CIT is updating the method for sending patches and software updates to your Windows computer

CIT currently uses a program suite called ZENWorks to push software and software updates to your Windows computer. Beginning Wednesday, July 2 (postponed until Wednesday, July 9), we are upgrading to a program called ZENWorks Configuration Management (ZCM). This new client software allows us to deliver software applications and software patches to your computer. It also allows us to maintain software licensing information.

On Wednesday, July 2 (postponed until Wednesday, July 9)(or the next time you reboot) you will be presented with a ZENWorks window with the following information:

This new client software is an important part of helping us maintain a secure computing environment. Please install this application at your earliest convenience.

Are the words on your Window's desktop to small? How to change your screen resolution

Are the words on your Windows desktop too small to read? All you need to do is change your monitor's screen resolution.

Although changing your monitor’s screen resolution is easy to do, you need to know your monitor's aspect ratio before you start changing your settings.  Adjusting screen resolution may cause some distortion if you select a resolution that isn’t designed for your monitor's aspect ratio. For example, if a widescreen resolution used on a standard monitor, the image will appear squished.

• What is an aspect ratio?
• How do I determine my monitor's aspect ratio?
• How to I change my monitor's screen resolution?
• Are the words still hard to see? Change the font size?
• Still having problems? Changing the DPI

Do you have a widescreen monitor? What you need to know about creating a PowerPoint presentation

If you have a widescreen monitor and create PowerPoint presentations, there are a few things you should know about aspect ratios. All monitors have an aspect ratio. That’s the ratio of the monitor's width to height. If you create your PowerPoint presentation with the wrong aspect ratio, your presentation might not appear correctly when you make your presentation.

Presenting a PowerPoint presentation in a Smart Classroom

If you have received a widescreen display or a widescreen laptop, you do not need to do anything differently. Currently, our Smart Classrooms are still using the full screen aspect ratio of 4:3. Therefore, you should continue creating your PowerPoint presentations in 4:3 mode. This is the default in PowerPoint. When you preview a 4:3 PowerPoint presentation on your widescreen display, you will notice that there are black areas on the right and left sides. However, the projectors, display monitors, and projection screens in the majority our Smart Classrooms are still configured to the 4:3 aspect ratio, so your PowerPoint presentation will look best if left at 4:3.

NOTE: The Fine Arts Center and the Bytwerk Theatre have widescreen projectors. If you know you are making your presentation in one of those locations you should create your presentation in a widescreen format.

If you know for sure that your presentation will be displayed on a widescreen display (either a wallboard, the projection screen in the art history classroom, a widescreen monitor or laptop at an info booth, etc), you will want to create your PowerPoint presentation in widescreen format or change it to this format. If the presentation is already created, you can convert it to the widescreen format.

Windows users:

1. Click the Design tab in the ribbon
2. Click Page Setup on the far left
3. Changed the "Slides sized for:" option to 16:9.

Mac users:

1. Click the File menu > Page Setup
2. Change "Slides sized for" to 16:9.

Be sure to save the presentation again after making this change. And, be sure to preview the presentation to verify that all the graphics display correctly. Switching from 4:3 to 16:9 will slightly stretch the contents of the presentation. The change to text is barely noticeable, but certain graphics like circular objects might be affected and you may want to manually re-size them after switching to 16:9. If you have not yet created your presentation, change the size to 16:9 first to avoid having to resize graphics.

Additional information can be found in Widescreen display FAQ

August technology LunchBytes and workshops are announced

CIT’s Teaching and Learning Team offers a variety of technology learning opportunities, including faculty development workshops, general technology workshops and LunchBytes, throughout the year. All Calvin faculty and staff are welcome to attend. The August schedule is now available.

Faculty Workshops are designed to teach faculty and instructors how to use available educational technologies as well as discuss the academic and pedagogical issues involved with effective implementation. These workshops may include a combination of discussion, collaboration, and “hands-on” training, and are typically 2 - 2 1/2 hours in length. Pre-registration is required.

Technology Workshops are designed to teach participants how to use the most commonly utilized software here on campus, including MS Office, GroupWise and Dreamweaver. These workshops are “hands-on,” and scheduled periodically throughout the year, with most of the workshops being offered at least once during the summer months. Technology workshops are typically 2 - 2 1/2 hours in length. Pre-registration is required.

LunchBytes are offered during the lunch hour and are designed to quickly present software other educational technologies. LunchBytes usually include a demonstration, but may also include some discussion and/or collaboration depending upon the topic. They are designed to be casual, and we welcome the sharing of ideas. Attendees are invited to bring their lunch—whether a brown bag or something from one of the dining areas on campus—and view the presentation while enjoying their lunch. LunchBytes are typically 50 minutes in length.