Proposal

Narrative

This proposal seeks to bring technology in AL 240 up to current OIT standards, replacing equipment no longer under warranty and maintaining the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription for our College’s Lab for Advanced Media Production (aka AMPLab/AL240). This proposal focuses only on the most pressing technology needs of the lab and withholds other updates for a later time. The lab is a shared space for instruction, production, and collaboration within the College of Arts and Letters. Undergraduate and graduate classes in English, SCMS, and VAAH are regularly taught in the lab, and other departments are encouraged to use of the space as well. In spring 2023, we will teach 9 classes in AL240, including courses fulfilling IFP and GRW requirements, as well as requirements for the Certificate in Professional and Technical Writing. The iMacs at the student and instructor computer stations are at the end of their 3-year warranty, which removes them from protection and also places them behind in terms of performance. The proposed funding will be used to replace the iMacs with new ones that are in-warranty and up-to-date with current technology, as well as maintain access to Adobe Creative Cloud. Doing so will help faculty in our college take full advantage of the AMP Lab and also support our college’s efforts to forward FAU’s 2015-25 Strategic Plan and continue to succeed in our state metrics. The lab aligns with many of FAU’s Core Values, including Innovation and Student Success. As the lab is used for undergraduate as well as graduate classes, it also supports FAU’s Platform of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry. The lab provides a hands-on learning environment, and also aids in the professionalization of our students, helping to prepare them for a variety of careers and offering them research experience. Given the increasing prevalence of computing technologies in the workplace, classes taught in this lab space also help to improve our students’ technological literacy.

Facilities

none

Hardware Requirements

15 iMac computers: $27,135.00 14 MacBook computers: $25,886.00 15 iMac AppleCare Protection Plans: $2,535.00 14 MacBook AppleCare Protection Plans: $4,466.00 29 USB-C to USB Adapters: $551.00 Total Hardware costs: $60,573.00

Software Requirements

Adobe Creative Cloud (1 year subscription for 31 computers = $6,149.40)

Personnel Costs

none

Other Costs

No other monies are requested in this proposal. We have focused on the minimum technology requirements for maintaining the AMP Lab. We are foregoing requests to update the Instructor station, even though it is well-beyond recommended OIT standards, as well as the projector, which is beyond OIT standards but remains functional.

Timeline

Computers will be integrated and Creative Cloud subscription will be renewed in June 2023.

Sustainability

There are one- to three-year warranties on all equipment. The department will pay for replacements of parts that wear out.

Resource Matching

The English Department will the costs for a GTA Lab Assistant selected from our pool of Graduate Teaching Assistants ($4500/year of funding for ½ of a GTA position). The GTA Lab Assistant will provide training and workshops on teaching with technology throughout the semester, will orient new teachers to the computer classrooms, will produce teaching materials to be used in these classrooms, and will serve as the contact person for any technical issues that need to be reported and resolved.

Implementing Organization

This project is housed by the Department of English, which is responsible for scheduling and maintenance, in conjunction with the larger AMP Lab Committee. The role of the Committee is to facilitate learning and help maximize usage. The space itself is available to all departments within the College of Arts and Letters.