Changes in Teaching and Learning Environment

by Joe Lee, Simpson Wong, Tony Chan
 
 
Relocation of Mac Lab
 
To improve management of Teaching Studios, the Mac Lab (AC2-5607) has been relocated to room AC2-4101 on 4/F.  All Mac machines, lockers, benches and the working environment are maintained.  Room AC2-5607 is now equipped with advanced PCs providing two operating systems (Windows 7 and Windows 8.1) for general use (see table below). Instructors should pay attention to this change while making Mac Lab booking. Below please find the details on the room layouts and the configurations of the computers.
 
                 New Mac Lab at AC2-4101
           New Teaching Studio at AC2-5607


 

Location
Instructor Desk Configuration
Workstation Configuration
Operating System
Terminal Number
Mac Lab
AC2-4101
  • Instructor workstation
  • Multimedia Ready
  • DVD player
  • Microphone
  • Intercom telephone
  • LCD projector
  • Projection screen
  • Whiteboard
(Instructor workstation)
Apple Mac Pro
  • 2.8 GHz quad-core Intel Xeon processor
  • 6 GB RAM
  • 27" Widescreen LCD monitor
  • DVD/CD Writer drive 
(Student workstation)
Apple iMac
  • 3.1 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor
  • 4 GB RAM
  • 27" Widescreen LCD display
  • DVD/CD Writer drive
OS X 10.9.4
5001 - 5029
(29 seats)
Teaching Studio
AC2-5607
  • Instructor workstation
  • Multimedia Ready
  • DVD player
  • Microphone
  • Intercom telephone
  • LCD projector
  • Projection screen
  • Whiteboard
(Instructor and student workstation)
DELL OptiPlex 990
  • 3.3 GHz quad-core Intel i5-2500 processor
  • 4 GB RAM
  • 20" Widescreen LCD monitor
  • DVD/CD Writer drive
  • Front-side USB ports
  • Front-side headphone jack
  • Front-side-microphone jack
Windows 7
Windows 8.1
4601 - 4630
(30 seats)
 
For more information on Teaching Studios, please visit the CSC web at
 
 
Upgrade OS to Windows 8.1 Update 1
 
The Windows 8 operating system has been upgraded to its latest version 8.1 Update 1.  This is an enhanced environment in which Microsoft has incorporated many changes proposed by users. The environment is more user-friendly now. Also, the software applications have been updated under this computing environment. Most applications that are in the Work Desk Menu of Windows 7 can also be found in the Work Desk Menu of Windows 8.1 Update 1.
 
A few new changes are listed below: 
  • Include Power button and Search button on the Start screen
    Now you can search or shut down the PC conveniently by pressing the buttons on the Start screen.
  • Metro apps can be pinned to taskbar
    Now Metro apps can be pinned to the taskbar so that you can launch them directly from the Desktop.
  • Display running Metro Apps in the taskbar
    Now the running Metro apps will appear in the taskbar making it easier for users of PCs to switch to or close the apps along the taskbar.
The Computing Services Centre (CSC) has prepared some FAQs and an article for the new Windows OS.  Please visit the following web pages for more information: 
  1. Frequently Asked Questions for Windows 8.1
    http://www.cityu.edu.hk/csc/deptweb/support/faq/win8.1_faq.htm
  2.  Moving Forward with Windows 8.1 and Internet Explorer 11 (Network Computing Issue 78 - December 2013)
    http://wikisites.cityu.edu.hkhttps://wikisites.cityu.edu.hk/sites/netcomp/articles/Pages/MovingForwardwithWindows81andInternetExplorer11.aspx
 
 
Duplex printing as the default for quota-controlled fast printers
 
Green computing is our common practice. Double-sided or duplex printing helps to print fewer sheets of paper. According to usage statistics, around 70% of print jobs are in duplex printing mode.  To go green further, all print queues connected to the quota-controlled fast printers have been configured to duplex printing mode by default.  However, users can select simplex mode printing if necessary - simply select the “1-Sided” option from the Print Type drop-down list under the Layout tab of Printing Preferences.