Tag Archives: 202408

Classroom Media Equipment Improvements

TechNews, , , ,

LEF Podium Monitors

Faculty teaching in the Lefavour Science labs will be pleased to learn that all podiums are now equipped with confidence monitors. No more turning around to check what’s displayed on the screen—everything you need is right in front of you. Originally, the podiums were designed to be “mobile” so they could be easily disconnected and moved. However, after years of feedback and realizing that the podiums were rarely, if ever, moved, we found a cost-effective solution to add monitors to every lab on the 2nd and 3rd floors.

Document Cameras

Document cameras have become more compact, versatile, and affordable over the years. As a result, every classroom on campus is now equipped with one, aligning with our goal to standardize media equipment for a consistent experience across all classrooms. While you may not need to use these cameras for their traditional purpose, they offer a valuable secondary function—they can double as webcams. Simply connect the attached USB cable to a laptop or podium PC, and the document camera can serve as your Zoom camera and microphone. This is a convenient way to show a view of students to a remote presenter on Zoom or capture your presentation for sharing on Panopto or Moodle. (Please note: Many of our classrooms still use Virtual Desktop Interface (VDI) computers, which cannot run Zoom, but we are working toward installing full computers in every classroom.)

Information Security and Phishing

TechNews, , ,

For the fall of 2024, it is expected that approximately 20.7 million students will attend U.S. universities. This influx of students, faculty, and staff returning for the academic year presents increased opportunities for cybercriminals, who often exploit the busy start of the school year to launch their attacks​ (EdTech Magazine)​ (Proofpoint).

Phishing Attacks: Phishing attacks continue to be a significant threat, accounting for 36% of all data breaches in 2023. Currently, about 1.2% of all emails sent globally, which equates to nearly 3.4 billion emails per day, are malicious. This makes phishing one of the most prevalent cybersecurity threats, with educational institutions being particularly vulnerable due to their large and varied user bases​ (Proofpoint)​ (Pixel Privacy).

Protective Measures: To mitigate the risk of falling victim to these attacks, it is crucial to adopt robust cybersecurity practices:

  1. Be cautious of emails claiming urgency.
  2. Verify the sender’s email address.
  3. Watch for suspicious logos, signatures, or content.
  4. Check URLs before clicking; ensure they lead to official, encrypted sites.
  5. Think twice before opening attachments or clicking on links.
  6. Use different passwords for work, school, and personal accounts, and keep them secure.
  7. Regularly update devices, apps, browsers, and antivirus software.
  8. Delete sensitive information that is no longer needed.
  9. Backup your files regularly.

Common Scams Targeting Students: College students should be aware of common scams, including:

  • Fake emails offering “Part-Time” work.
  • Fake emails with “important information about your account” or issues with registration.
  • Tech support scams claiming issues with your computer.
  • Fake scholarship or textbook rental scams.
  • IRS scams demanding payment for a fake “federal student tax.”
  • Tuition reimbursement or student debt cancellation scams.
  • Requests for login information, passwords, or personal data.
  • Fake friend requests and misleading messages about shared documents.

These precautions and awareness can help protect against the growing wave of phishing and other cyberattacks targeting educational institutions and their communities​ (Pixel Privacy)​ (identitytheft).

Colleges of the Fenway AI Panel, Call for Panelists

TechNews, , , , ,

The Colleges of the Fenway AI Think Tank is preparing to host a COF-wide panel event this fall semester. The goal of the session is to continue the cross-institutional conversations about AI and education. By hosting a panel of students followed by a panel of faculty, we hope to share with the community the varying utilizations, and applications and perceptions of AI (to include large language models and image/audio generation tools). The panels will be moderated by the AI Think Tank members. Panel questions will be sourced from attendees and selected/adjusted by AI Think Tank members.

The Think Tank is currently seeking panelists for both the student panel and the faculty panel. We ask that you please circulate this opportunity to the appropriate groups and teams at your institution. Interested panelists can indicate their interest by submitting this form.

*Please note that panelists do not need to be experts on this topic! We are hoping to assemble a group of folks interested in discussing AI from their perspective.