CHASS

Instructional Technology: Tools to Improve Education

Instructional Technology serves as a powerful tool designed to assist and enhance the educational process for both faculty and students. These technologies are revolutionizing the curriculum for classroom teaching as well as self-learning.

To learn more about the instructional technology resources available at UC Riverside, select a link below.

• Basic Statistics for Social Sciences Digital Textbook The Basic Statistics for Social Sciences Digital Textbook was jointly developed by Professor of Sociology Robert Hanneman and CHASS for the Sociology 110B course. It is the first utilization of digital and multimedia technology for instructional purposes and features text, audio and video demonstrations. It is free to eligible users with internet access, or can be purchased at a nominal cost from the UCR Campus Store.
• Chinese the Easy Way - Language Online Learning Tool The Chinese the Easy Way Language Online Learning Tool is an advanced way to distribute the critical audio practice component to beginning or first-year level Chinese students. The site allows digital audio files to replace analog media such as tapes, and provides round-the-clock availability to students through the internet.
• Digital Media Servers The Digital Media Servers hosted by CHASS are a free service that provides storage space for faculty and student works. The servers allow materials to be accessed by remote users, making possible the distribution of VHS, DVD, CD and other digital media to any location with internet access. For more information, contact James Lin at james.lin@ucr.edu or at 2-5031.
• Faculty Computer Replacement Program Faculty members are eligible for replacement of computers used for research, teaching and service every four years. Departments work with faculty to prioritize needs and order replacement equipment and ensure that basic standards for hardware and software are observed.
• Foreign Languages Computing Lab The Foreign Languages Computing Lab is located in HMNSS 1614 and operated by the Comparative Literature and Foreign Languages Department. It is available for open student access Monday through Friday from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Other hours are reserved for language instruction and testing.
• iClassroom Also known as Smart Classrooms, UC Riverside features 70 general assignment iClassrooms that feature a broad range of presentation equipment, including DVD and SVHS players, high-resolution LCD projectors and internet access. Larger lecture halls include wireless microphone systems, computers, and audience response receivers. A map containing a list of campus smart classrooms is available.
• iGrade iGrade is the university’s web-based grade submission system. Faculty may submit grades directly into the campus Student Information System. Other tools include the ability to view class rosters on the web, perform online edit checks.
• iLearn/Blackboard Blackboard/iLearn is a comprehensive course management system for web-based, on-line academic classes. The iLearn Web site is hosted by UCR Computing and Communications and has resources, training, tutorials and FAQ’s.
• iShare iShare is a Web-based, file storage and sharing system available to all faculty at UCR.
• iTeach Promoting the university’s dedication to innovative pedagogy and enhanced student engagement, the iTeach Web site provides instructional tools, techniques, and services to faculty and instructors at UCR. The site contains information about resources, including the Hyperstruction Studio, flex classrooms, and Clickers technology.
• iViews The iViews portal contains personalized and customized content, including commonly used features and links
• Multimedia Technologies Group The Multimedia Technologies Group delivers, installs and retrieves multimedia equipment throughout the campus. Equipment is available to departments and registered campus organizations. Technicians deliver, set-up and provide instruction about the operation of equipment, and then retrieve the equipment at the close of the event. Technical assistance is available on a recharge (fee) basis.
• Psychology Instruction Labs The Psychology Instruction Labs are a pair of computing labs dedicated to the Department of Psychology for both undergraduate and graduate instruction. The labs equipped with various software that are required for psychology courses.
• Public Computer Labs UCR features six public computer labs that are open approximately 285 hours during the week. These labs can be reserved by faculty for classes.
• Smart Classrooms The Smart Classrooms site makes it easy to find available smart classroom space.
• Statistical Consulting Collaboratory Located in Sproul Hall, the Statistical Consulting Collaboratory is a fee-based consulting service that aids academic research, private businesses and individuals and serves as a training center for graduate students.
• Videoconferencing/Distance Learning UCR’s Videoconferencing/Distance Learning service allows for live, interactive two-way audio/video connection between to separate locations. Faculty, staff and students can participate in meetings occurring anywhere that has IP- or ISDN-based connections. Capabilities include full-motion video, graphics, audio, integrated computer-based presentation, VCR playback and recording and the ability to link up to four conference sites.
• UCR Wireless Network The UC Riverside Wireless Network allows faculty, staff and students access to the internet from virtually anywhere on campus. With nearly 500 wireless access points, it is easy to escape the confines of an office and still have internet access.
• Webmail UC Riverside’s Webmail system allows for access to your UCR e-mail from any internet connection in the world.
• Web Hosting Faculty members at UC Riverside receive free Web hosting of research and instructional pages. Pages are hosted by UCR Computing and Communications.

Research Technology: Staying on the Cutting Edge

UC Riverside prides itself on fusing teaching and research excellence. Research Technology is an integral component of the research university commitment to the creation and transmission of knowledge at the highest level, and to the translation of that knowledge for the public good.

We provide programs and services to assist students and faculty with their research needs. Listed are resources and facilities, leading the college’s research experience.

• Arts/Multimedia Laboratory The Arts/Multimedia Laboratory provides access to high-quality hardware, software and support for faculty and students working with sound, image, moving image data and film script writing. Located in Arts Building 311, it features 18 workstations. For more information or support, contact Mark Nicolay via e-mail, or at 2-3555.
• Campus Research Technology Policy The Campus Research Technology Policy states the overall vision for campus research technology development. The policy helps ensure that technological support meets the needs of our faculty and students.
• Digital Media Exchange/Storage Servers The Digital Media Servers hosted by CHASS are a free service that provides storage space for faculty and student works. The servers allow materials to be accessed by remote users, making possible the distribution of VHS, DVD, CD and other digital media to any location with internet access. For more information, contact James Lin via e-mail or at 2-5031.
• Geographical Information Systems (GIS) The Geographical Information Systems is a database and mapping application that allows researchers to examine and analyze information spatially. The campus supports ESRI’s ARC software system, which is available at low cost to campus users. The GIS Web site features information about GIS systems provided by Computing and Communications, low cost training from UCR University Extension and free or low cost data sets and maps that can be helpful teaching tools.
• Statistical Consulting Collaboratory Located in Sproul Hall, the Statistical Consulting Collaboratory is a fee-based consulting service that aids academic research, private businesses and individuals and serves as a training center for graduate students.
• Survey Research Center The Survey Research Center makes it possible to compile data from telephone interviews and make basic results available immediately. For information on the lab, contact Professor Martin Johnson via e-mail or at 2-4612. For technical issues, contact James Lin via e-mail or at 2-5031.

Administrative Technology: Helping People Get the Job Done

Administrative technology refers to the infrastructure and tools that allow CHASS staff to work effectively and efficiently. The e-business technology provides services that allow administrators to lead, faculty to excel at teaching and students to maximize their educational opportunities.

To learn more about the administrative technology resources available at UC Riverside, select a link below.

• Business Administration Application Workshop Enrollment and Administration Utilizing the CHASS Conference Registration Support program developed by C3, this allows students to enroll in and administrators to oversee the Business Administration Application Workshop.
• CHASS Connect Enrollment System Utilizing the CHASS Conference Registration Support program developed by C3, this allows students to enroll in the CHASS Connect program.
• CHASS Intranet The CHASS intranet provides a single entry access to all web based applications developed by C3 and Computing and Communications. The network can be accessed from all over the world, but is limited to CHASS administrative personnel Conference Registration Support Developed by C3, this Web-based database program allows visitors to register for conference events. The program ha supported several conference registrations with successful results, and the model has been applied to CHASS Connect enrollment and pre-Business orientation registration
• Contract and Proposal Tracking The system enables units and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research to share information about the status of transactions and to make relevant documents such as contracts, guidelines, tracking and transaction information available,
• Department/Center/Program Web pages Maximizing technical efficiency by using a common Web server, standardized file structures, page templates and a staff of carefully selected and trained student interns, C3 works to enhance and support the Web presence of departments, centers and programs within CHASS. The program was awarded a Larry L. Sautter Award for Achievement in University Computing by the UC system in 2003.
• e-Calendaring The UCR e-Calendar system allows users to schedule events, view other’s calendars, request meetings, and schedule spaces and equipment. Most of the College’s offices use the system, which is free to all faculty and staff members of UCR.
• Event Calendaring The College calendar is integrated into the University’s event calendar system, The Calendar helps to publicize activities, conference and events for more than 20 departments, centers and programs.
• File Servers and Business Information Organization File Servers and Business Information Organization ensures that the data used for administrative work are secure from hacking and intrusion are backed up on a regular basis, and abide by legislation requiring strong safeguards on personal information. Information is located on fast central file servers in the Computing and Communications secure machine room.
• Graduate Program Recruiting Support Utilizing proven ideas of Customer Relations Management, Graduate Program Recruiting Support helps the College increase the numbers and qualifications of graduate students by providing an ideal first point of contact with potential students. This database-driven system allows departments and the college to share data about prospective students, review status of their applications and provide information to support faculty recruiting efforts, processes of admission and financial aid admissions.
• Graduation Exit Online Survey Administration The Graduation Exit Online Survey Administration program simplifies the process of student exit surveys for students graduating from a department within CHASS.
• Knowledge Base e-Services The Knowledge Base e-services provide students with access to basic online information services, such as the Major Requirements Self-Guided Tour and Foreign Language Placement Test enrollment. These improve the quality of service to students and reduce the burden on staff. Mandatory Student E-mail/Webmail UC Riverside students are responsible for providing the University with a functional e-mail address and for using e-mail for official campus communications. Departments may use electronic communication tools for official business, dramatically increasing the speed and reducing the cost of mandatory communications with students.
• Online Application for Graduation Students within the college and CHASS Student Academic Affairs Office staff and departments interact with the Online Application for Graduation program through a common Web browser. Certain manual processes have been automated through the system.
• Scheduling Support Scheduling Support was created by C3 for the Department of Comparative Literature and Foreign Languages to allow students to register online for exams and classes with limited seating, such as foreign language placement exams. The program has been successful in reducing paperwork and hassle for department staff.
• Research Grants Administration System The Research Grants Administration System allows CHASS administrators to oversee the grants process for faculty.
• Student Advising Appointment System The system allows the College’s students to make appointments with their academic advisors online.
• Social Sciences Certificate Administration System The Social Sciences Certificate Administration System allows department administrators to oversee the status of students in the subject matter preparation program.
• Staff Computer Replacement and Standardization The Staff Computer Replacement and Standardization program works to aid staff and departments in properly upgrading their computers. Departments work with faculty to prioritize needs and order replacement equipment and ensure that basic standards for hardware and software are observed.

Technologies in development

• Facility Online Reservation and Management System The Facility Online Reservation and Management System simplifies the task of managing facility reservation requests. It allows administrators to manage facilities and related supports, while simplifying the process of reserving a room. The system removes the paperwork and bookkeeping while retaining communications between facility administrators and requestors for tracing purposes.
• Other Programs in Development

  Faculty Office Hours Online Appointment System

  Research Opportunities Management System

  Online Timesheet System

  Student Academic Affairs e-Portal

  Student Professional Career Development Management System

Previously Developed, Initiated or Used Technologies

• Graduate Program Financial Aid Planning Support The Graduate Program Financial Aid Planning Support assists with the management of planning of graduate student financial aid. Computing and Communications has been undertaking development of this program since 2004.
• Academic Personnel Review Systems Simplifies the process of academic personnel file management by enhancing communication between the College and departments for review and revision of documents. It allows for the highest possible security of these documents. It has been estimated that this method has eliminated over 10,000 pages of paper a year in the College office alone.
• Online Distribution of Registration PINs The online distribution of Registration PINs has provided a significant improvement in student services by eliminating waiting time.
• Credit-Card Server The College initiated the needs of a credit card server, which permits people to make safe and secure credit-card payments to campus accounts that are authorized to receive them.

UC Riverside’s Computing and Communications (C&C) provides information technology and communications services to the whole campus. Whether it is learning to minimize spam, communications management, or the application of new technologies, C&C can help. Select a link below to learn more about the services offered by C&C.

• Faculty Computing and Communications Services C&C enhances the quality and quantity of research, instruction and service provided by the University. Information on a variety of subjects is available on the C&C Faculty Services site.
• Staff Computing and Communication Services C&C manages a variety of services that help staff members do their jobs quickly and efficiently. They provide a multitude of services, including voice and data communications services, desktop computer services, multimedia technologies support and graphic and Web development. Information on these services is available through the Staff Computing and Communication Services site.
• Student Computing and Communication Services The services offered by C&C expand and enrich the educational opportunities for UCR students. From the iLearn learning management system to the on-campus wireless network, C&C is a great resource for students. Learn more at the Student Computing and Communication Services site.
• Virus Updates and Warnings Stay on top of the latest reports of harmful software and malware on the C&C Virus Updates and Warnings.
• UCR Enterprise Access Request System The Enterprise Access Control System allows for single sign-on for a variety of programs that faculty and staff use to conduct campus business. Access to the system is granted by System Access Administrators (SAA). Learn more at the UCR Enterprise System Access Request site.
• UCR C&C Policies and Guidelines Computing and Communications has assembled a set of policies and guidelines to help faculty, staff and students properly utilize and understand University technological resources. The information is available on the Policies and Guidelines page.