Support Policies
The mission of Instructional Media Services (IMS) is to support academic instruction. This is done by providing instructional equipment and support services for classroom instruction, by providing access to and distribution of instructional materials, and by working to improve classrooms to make them more conducive to learning.
DIVISION: Academic Information Services
UNIT: Instructional Media Services
DATE: 24 May 2006
PURPOSE: To inform the public of policies related to the instructional equipment provided by Instructional Media Services (IMS).
APPLICABILITY: NMU faculty and students
POLICY:
On Campus Instructional Spaces:
IMS provides instructional equipment and support services to all on-campus instructional spaces. Instructional spaces include labs, lecture halls, distance learning, and general purpose classrooms. All instructional spaces provide internet access for the instructor and students, and contain an overhead transparency projector and at least one pull-down screen. All lecture halls are equipped for sound amplification. Any other equipment needed in an on-campus instructional space will be delivered when scheduled with IMS at least 48 hours in advance. All reservations must include a course ID number. If the booked equipment is for recording, instructors must supply their own blank media. Instructors not familiar with the operation of equipment supplied with a room should schedule an appointment with IMS staff outside the scheduled class time in order to learn how to properly use the equipment.
IMS provides instructional equipment to all on-campus general purpose classrooms, i.e., spaces normally scheduled for class meetings by the Registration and Scheduling Office. General purpose classrooms contain a variety of permanently installed equipment. A complete list can be found by clicking on the link called "locate classrooms for specific furnishings and equipment needs "on the IMS homepage. More than half of NMU general purpose classrooms contain permanently-mounted ceiling LCD projectors used for projecting images from laptops and DVD / VHS combo players.
Because of their particular vulnerability to theft, portable camcorders require special precautions. Normally, an IMS student assistant will arrive at least five minutes before the scheduled end of the session to pick up the camcorder. If the recording session ends earlier than scheduled, the camcorder must not be left unattended at the end of class. IMS should be notified. If the faculty member does not want to wait for the IMS pick-up, he/she may return the camcorder directly to the IMS office with a half hour of the scheduled end of the class. Faculty may also make arrangements ahead of time to pick up and return the camcorder directly from / to the IMS office, again within half an hour of the scheduled class time.
Off-campus instructional spaces:
Off-campus instructional spaces and extension sites contain no standard instructional equipment supported or supplied by IMS. After completing a loan form, an instructor may borrow some types of equipment from IMS to use in an off-campus classroom. Equipment must be reserved at least 48 hours before the use date. The faculty member is responsible for IMS equipment charged in his/her name. IMS does not provide support personnel and delivery of equipment to off-campus classrooms. The instructor must pick up equipment at the IMS office during service hours. The faculty member is responsible for operation of the equipment in the off-campus classroom; therefore it is recommended that an appointment be made with IMS staff prior to the use date to be shown how the equipment is used. Equipment may be returned to the IMS office or the Olson Library Circulation Desk. Equipment can also be delivered to and picked up from the instructor’s on-campus office if arrangements are made at least 48 hours in advance.
Equipment loans to students:
Instructional equipment may be loaned to a student to complete a course-related assignment. The student must pick up the equipment in person at the IMS office supplying the IMS staff with current Wildcat Express card and course I.D. A loan form needs to be signed by the student. The equipment must be returned to the Circulation desk by 9:00AM the following morning.
DIVISION: Academic Information Services
UNIT: Instructional Media Services (IMS)
DATE: 24 May 2006
PURPOSE: To state policies related to instructional media materials housed in NMU Olson Library collections.
APPLICABILITY: These policies apply to NMU students, faculty and staff, and to Courtesy Card patrons.
POLICY:
Media Collection:
Olson Library maintains collections of instructional media to support the curriculum. All items in the collection, with the exception of individual slides, are included in Olson Library’s online catalog and located in the Media Collection on the top floor of Olson Library. In addition, these items are searchable using the "locate videos" located on the IMS homepage. The "locate videos" is a comprehensive database containing only NMU videotapes and DVDs. These materials may be borrowed by NMU students, faculty and staff, and by Courtesy Card patrons. Borrowing policies are maintained by the Circulation department. With at least 48 hours notice, instructors and students may request that materials be delivered directly to their on-campus instructional space or department office.
IMS staff provide an ‘alert’ service to faculty interested in expanding holdings of instructional materials. Vendors’ catalogs are routinely examined to find items of specific interest within the curriculum, and faculty are informed.
Slide Collection:
The individual slide collection is located in the IMS office and is available during office hours, with staff assistance. For a thorough search of the slide collection, it is recommended that an appointment be made with IMS professional staff. These items are searchable using the "locate slides" located on the IMS homepage. The "locate slides" is a comprehensive database containing only NMU 35MM slides. These materials may be borrowed by NMU students, faculty and staff. Courtesy Card patrons may only check out cataloged slides. Borrowing policies are maintained by the Circulation department. With at least 48 hours notice, instructors and students may request that materials be delivered directly to their on-campus instructional space or department office.
Rentals:
Materials not included in the Olson Library Media Collection may be available for rent from the collections of other universities or commercial vendors. Materials from rental collections must be requested at least two weeks in advance. They must be ordered and paid for by the academic department from which the instructor is associated with. An IMS supervisor will assist in searching for rental sources.
Previews:
Previews of materials being considered for purchase are encouraged, and can be arranged by IMS. Costs associated with previews are borne by the requesting department, with the exception of return postage which is paid by IMS. Purchase of appropriate materials can be requested from Olson Library by accessing the "request media to be purchased" link on the IMS homepage.
Materials on Reserve:
An instructor's own materials or those included in the Olson Library Media Collection can be placed On Reserve, i.e., library use only, at the Circulation desk following the procedures used for print materials. Equipment for viewing or listening to most pre-recorded materials is available in the IMS service area of the Library.
DIVISION: Academic Information Services
UNIT: Instructional Media Services (IMS)
DATE: 24 May 2006
PURPOSE: To state the provisions for assistance provided by IMS staff.
APPLICABILITY: NMU faculty and students
POLICY:
To instructors and students:
IMS staff will deliver reserved equipment and/or materials to NMU on-campus instructional spaces. Reservations must be made at least 48 hours before time of delivery, and must include a course ID number.
IMS staff will provide personal instruction about how to operate installed and/or portable IMS equipment, including instruction in how to record classroom presentations using a camcorder. If a complex, or unfamiliar, set-up is required, IMS recommends that an appointment be made before the presentation date to test the equipment in the classroom. IMS assistance related to laptop computers is limited to projecting sound and image from NMU laptops through IMS equipment. The Help Desk at Academic Computing provides assistance related to the use of laptop software and hardware.
Any problems or questions about instructional environments can be directed to IMS. The online link from the IMS homepage is a recommended method of communicating problems with instructional equipment and furnishings.
To academic departments:
IMS staff will transport University-tagged departmental equipment requiring repair to and from Electronic Maintenance. Repair costs will be charged to the department by the Engineering Department of the Learning Resources Division.
DIVISION: Academic Information Services
UNIT: Instructional Media Services (IMS)
DATE: 24 May 2006
PURPOSE: To state the provisions for furnishings for instructional spaces.
APPLICABILITY: NMU faculty and students
POLICY: Instructors and students can report problems with instructional furnishings. The link from the IMS homepage called "report problems with classroom equipment and furnishings" is a preferred means of communicating problems with furnishings. IMS staff will forward the complaints to the appropriate individuals in Facilities.
The purchase of new furnishings is basically done on an "as needed" basis and within budgetary constraints in conjunction with Purchasing . Suggestions for future purchases are always welcome.
REFERENCES: AIS Academic Computing Policies, Olson Library Circulation Policies
