Ballentine Lab

URI Instructional Computing Facilities This page is part of a category. To see more pages like this, go to the Labs index.

Location

Ballentine 240 (map)

Contact

Pat Egan Lead Information Technologist 401-874-4330 egan@uri.edu

Hours

Fall & Spring Semester: Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Closed Saturdays & Sundays Summer & Intersession: Closed except for academic courses and special events

Schedule

The Ballentine Lab schedule can be accessed online.

Reserving the Lab

Reservations for use of instructional computing facilities should be submitted at least a week in advance for one-time use (to accommodate training of the instructor). Ideally, block reservations for instructional computing facilities (e.g., for an extended period such as all MWF 10-10:50 a.m. for six sessions in a row) should be submitted at least a month in advance. Reservations are approved on a first-come, first-served basis. Because this is our only instructional computer facility that accommodates classes larger than 25 students, reservations for Ballentine are limited to six class sessions per semester. Faculty in the College of Business are given first-priority for lab reservation until 30 days prior to the start of the smester. Course reservations do not automatically include final exam periods. These must be booked by the instructor separately. Email your reservation request to labreservations@etal.uri.edu. Please list your class size, what computer functions you need for your course (Web browsing, word processing, etc.), and the software you will need for instruction. Please, be sure to read the Computer Lab Reservation Policy.

TurningPoint Technologies Channel for this Classroom

Channel 33

Media Equipment

Equipment Rack The computer lab at Ballentine Hall has the following equipment installed: installed, ceiling-mounted LCD projector and screen an instructor workstation audio-visual closet with DVD and VCR player a pay-for-print printer and card-access reader wired/wireless Internet access 40 student workstations

Using the AV Equipment from the Closet

Turning on the Audio-Visual System Extron Switcher located in A/V Closet Step 1: Lower the projector screen. The switch is located on the wall next to the white board. Step 2: Turn on the projector by pressing the POWER button located on the Extron controller. The Extron controller is located in the audio-visual closet in the Ballentine computer lab. The indicator light located next to the POWER button will flash red while the projector is starting up. It takes between 1 and 2 minutes for the projector to start up. Step 3: The system VOLUME/AUDIO control is located on the Extron controller ( see Extron figure above ). Note: Pressing the MUTE button located next to the power button allows you to switch the display/projector off without turning the power off. This will allow you to return to it later on without having to start up the entire system. To return to the display/projector press the MUTE button. This can be done if you need to use the white boards and then return to the screen later.

Using the AV Equipment from the Computer Located at the Instructor’s Desk

All of the audio-visual equipment in the computer lab can be controlled from either the Extron controller found in the audio-visual equipment closet, or from the AV System Controller software on the instructor’s computer. To use the software from the computer: Step1: Double-click on the AV SYSTEM CONTROLLER icon found on the desktop. AV SYSTEM CONTROLLER Step 2: The COMM PORT SELECTION dialog will appear. Click OK. COMM PORT SELECTION Step 3: The system controller software panel will now open. You will notice that this panel is very similar to the main Extron controller found in the audio-visual closet. All the necessary controls on the software panel match those of the main controller exactly, so directions for operating the main controller will work the same on the software panel. SYSTEM CONTROLLER SOFTWARE PANEL Step 4: When you are finished using the audio-visual equipment, close the software panel by clicking on the FILE menu and then selecting EXIT. Remember to turn off the projector when you are done.

Turning on the Projector

Step 1: Lower the projector screen. The switch is located on the wall next to the white board. Step 2: Turn on the projector by clicking on the POWER button located in the Extron System Control Program on the Instructor's Station (see directions above). The indicator light located next to the POWER button will flash red while the projector is starting up. It takes between 1 and 2 minutes for the projector to start up. Step 3: The system AUDIO/VOLUME control is located on the right side of the controller under AUDIO ( See System Controller Software Panel figure above). Click on the down arrow to lower the volume or click on the up arrow to raise it. Note: Clicking the MUTE button located next to the power button allows you to switch the display/projector off without turning the power off. This will allow you to return to it later on without having to start up the entire system. To return to the display/projector press the MUTE button. This can be done if you need to use the white boards and then return to the screen later. Note: Clicking the smaller MUTE button located next to the AUDIO/VOLUME control will mute the audio.

Using the Computer

Step 1: Connect the computer to the projector by clicking the INP3 button on the Extron System Control Program ( See System Controller Software Panel figure above). Insert your media (i.e. USB drive, CD, DVD) into the computer located above the controller and VCR in the audio-visual closet. The computer should be left on. If the computer does not connect to the projector (the screen remains blue): Make sure the green indicator light located next to the INP3 button is on. Make sure the computer located in the rack in the classroom audio-visual closet is on, power button is located on the front of the computer. The button is green when the computer is on. Press the space bar on the keyboard located on the instructor’s des.

Using your Laptop

Step 1: Plug your laptop into the VGA connector (the outlet labeled Video/Audio Input) located on the right side of the instructor’s desk. Ethernet and electrical outlets are located on the floor and desk. Note: some laptops running on battery will not operate this system. Step 2: Click the PC2 button located on the Extron System Control Program ( See System Controller Software Panel figure above). Step 3: Turn on the laptop if you have not already done so. Your laptop should be projected on the screen. Notes: If the projector screen says “No Signal” you may have to press the FN (Function) and F8 key on your laptop to connect the laptop to the projector. If the image is not centered properly on the screen use the HORIZONTAL POSITION button to center the projector image. This button is located on the Laptop/Document Camera Interface on the desk.

Using the VCR

Step 1: Connect the VCR to the projector by clicking the VID2 button on the Extron System Control Program (see Fig. 3). Insert your videotape into the VCR located above the controller in the audio-visual closet. The VCR will turn on if it is not already on. To PLAY the tape press the PLAY button located on the VCR. To REWIND the tape turn the large dial on the VCR counterclockwise ½ a turn. To FORWARD the tape turn the large dial on the VCR clockwise ½ a turn. The VOLUME/AUDIO is located on the Extron controller. ( See AV SYSTEM CONTROLLER figure above)> If the VCR does not connect to the projector (the screen remains blue): Make sure the green indicator light located next to the VID2 button is on. Press and hold the VID2 button for 3 seconds. Release the button and press it again.

Software

The following software is currently installed in the Ballentine Lab (as of 1/6/2010). Microsoft Office Pro 2007 Mozilla FireFox Internet Explorer 8.0 Macromedia Flash Player Quicktime Adobe Reader MiniTab Maple 13 Oracle R for Windows 2.1.0 SAS 9.2 SPSS 18 Microsoft Visio Pro 2007 Inspiration 8 Write-N-Cite Microsoft Visual Studio NetBeans IDE 5.0 Microsoft SQL Server Macromedia Shockwave Player JAWS 9.0 MAGic 11.0 Kurzweil These machines also have the Safe Connect electronic policy key installed.

Printing

Printing in this lab is charged through the URI Ram Account system. Black & white printing costs 10 cents per page. There is no color printing available in the Ballentine Lab at this time.

Policies

Media & Technology Services and Classroom Media Assistance are not responsible for lost/corrupt files or lost/stolen personal property. Food and drinks are NOT allowed in the lab.

Related Links: Computer Lab Reservation Policy