Difference between revisions of "Controlling Workstations (Italc)"
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− | The ability for an instructor in one glance to view all student activity can be very useful: | + | :The ability for an instructor in one glance to view all student activity can be very useful: |
− | :* Check to see if students are having problems | + | ::* Check to see if students are having problems |
− | :* Monitor the progress of all of the students | + | ::* Monitor the progress of all of the students |
− | :* Check to ensure that students are not distracted (eg. "surfing the Net instead of creating a Word-processing document). | + | ::* Check to ensure that students are not distracted (eg. "surfing the Net instead of creating a Word-processing document). |
− | :* Ability to view while sitting-down and not "hovering over students' workstations | + | ::* Ability to view while sitting-down and not "hovering over students' workstations |
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===== Focus on a Particular Student Account ===== | ===== Focus on a Particular Student Account ===== | ||
− | In order to focus on a specific student's desktop (account), simply point on the workstation, and double-click. | + | :In order to focus on a specific student's desktop (account), simply point on the workstation, and double-click. |
− | There are some advantages for the teacher to use this strategy: | + | :There are some advantages for the teacher to use this strategy: |
− | :* Allow the student to demonstrate with instructor watching (without "hovering" over workstation) | + | ::* Allow the student to demonstrate with instructor watching (without "hovering" over workstation) |
− | :* Provides a method to have a student demonstrate a technique or skill, and allow other students to view data display projection to learn, then practice technique on their own workstation. | + | ::* Provides a method to have a student demonstrate a technique or skill, and allow other students to view data display projection to learn, then practice technique on their own workstation. |
− | :* Instructor has control over the student's mouse pointer (in addition to the student) to help guide the student in learning | + | ::* Instructor has control over the student's mouse pointer (in addition to the student) to help guide the student in learning |
'''SUGGESTION: It is recommended for the instructor to guide, not necessarily take full control away from the student while they are learning...''' | '''SUGGESTION: It is recommended for the instructor to guide, not necessarily take full control away from the student while they are learning...''' | ||
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− | The instructor can lock all student workstations. | + | :The instructor can lock all student workstations. |
− | Usually, this is a technique that can be used when an instructor wants students not to become distracted while an important lesson or announcement is made that requires full student attention. | + | :Usually, this is a technique that can be used when an instructor wants students not to become distracted while an important lesson or announcement is made that requires full student attention. |
− | It is a common fact that students can become distracted when having access to a computer. Although many "games" have been removed from the student's accounts, they may still be distracted by the web-browser ("surfing the Net:). | + | :It is a common fact that students can become distracted when having access to a computer. Although many "games" have been removed from the student's accounts, they may still be distracted by the web-browser ("surfing the Net:). |
===== Full Screen / Windowed Demo ===== | ===== Full Screen / Windowed Demo ===== | ||
− | Unfortunately, Locking all student computer accounts (discussed above) may "force" the students to focus their attention to the data display projection. | + | :Unfortunately, Locking all student computer accounts (discussed above) may "force" the students to focus their attention to the data display projection. |
− | On the other hand, an instructor can select "Full Screen Demo" in order to broadcast the instructor's desktop to all of the students' workstation monitors. | + | :On the other hand, an instructor can select "Full Screen Demo" in order to broadcast the instructor's desktop to all of the students' workstation monitors. |
− | In this way, students will not become distracted, and have the option to either view their screen or the data display projection. | + | :In this way, students will not become distracted, and have the option to either view their screen or the data display projection. |
− | When the instructor turns-off the Full Screen Demo, then control is restored back to the students, to practice their learned skills. | + | :When the instructor turns-off the Full Screen Demo, then control is restored back to the students, to practice their learned skills. |
− | '''SUGGESTION: Studies have shown that students relate better to a combination of theory and practice. An instructor can break down curriculum into a series of "micro-teaching" sessions, followed by "Practice-Time" or a project.''' | + | :'''SUGGESTION: Studies have shown that students relate better to a combination of theory and practice. An instructor can break down curriculum into a series of "micro-teaching" sessions, followed by "Practice-Time" or a project.''' |
Revision as of 14:57, 12 June 2011
Contents
WARNING
Prior to using Italc, you need to have permission to use the computer lab, have taken a computer lab training course, and know how to properly start up the computer lab, and start all workstations.
Please contact AVIT for computer training.
Introduction / Purpose
Italc is a program to allow a teacher (from a server) to control all of the student workstations. This program is open-source and can work in the Linux and MS Windows environment. This application is well-suited for computer labs using LTSP (Linux Terminal Server Project).
The main purpose of this tool is to allow the instructor to teach and assist students from their workstations in an efficient manner.
YouTube Video
- If you want to see the visual steps for "Powering Up Computer Lab", here is a link to a customized YouTube video:
Written Instructions
- Below are the written instructions (in case you prefer to have a printout of these procedures):
Before Starting Italc
In order to use the Italc application to manage computer workstations, it is assumed that you correctly followed the procedures to startup the computer lab.
Here is a link to Start-Up Procedures for the Computer Lab:
- Written Startup Instructions: [ How to Power Up Computer lab ]
- YouTube Video Instructions: [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTE0e_hH3tE ]
It is assumed that you have logged into the computer server as the "teacher" account prior to using the Italc application.
Launching Italc Application
To launch the Italc application, double-click on the Manage Workstations icon.
You may be prompted to enter the same password that you used to log into the teacher account.
The application window will appear, and display the current computer workstation configuration (refer diagram at the top of this wiki for reference):
- Workstation resembles a "horse-shoe" pattern.
- Top left workstation is workstation #1.
- Workstations increase in number as you move around the horse-shoe.
- The last workstation on the bottom right is workstation #7.
NOTE: For best results, the teacher should log in ALL computer accounts during the computer lab session.
- For example, use:
- jamm1 -> jamm7 accounts for workstation #1 -> workstation #7
- studio1 -> studio7 accounts for workstation #1 -> workstation #7
NOTE: If you do NOT intend to use the data display projector for the computer session, you still need to run the Italc program, and restart the Data Display Projector in order to quickly log-out student accounts, power-down the workstations, and to power-down the computer server...
Useful Features of Italc
There are many features that the Italc application provides in the Computer Lab learning environment including:
Viewing all student Activity
|
Focus on a Particular Student Account
- In order to focus on a specific student's desktop (account), simply point on the workstation, and double-click.
- There are some advantages for the teacher to use this strategy:
- Allow the student to demonstrate with instructor watching (without "hovering" over workstation)
- Provides a method to have a student demonstrate a technique or skill, and allow other students to view data display projection to learn, then practice technique on their own workstation.
- Instructor has control over the student's mouse pointer (in addition to the student) to help guide the student in learning
SUGGESTION: It is recommended for the instructor to guide, not necessarily take full control away from the student while they are learning...
Lock all Student Computer Accounts
Full Screen / Windowed Demo
|
Log-off and Power Down all Workstations
Resources
- Italc User Manual: [ pdf ]
- Main Italc website: [ html ]
- Additional Italc Youtube video (overview): [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbMnpYRybcM ]