Using the InfoTech Arcade

The UIC InfoTech (Information Technology) Arcade opened in September 1994 and has quickly become a valuable resource for faculty interested in the use of technology to manage instructional materials and in the role of computers in improving the effectiveness of instruction and research. This brief article highlights some of the services and resources mentioned in the other articles in this issue and available in the InfoTech Arcade.

What Does The InfoTech Arcade Offer?

In the InfoTech Arcade, faculty can come together with software, equipment, and ideas, to explore applications of technology and multimedia in higher education. In the Arcade, you can:

• preview courseware and multimedia packages -- learn about successful applications in your field
• create multimedia presentations -- convert slides or print materials into presentation software or create new course materials that are easier to manage and reuse
• develop and edit multimedia and interactive courseware

The InfoTech Arcade is a collaborative effort between the University Library and Computer Center with assistance from the Office of Media Services. This cooperative approach enables the professionals staffing the Arcade to offer a wide range services to make technology and multimedia more accessible. We offer advice and help on:

• designing and implementing your ideas
• selecting distribution options and finding practical ways to use technology to meet a range of instructional goals in a variety of classroom settings
• dealing with copyright and licensing issues
• locating and using ready-to-use courseware

How Are Faculty Using the InfoTech Arcade?

On the practical side, the color flatbed and slide scanners are the most heavily-used hardware in the Arcade; these have been particularly well received by faculty who had already begun to use computers in their teaching and research but had limited access to graphics equipment. Other faculty find it valuable to test new software on a limited scale without have to make a large commitment of their own resources.

On a broader scale, the Arcade is being used by faculty to discover how technology can assist them in evaluating and developing instructional materials. A number of faculty come to troubleshoot their current problems, for short-term ways to begin experimenting with technology in the classroom, or for in-depth planning for integrating multimedia in the classroom on a long term basis.

Due to the collaborative nature of our endeavor and to the interdisciplinary nature of computer-aided instruction, the most valuable service the InfoTech Arcade provides is social networking and communication. These aspects play a prominent role in the success of any individual project.

How Can I Learn More?

The InfoTech Arcade is in the Main Library, Room 1310, first floor south. It is open to faculty on a first-come basis during regularly scheduled hours -- for Spring Semester, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1:30-4:30 PM. It is also open by appointment for those wishing to reserve equipment, evaluate resources, learn about a particular piece of software, or discuss a particular idea or problem. For more information, call 996-2716 or send email to lib-sys@uic.edu, or see the URL http://www.uic.edu/depts/lib/arcade/. All hardware, software, and consultation in the InfoTech Arcade is available for use in exploring and creating multimedia technology, free of charge.

Comments are appreciated; send them to lib-sys@uic.edu