Santiago Canyon College
Technology Committee Meeting
April Minutes
Time: 2:30-4:00 pm
Date: 4/29/10
Location: L-115
Present: Cindy Swift, Jane Francis, Scott James, Alice Ho, Curt Childress, Ali Abuhamba, and Corinna Evett
Roles: Chair – Curt Childress
Objectives
Note Taker – C. Swift, J. Francis, A. Ho, and C. Evett
Newsletter, New Technology News, SCC & SAC Tech Meeting, TAG, Multimedia Club, Training
Center Advocacy, Advocacy Topics, Other
Meeting Discussion / Decisions:
1. Newsletter
 The latest issue published on April 24 was well received. Juan read the article on eBooks.
 Due date for the fall newsletter is not yet determined.
Proposed Newsletter Articles for Fall
 Email compatible with mobile devices -- Scott wants to wait to hear the latest from TAG
 Widescreen projectors in the new science center -- Curt
 Resolved Advocacy Item: Issue alphabetizing imported rosters -- Problem ticket submitted to BB, Scott
also explained a quick fix
 Blackboard tutorials: Faculty & Students -- Scott
 A student's perspective: Blackboard Do's and Don'ts -- Ali
 Datatel updates -- Sylvia
 Updates on Website: Surveys & Video -- Don Busche
 Computer Tip: Easy way to make hard to decode passwords
2. New Technology News
Curt introduced two devices from N-Computing: L230 and L350.
 These devices enable IT to deploy multiple virtual desktops with full functionality while
maintaining only one PC.
 The monitor, keyboard and mouse are connected to the device, which is then connected to the
shared PC.
 It would drastically reduce computer costs since the device only costs around $200. SAC has
implement L350 in the computer lab.
Google Email –
 Google provides free email account with college extension for higher education.
 Some colleges such as USC use this service.
 Benefits of this service were discussed: IT doesn’t have to maintain student email; some
vendors
 such as Microsoft ask students to provide college email account to get educational discount.
 From a student’s perspective, Ali didn’t think it’s worth the effort since students can get free
email
 accounts already.
Blackboard –

Some students complained that instructors didn’t keep the information in Blackboard up to
date.
Santiago Canyon College


Curt mentioned that students aren’t aware of the Blackboard tutorial online. Maybe a link to
the tutorial can be added.
Scott mentioned that he has created several Blackboard tutorials for instructors.
WebAdvisor –
 Some problems have been fixed by the recent patch.
 Scott attended the WebAdvisor meeting and shared the list of enhancement requests.
3. SCC & SAC Tech Meeting
 Scott shared a list of Web Advisor Enhancement Priorities.
4. TAG


TAG approved the District Strategic Technology Plan.
Sylvia presented the plan to the Board last Monday. She also gave an update on the Datatel.
5. Multimedia Club
o Nothing new to report.
6. Training Center Advocacy
 Tabled again until we get an Administrator on our committee and until we see what direction TAG
will take when approaching this topic.
7. Advocacy Topics
 Has RSCCD considered Google Apps for Educators? This is a free service to higher-ed institutions
and includes Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Talk, Google Docs, Google Sites, and Google Video
for Education.
8. Other
 None
Meeting adjourned before 4:00 pm
Next Meeting: Date: 5/13/10
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Distribution: Technology Committee Members
Location: L-115