Automating Teacher Recommendation Forms

The technology team recently debugged issues with the teacher recommendation forms used in the college application process.  Teachers were experiencing many software-related issues and generating tickets to correct a malfunction in the PDF file.  In conjunction with College Counseling, technology office team reviewed the existing system, analyzed potential solutions, and created an automated process to address the issue.  The system combines the use of Google Forms, Google Spreadsheets, Google Docs, and Gmail. Teachers submit a Google form, a script creates a Google doc in the correct format, generates a PDF, and emails it as an attachment to both the teacher and college counselors. A final form is automatically saved in Google Drive and the information is stored in a Google Spreadsheet.

New Faculty Technology Training

New faculty are on boarded each summer, which includes training with the various instructional technology systems on campus.  One way to ensure they are comfortable with technology in the classroom is to enroll them as students in a Google Classroom class beginning as early as July.  The new faculty members receive a list of "assignments" or tasks to complete, as they approach their arrival on campus and beyond.  This new faculty class is team-taught by Lorry Perry, Dean of Faculty, Gwyneth Connell, Dean of Teaching and Learning, and Barbara Angiolelli, Instructional Technologist.

Remotely Monitor 3D Printing

Blair's new 3D printer models come with a camera inside the printer.  This streams a video of the process, allowing anyone to view their print job from a computer monitor.  As seen in the video above, the ability to view a print from afar allows for increased flexibility when monitoring large or complex print jobs. Issues can be detected and addressed without the person having to physically be in the printing room during the whole print.

Weber Hall Renovation

This past summer workers gutted Weber Hall to make room for the Mathematics Department.  As seen in the video above, all the interior space was cleared out and eventually rebuilt.  Included in the plans were more multiple projectors in classrooms similar to the one experimental classroom that used to be located on the ground floor of Timken Library.  The technology office ran wiring and connected the building to the rest of the campus network.

Programming Students Create a Dynamic Map

Writing complex code was the solution for students in Mr. Garrant's programming course.  One group of students came together to explain in a simple and visually appealing way the reach of our own Blair.edu website.  Using Google Analytics and Java, they were able to gather information and then plot the website's hits on a map of the world.  Students presented their overall project objectives as well as the written code. They were able to explain the challenges they faced, and ultimately what they would do differently.

Package Delivery Software System

Beginning in July 2017, the Blair bookstore deployed a new software system to track packages and notify recipients of deliveries.  Scanners and an app work together with the cloud-based software to help Blair's staff manage all aspects of package tracking.  It includes arrival information, student notifications, and pick-up confirmations.