batch. The CET color printer is on a release station so you must be present to print. There is also help on hand in the CET.
      • Be sure to set the correct paper size in the Page Set Up of the document as well as in the printer dialog box.

    • SSR 2017

      Dates and Deadline:

      During the week of Aug. 7th, 2017 , OIT will NOT take any signup for poster printing appointment. All poster printings for Summer Science Poster Session on Friday, August 11th will be submitted as PDF files using this Form . Your department or your research group may have different timeframes of when your poster should be ready but the deadline for poster printing submission is set as follows:

      Aug. 8th: All poster printing must be submitted via this Form by the end of the day
      Aug. 10th: Your poster will be ready for pickup at CET in Sawyer Library after 12PM

      Only one copy of each poster can be printed. Typos & mistakes do not qualify for a reprint. Please examine a proof of your poster either on 8 1∕2 x 11 or on 11 x 17 paper to ensure everything appears correct before submitting for printing via this Form!

      Poster Size:

      Poster size will be with a maximum width of 36″, one side, paper is on a roll of 36” in width so the other side can be longer, but the recommended poster size is 36” by 36″ (or less).

      PDF File Name:

      The file name of PDF submitted for printing via this Form needs to include your network id plus your Dept. (e.g. for John Doe of Physics Dept, the file name will look like jd1_phys.pdf). If there is an issue opening the file submitted via this Form , you will be contacted.

      Software for Poster Design:

      There are many different software available for poster design but the most popular ones are Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe InDesign. Just pick one that’s best for you. If you use PowerPoint to create your poster, make sure you set the size of your PowerPoint to be either the recommended size (36” by 36″) or your preferred size. By default, PowerPoint slide is set for printing on 8 1∕2 x 11 paper. Make sure to convert your final version to a pdf file to be submitted.

      Tutorials:

      OIT has a campus license for http://www.lynda.com which provides in­depth, self­paced instructional videos for a wide range of topics and software including Adobe InDesign and Microsoft PowerPoint. Information on signing up/signing in for http://www.lynda.com is available at https://oit.williams.edu/help/lynda/

      If you have specific questions or require assistance, please plan on visiting the Student Media Consultant (SMC) on duty in the CET area of Sawyer Library. Issues that SMC can’t handle will be directed to an ITS member.


  • Academic Event Support

    Media Services provides limited support to academic and student group events. This includes operating or consulting for live sound and projection for lectures, panel discussions, screenings, and performances.



  • Center for Educational Technology

    The Center for Educational Technology (CET)

    The CET is Williams new facility designed to enhance the relationship between learning and technology. It houses a number of new and exciting facilities and resources, the student help desk, most of the staff of the Instructional Technology group and several from Desktop Systems. By juxtaposing resources for faculty and students with instructional technologists and librarians, the facility provides a new depth of support and collaboration for technology in education.

    Read an article on the CET from the Williams website.

    Hours

    The CET is open during regular building hours. Check the library website for details.

    Location

    26 Hopkins Hall Drive

    The CET takes up the south side of the second floor of Sawyer library. Click the image below to see the locations of specific resources & facilities.

    CET Floor Plan


  • Classroom Polling (a.k.a. Clickers)
    • Overview

      classroom polling hardware and software.

      Classroom Polling using PowerPoint and “clickers.”

      Allowing students to anonymously answer questions can facilitate discussion or provide feedback in larger classes, test content mastery, and allow for the exploration of sensitive topics anonymously. A useful bibliography of papers on the disipline specific use of clickers in teaching can be found here:

      http://cft.vanderbilt.edu/docs/classroom-response-system-clickers-bibliography/.

      When you present your slideshow and arrive at an interactive polling slide, students use polling devices to vote. The radio signals from the polling devices are collected by the computer through a USB shaped radio receiver. The radio signals travel every direction so no pointing of the clickers is necessary. A green light on the polling device indicates that the vote was received. While polling is open, the last button pressed on the clicker will be the vote that counts. The slide toolbar has a count of how many clicker responses have been registered. Regular PowerPoint slides can be mixed in with the special interactive polling slides.

      Where can I get clickers?

      Three Day Loans:

      The Equipment Loan Center in Sawyer Library room 247 has a set of 30 clickers that may be borrowed for 3 days. Contact the Equipment Loan Center at 413-597-4091 and check the office hours at:

      http://oit.williams.edu/itech/resources/elc/.

      Semester Long Loans:

      Sets of clickers can be borrowed for the durration of the semester by contacting Trevor Murphy at tmurphy@williams.edu. Demand often exceeds supply, so advanced notice is required. In some cases, clickers are shared by several faculty members who have a classroom in common.

      Alternatives

      We have also been trying polling using cell phones: http://www.polleverywhere.com/.


    • Classroom PC How-To

      TurningPoint Application logo.

      TurningPoint Application

      1. Click to open the TurningPoint Cloud application on the PC.
      Do not open PowerPoint first or double click on your PowerPoint file.

      2. Create an account or sign in with your existing account.
      Use your Williams email as your id. The password can be anything you want. You will have to verify the account via email.

      Create an account or sign in.

      Create an account or sign in.

      verify email

      Verify the account via email.

       

      3. Plug in your USB receiver (looks like a thumb drive) and select PowerPoint polling.

      Select PowerPoint Polling.

      Select PowerPoint Polling.

      4. Find the TurningPoint tab in PowerPoint.

      TurningPoint Tab in PowerPoint.

      TurningPoint Tab in PowerPoint.

      5. Select new multiple choice slide.Replace the text in the title area with your question and replace the list items with the answers. Do not cut and paste.

      Select new multiple choice slide.

      Select new multiple choice slide.

      6. Mix regular PowerPoint slides in with the interactive polling slides. Save the slideshow just as you would save a regular PowerPoint slideshow.

      Save your slideshow with the PowerPoint menu option: File: Save As. Remember: The save button in the TurningPoint tool bar is only for the clicker response data, not your presentation.

      7. Start your slide show. Just start the PowerPoint slide show the way you normally would.

      8. Manage Polling: When you arrive at a polling question, the slide is open for polling. One more slide advance and the polling closes; the resulting graph is displayed. Another slide advance, and the next slide is displayed. A useful feature to be aware of is the ability to repoll a question.

      During the slide show, there is a toolbar present.

      During the slide show, there is a toolbar present.


    • Classroom Mac How-To

      TurningPoint Application logo.

      TurningPoint Application

      1. Click to open the TurningPoint Cloud application on the PC.
      Do not open PowerPoint first or double click on your PowerPoint file.

      2. Create an account or sign in with your existing account.
      Use your Williams email as your id. The password can be anything you want. You will have to verify the account from your email.

      Create an account or sign in.

      Create an account or sign in.

      verify email

      Verify the account via email.

      3. Plug in your USB receiver (looks like a thumb drive) and select PowerPoint polling.

      Select PowerPoint Polling.

      Select PowerPoint Polling.

      4. You will see PowerPoint open with a floating TurningPoint toolbar.

      Floating TurningPoint Toolbar for Mac.

      Floating TurningPoint Toolbar for Mac.

      5. Select New Multiple Choice Slide.

      Replace the text in the title area with your question and replace the list items with the answers.

      Create a new polling slide on the mac.

      Create a new polling slide on the mac.

      6. Mix regular PowerPoint slides in with the interactive polling slides. Save the slideshow just as you would save a regular PowerPoint slideshow.

      Save your slideshow with the PowerPoint menu option: File: Save As. Remember: The save button in the TurningPoint tool bar is only for the clicker response data, not your presentation.

      7. Start your slide show using ONLY the special TurningPoint Toolbar slide show start button. That is the only way to get the polling software to function.

      8. Manage Polling: When you arrive at a polling question, the slide is NOT open for polling. Use the show bar on the upper right hand side of the slide to Start and Stop polling. Once the polling is stopped, the resulting graph is displayed. A useful feature to be aware of is the ability to repoll a question. The showbar is displayed below:

      During the slide show this toolbar will be open.

      During the slide show this toolbar will be open.


    • Self Install How-To

      1. Go to https://account.turningtechnologies.com/account/ and create an account.

      Create an account or sign in.

      Create an account or sign in.

      2. Verify the account.

      verify email

      Verify the account via email.

      3. Download the software.
      For the Mac, use the “No Install Version.”
      For the PC, use the “Install Version”
      You will be presented with a screen that has a check box that asks if you want to open polling every time you open PowerPoint. I recommend checking the box.
      Check out the Classroom PC or Classroom Mac instructions to see how to use the software and hardware to create polling slides in PowerPoint.

      downloads

      which version

      Select Mac or PC software.

      install option

      Check the box to open Polling when PowerPoint is opened. It will be one less thing to worry about.


     


  • Course Video Streaming

    Streaming Video: Information

    Williams is using a new video streaming system called Kaltura for uploading, transcoding, editing, storing, managing and delivering video and audio content in a secure and auditable environment worldwide. This video service seamlessly integrates with Glow (via LTI) and enables faculty, staff and students to post and consume video inside and outside of courses with a YouTube-like player.

    The new video streaming system is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly and is a significant improvement over the previous Flash and Windows media streaming services. The prior services enabled video to be streamed but required staff involvement which greatly limited usability. The new service is easily available to all to utilize.

    Streaming Video: Documentation

    1. Kaltura Video App for Canvas
    2. Kaltura MediaSpace (to be available later)
    3. Kaltura Developer API


  • Data: Collection and Management

    Photo of Cheryl P. Handsaker
    Cheryl P. Handsaker
    Instructional Technology Developer/Project Manager
    Office for Information Technology
    Sawyer CET
    413-597-4323
    Photo of David W. Keiser-Clark
    David W. Keiser-Clark
    Academic Application Developer
    Office for Information Technology
    Sawyer CET
    413-597-3071

    The Project Group – a subgroup of Instructional Technology – plans, manages, implements, supports, and consults on a wide variety of software solutions and information technology projects. Our primary mission is in support of faculty in their academic work (both research and teaching), but our work frequently bears on the administrative realm as well. We work with established technologies and explore new ones. Our projects range from collaboration with individual faculty to development of campus-wide programs. We offer assistance to individuals and departments in researching software as a solution and we also do custom programming when there is a need but no available market solution.

    Completed and on-going projects:

    • Unbound: Williams Digital Collections – our digital repository is a place to store, organize, present and disseminate the products of the intellectual life of the College, and to preserve the history of the institution
    • Data Collection Systems – a number of systems for which we automatically collect, store and publish data. The active data collection systems are: HMF weather, Shepherds Well Wind Station, Morley PV (photovoltaic), Library Offsite PV, Building Energy Use, All-Campus Energy Use, ’66 Center PV, ’66 Center Building Camera, and ’66 Center Water.
    • Digital Field Notebooks – virtual botanical field notebooks
    • Equipment Reservations – a system for scheduling equipment reservations that enables dependencies to exist between parts and systems that require certain parts
    • Glow LMS – we support Glow with custom applications that integrate via LTI
      • Signup Sheets – provides signup sheets (with notifications) for labs, office hours, study sessions, etc.
      • Course Mail – enables sending email via GAE using Glow LMS rosters
      • Presenter View – enables full screen sharing for lecture presentation
      • People Learning Mode – offers a visual Face Book tool to learn students names
      • Dashboard – provides 24/7/365 monitoring of critical systems that support data exchange between Williams College and Instructure Canvas
      • Custom Glow Theme (UI)
    • Russian Sisters – collaborated with a faculty member to create input tools and finely detailed data visualization using charts, graphs and statistics for a century of monastic data transcribed from Cyrillic ledgers
    • Virtualization: Docker and Vagrant – Docker and Vagrant offer the ability to run software on your laptop using a virtual server. For example, we enabled the Art Department to demo the Getty Scholars Workspace using Docker installed on a portable WindowsToGo thumbdrive. Docker and Vagrant are quick, creative solutions that facilitates testing a product locally on a virtual machine without requiring a full server installation.
    • WCMA – collaborated with curators and CS department on exhibition gallery projects
      • Accession Number Exhibit kiosk – collaborated with the CS department to enable guests to curate selected images from an iPad and instantly display them on any number of display monitors mounted in an exhibition gallery
      • Kidspace: Artistic Curiosity kiosk – built web application for curators using Opera to enable users to photograph and view results of various emotional states
    • Older projects include:
      • HMF Vegetation Survey – data management and web site
      • GeoShear – a Java program to simulate and explore deformation of stone cross sections and the SeaFloor Spreading Simulator downloadable program to simulate and explore magnetic striping on the sea floor


    Unless otherwise noted, these projects are released under the Williams College Software License, Version 1
    .


  • Electronic Classrooms and Rapid Response

    Media Services team provides support to all classrooms, auditoriums and electronic classrooms. The Media Services team is available for immediate A/V help during the semester from 8 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Thursday, and 8 AM to 5 PM on Fridays.  Normal hours outside of the semester are 8-5, M-F.




  • GIS, Mapping and Data Visualization

    A Geographic Information System is like other business intelligence systems, and is comprised of technologies that support the collection, analysis and management of spatial data (i.e. geographic locations, distributions, or areas). Spatial data are information about all aspects of space, and can be connected to other business information that is routinely collected.

    Spatial relations tell us about distributions, connections, correlations, and sometimes causations between spatial data. These relationships can be compared over time to better understand changes and patterns. ​This means that GIS doesn’t just answer the question ‘where’, it can also answer the questions ‘what’, ‘who’, and ‘when’ – but most importantly it has the potential to answer the questions ‘how’ and even ‘why’.

    A Geographic Information System makes possible the creation of one or more scale models of the world that allow you to understand spatial relationships, patterns/anomalies, or phenomena not otherwise visible through direct observation alone. Refer to Wiki GIS f​or more information.​

    At Williams, GIS is supported in a dedicated lab, through the use of software, in classes, and by Instructional Technology staff.

    Who can use GIS resources? All Williams GIS resources are available to faculty, staff and students.

    Where are GIS resources located? To the degree possible, GIS resources are distributed throughout campus.

    • Jesup Hall, Room 201 (Analytics 24/7)
    • Jesup Hall, Room (new Analytics Lab)
    • Jesup Hall, Room 205 (GIS Lab – NOTE: The old GIS Lab in TBL-007 has been decommissioned)
    • Jesup Hall, Room 207*
    • Clark Hall, Room 001
    • Sawyer (CET) 269*

    How do I access GIS resources? ArcGIS and other GIS software are licensed by the college and installed on all the computer lab PCs campus wide. In addition, QuantumGIS (QGIS) is available on computer lab Macs (while ArcGIS is only available for the PC, it can be run on a Mac by creating a Windows partition with Bootcamp). *Note that Mac computers (even with dual-boot Mac or PC) may not have hardware that is compatible with some commercially available GPS and field data collection devices.

    Faculty and staff may request to have the software installed on their Williams owned machines.  Senior thesis students may request to have ArcGIS installed on their computer for the academic year.

    How do I get GIS assistance? For assistance please email Cory Campbell or call 413-597-4318.

    Other GIS Resources:

    Courses using GIS or GIS Modules

    Local Data Resources (on campus or VPN only)

    • Data from ESRI (ArcGIS), including national and global datasets for basemaps, demographics, infrastructure, etc. (\\files1\ESRIData)
    • Other basemap data specific to New England, MA, NY, CT, RI, VT and CO (\\files1\StateData)

    Ready-Made Maps

     GIS Job Announcements!



  • IDeaL Program and Strategies

    Integrating Digital Literacies (IDL) Program

    ITech Specialists work with faculty to re-imagine existing text-based assignments or create unique curricular projects for students that integrate digital skills and methods in pursuit of media scholarship and digital publishing.  Specialists will create and deliver in-class instruction to suit specific assignments or learning goals unique to the course. Depending on the complexity, Specialists may also coordinate additional support sessions outside of class, utilizing trained Student Media Consultants (SMC’s).

    IDL sessions are not just technology workshops. While often centered around a particular software or application, the sessions aim to dig deeper into the conceptual components of successful media scholarship.

    Do you have an idea you would like to discuss? Contact your ITech liaison!

    Examples or Modules to consider adopting:

    Multimedia narrative – a written script annotated in a video timeline by images audio and video.

    • Format 1: Research based, documentary -style
    • Format 2: Personal/reflective style

    Multimedia blog – a public publishing forum for text, image, audio and/or video

    Graphic Novel – understanding and creating narratives in graphic novel format

    Radio Journalism or Oral History – Audio only based research and publishing

    Recent IDeaL course project examples

    IDeaL courses for 2014 -15

    • CS 270: – script, storyboarding and video editing basics for compositing computer generated image into video and animations.
    • ENGL 364: – using InDesign for book/publication layout and printing.
    • THEA 305: – using Photoshop for costume design.
    • RLFR 101: – creating graphic novels with Comic Life.
    • ARTS 237: – 3D modeling with Rhino and 3D printing in the Makerspace
    • ENVI 302/303: – intro to GIS for planning
    • MUS 012: – appropriating media for creating mash-ups in Premiere

    IDeaL courses for 2013 -14

    • CHIN  404:  Chinese Cultural and Social Issues – creating Multimedia Narrative(video) projects.
    • ENGL 213: Radio, Radio – students engaged in broadcast journalism; recording & editing.
    • AMST 301: Theories & Methods in American Studies – creating Multimedia Narrative(video) projects.
    • MUS 111: Music Cultures of the World – Course blog site.
    • REL 104: Religious Conflict/Cooperation – creating Multimedia Narrative(video) projects.
    • AFR 323: Africana Graphic Novels – presenting research/narrative  in graphic novel format.

    IDeaL courses for 2012 – 13

    • AMST 301: Theories & Methods in American Studies – creating Multimedia Narrative(video) projects.
    • HIST 359: Presidential Leaders to 1860 – creating campaign commercials relevant to historical issues & candidates.
    • AFR 200: Introduction to Africana Studies – presenting research in graphic novel format.
    • MUS 138: Introduction to 20th Century Music – creating 60 minute radio broadcasts.
    • DANC 207: Anatomy for Movers – producing mini-documentary style videos.
    • AFR 323: Africana Graphic Novels  – presenting research in graphic novel format.
    • AFR 315: Blackness 2.0 – presenting research in graphic novel format.
    • ENGL 213: Radio, Radio – students engaged in broadcast journalism; recording & editing.
    • JAPN 102: Elementary Japanese – students re-voice dialogue to anime films; recording & editing.

    IDeaL courses for  2011-12

    • THEA 228: Self Production – using iPads and class blog site to research, write and produce a show.
    • AMST 310: Theories & Methods in American Studies – creating Multimedia Narrative(video) projects.
    • PSCI 337: Digital Political Theory – using Android tablets to collaborate and enhance discussion.
    • HIST 359: Presidential Leadership, 1776 to 1860 – creating campaign commercials relevant to historical issues & candidates.
    • AFR 316: Sacred Cinema – creating Multimedia Narrative(video) projects.
    • AFR 200: Introduction to Africana Studies – presenting research in graphic novel format.
    • DANC 207: Anatomy for Movers – producing mini-documentary style videos.
    • GERM 104: Intermediate German II – graphic novel production of written and spoken language.

    IDeaL courses for  2010-11

    • ENVI/ENGL 257: Imagining Contamination – students will use a blog to publish commentary, reflect on class topics and share research.
    • ENGL 127: Film Montage: students will dissect and reassemble footage from published films to explore the impact of editing on story telling.
    • GERM 101: Students will create graphic novels to practice written and spoken language.
    • DANC 207: Anatomy for Movers – students will have option of creating a mulitmedia narrative (video) as their final project/presentation
    • RUSS 252: Continuing Russian – students will use the multimedia narrative format to relate a personal story in Russian.

  • Makerspace

    cet-makerspaceThe makerspace has its own site at https://williamsmakerspace.wordpress.com

    The makerspace in the CET is a place to make the digital world real. With a 3D printer, 3D scanner and a variety of software and hardware tools it’s staffed by students who can assist with printing, or help you learn how to develop your own models and projects.

    Who can use it?
    The makerspace and equipment is available to any member of the Williams community. If you’d like your class to incorporate 3D printing into your course, please contact your ITech liaison in advance so we can schedule the equipment.

    How do I access it?
    For students that are unfamiliar with the technology, the best way to start a project is to stop by when the room is open and talk to one of the student staff. Faculty and staff can also contact Jonathan Leamon (jleamon@williams.edu) with any questions.

    Where is it located?
    The makerspace is in the CET room 242, on the second floor of Sawyer library

    How do I get help?
    There are FAQ’s and other help documentation available on the makerspace’s website, or stop by the room when it’s open. You can also contact Jonathan Leamon.


  • Media Services

    The primary mission of Media Services/Classroom Support is to develop, implement and support multimedia presentation systems in classrooms and in large presentation spaces such as Chapin Hall, Brooks Rogers Auditorium and Griffin 3. In addition, we assist with the planning and development of technology needs for a wide variety of campus events and aslo assist with the use of the CET recording studio.

    Photo of Philip Remillard
    Philip Remillard
    Media Services Manager
    Office for Information Technology
    Sawyer CET
    413-597-4519
    Photo of Michael S. Amann
    Michael S. Amann
    Classroom Technology Specialist
    Office for Information Technology
    Sawyer CET
    413-597-4294
    Photo of Patrick J. Gray Jr.
    Patrick J. Gray Jr.
    Events, Classroom, and Studio Support Specialist
    Office for Information Technology
    Sawyer CET
    413-597-3073
    Photo of Lynna Jackson
    Lynna Jackson
    Computer Labs and Software Administrator
    Office for Information Technology
    Jesup Hall
    413-597-2092
    Photo of Jim Lillie
    Jim Lillie
    Equipment Loan Center Coordinator
    Office for Information Technology
    Sawyer CET
    413-597-4091

  • Music Composition Room - Sawyer Library

    The Music Composition room is Sawyer 274.

    What is it?
    The room is equipped with a computer workstation with hardware and software for audio manipulation, synthesis, and sequencing. The software includes Studio One, ProTools, Komplete, Max, Ableton Live, and WaveLab Elements.

    Who can use it?
    Faculty, staff, and students can use the room from 9 to 5 during weekdays, or during Sawyer Library hours once they receive training.

    There is a piano in there, can I just play piano?
    No, the piano is a midi device without speakers. It sends data to the computer. With some training, you can learn to route the signals from the piano keyboard to software where sounds can be assigned to the notes and that output can be routed to the speakers or headphones. It is not as simple as turning it on and playing.

    How do I access it?
    Reserve the space in EMS once it becomes available. Allow 24 hours advance notice for support.

    How do I get help?
    Request help from Trevor Murphy. Several student workers who are trained as Student Media Consultants will also be able to support the space.


  • Student Media Consultants (SMC’s)

    Student Media Consultants (SMCs) help Williams College community members with the creation of audio, video, and print media in the new Sawyer Library (2nd level CET area). SMCs develop their media production skills through active learning and training. SMCs also partner with Integrating Digital Literacies (IDL) courses by assisting students tasked with assignments that have a technology component.

    SMCs are generally available when classes are in session from 10am to 12pm Monday through Friday, 2pm to 5pm Sunday through Friday, and 7pm to 10pm Sunday through Thursday. For Current Hours.


  • Studio 275 (Video/Audio Production)
    • About

      tricast-green-screenThe Media Production Studio, or “Studio 275″ is a fully functioning recording facility for video, audio and music recording. Amenities include a three camera video studio complete with lighting, blue/green screen and live editing capabilities, and audio isolation booth for voice recording.

      Who can use it?
      Studio 275 is available to faculty, staff, and students.

      How do I access it?
      Available by reservation in advance. Please fill out this form to begin your request.

      Where is it located?
      Studio 275 is located in the “Production Zone” area of the CET, level 2 of the new Sawyer Library.

       

    • Lightboard/Green Screen Projects

      What is it?

      Lightboard is a piece of transparent glass illuminated with LED lights. Instructors facing the camera while also writing on the board are recorded at the same time. We started this project to experiment new ways of lecture recording. More examples of Lightboard at Williams are on Youtube. More about Lightboard at Educause.








  • Video Conferencing Facilities and Support

    The Video Conference room is a 20-seat conference room with high-definition teleconferencing equipment allowing room-to-room communication with similarly equipped facilities at remote locations.

    Who can use it?
    The video conferencing room will be available to faculty, staff, and students.

    How do I access it?
    The room is available by reservation only. We recommend making reservations two weeks in advance. It can be used with the assistance of an operator, or with advance training. Call Media Services at x2112.

    Where is it located?
    The facility is in Stetson room #308, on the entrance level of Sawyer Library.

    How do I get help?
    Links to more information are below, or call Media Services at x2112.

    More information
    The new video conferencing room at the Center for Educational Technology provides high definition connections among participants that promote a high quality level of video presence. The video conferencing room will be available to faculty, staff, and students.

    Past academic uses of video conferencing at Williams have included our professors team-teaching with professors in Finland, Australia, Tel Aviv and Cairo; students taking oral exams in Arabic with a professor at Emory University; a Japanese professor and her students chatting with people in Japan; and professors collaborating and sharing work with faculty at other institutions.

    Locating our new high definition video conferencing facility near the offices of media services specialists means that OIT staff are readily available to help ensure a successful videoconferencing experience. An additional benefit of this facility is that information technologists, librarians, and other professional staff will be able to connect with colleagues at other institutions without having to leave campus.


  • Workshops, Tutorials & Training
    ITS staff are available to help with individual faculty or class support for academic software programs and Glow LMS. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss training, please email its@williams.edu.

    For Media Scholarship for classes, please check the IDeaL Program and Strategies link.

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