Student Technology Assistance Plus

Do you loan laptop computers?
No, however, the Help Desk does but only to faculty and staff and for $5.00 per day. They have several PC laptops available for rent . Please call the Help Desk at 5167 or helpdesk@graceland.edu.

Can we use the equipment in the room? Do we need a technician to use equipment in room? Is this room self-help?
Most of the rooms have 'self help' systems, which allow public use of the projection and playback equipment from the front area of the room. Thus, any Graceland person can go into these rooms and show video or computer images without special help. However, STA+ offers help or training if necessary. If you need sound reinforcement (i.e. microphones etc.) you can ask the persons in charge of the building for this equipment or borrow some equipment from GEMS.

Who can use GEMS & STA+ services?

The Graceland Community: students, faculty, alumni, authorized Graceland affiliates and employees.

What equipment is available and in what room?

Follow this link Equipment Available to see what GEMS has available for loan and what equipment is already installed in any given room .

What forms of payment do you accept?
The forms of payment that GEMS accepts are department budget numbers, checks and cash.

How do I confirm my job and get an estimate of costs?
You can confirm your job by calling GEMS at 641-784-5400 or 641-784-5496. You may also e-mail us at sta@graceland.edu. If your order was sent via e-mail, you will receive a reply e-mail summarizing your request. This will serve as your confirmation. If your order was placed via phone, you will be sent an email or return call confirming your request. If there is a charge involved an estimate of your job can be faxed, mailed or e-mailed to you.

How far ahead should/could I reserve my equipment and/or technician's services?
Most of our work is categorized into two groups, Technician Services and Set Up/Breakdown. For Technician Services jobs (where a technician stays for the entire program), we request a 48 hour notice for events during normal working hours. For events after 5pm or on the weekends, we request a 5 day notice.
For Set Up/Breakdown jobs during normal business hours, most equipment requests can be accommodated with short notice but to assure adequate equipment availability, please order at least 48 hours in advance.

How do I get help with planning my event?
GEMS staff are available to help you with the planning of your event. We are happy to provide details about the room you will be using and to discuss your equipment and staffing options. Feel free to contact us at 641-784-5400 or 641-784-8400 or email at sta@graceland.edu.

Can I send you my presentation in advance?
If your equipment request includes the rental of Help Desk laptops, we can assist you in loading your PowerPoint files. If you wish to present using your own computer, please arrive early enough to allow ample set up time. Please contact our office or for details at 641-784-5400 or 641-784-8400 or email at sta@graceland.edu.

I borrowed equipment from you and my event ended early. What should I do?
If the job was set up by GEMS, call the office at 5400 or 5496 or send an e-mail sta@graceland.edu and we will come for it. If after hours please take the unit with you and put in a locked secure place. You are responsible for this equipment.

How do I place or cancel an order?
To place or cancel an order call the STA+ or GEMS office 5400-5496 or send an e-mail sta@graceland.edu .

How do I resolve my billing problem or question?
If you have a question or problem with a bill received from GEMS call the office and talk to one of the office staff and they will help at 641-784-5400 or 641-784-8400 or email at sta@graceland.edu.

Do you work off campus?
We will gladly go off campus for a Graceland Department sponsored event.

Do you charge for your services?
Seldom; Charges for most services are included within student tuition or room rental. However if we must supply a VHS tape, DV Tape or CD we will charge for the cost of the item. There will be a late fee of $5.00 for anything not returned when promised.

Can you videotape my event?
Yes. We can videotape your event if the event is during regular GEMS or STA+ hours. The school time hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Wednesday and Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Non school time hours are 8:00AM to 4:00 PM. After hours videotaping is done only if we have someone willing to work after hours. Please set this up well in advance. Our regular working hours do not include the weekend. We will do filming only if the STA+ representative is willing to work on the weekend, and the regular charges for this service apply.

How do I get a copy of my bill?
GEMS can fax, mail or e-mail a copy of your charges.

I need to replace, upgrade, or install the presentation equipment in my room. How do I do this?
Please call the Director of Instructional Technology, Ron Ellis at 5467 or email him at ellis@graceland.edu or call STA+ at 5400 and 5496 or email sta@graceland.edu Ron or someone from STA+ will get back to you and set up a site visit. The site visit will set in motion the process of upgrading or installing equipment in the room with GEMS managing the project for you and making sure that you get the right equipment and the best price available.

Do I need my own cable to hook my computer to the projector in room?
If the room has a built in computer and projector, you may need a "male to male" (pins rather than holes) 15 pin VGA cable to hook between your computer's external video port (on the back of your computer, often colored blue) to the room's computer interface. Most rooms are equipped with these cables on the Smart Expression Tables and Podiums.

Is there a network drop in the room? How do I get access to the network for my presentation?
The classrooms on Graceland's campus are firewalled against accessing the Network. In other words it is not possible to access the network form any classroom. This is to protect the network from unwanted or illegal unmonitored use. However, if you are authorized you can use you VPN client just like you do from home to access the network from the classroom. All class rooms do have Internet access. If you have any questions on the please contact the help desk at 5167. Anything you can do on the internet you can do in any classroom. We are not the network people, but since we are here to help you with your presentation we do everything we can to get you up and running on our projection systems and on the network. However, It must be noted that people coming in from outside of Graceland need to make special provisions in order to get their computers on line, and these arrangements should not be left to the last minute. You will need to contact STA+ at 5400 or sta@graceland.edu and the Help Desk at 5167 or helpdesk@graceland.edu for more information.

Audio Recording: Analog or Digital?
Digital and CD recording is now the most available and inexpensive format. If your program is primarily spoken word and you plan to make actual hard copies for distribution, digital CD is the best choice. If your program is primarily music or creative sound, or if you plan to post the audio on the Internet or to archive the program in a digital form on a computer, digital is still the best choice. Most of the more common digital formats, MP3, WAV, Windows Media, QuickTime, will yield results that will please most ears. Graceland offers CD quality recording on a DAT recorder. This system is currently set up in the Shaw center. If you need to record at other places please give advance notice.

I have a European (PAL) video. Can I show it in my classroom?
No classrooms are equipped with such equipment. We do have a PAL & VHS deck for use in our office. Please come to the STA+ or GEMS office and test your video before showing it in your classroom.

How large a screen do I need?

1' (foot) of screen width for every 6' back. So, a 6' screen serves a 30' (foot) room.

Should I use a brightly reflective screen?

Only when in a long narrow room because the image projects directly back to the projector.

Why should I use visuals?

Improve credibility. Increase comprehension. Increase agreement. Shorten necessary meeting time.

What is key stoning and how do I prevent it?

If your projector is above or below the the center of the screen, an annoying keystone-shaped projected image may occur,

which may cause focus problems or just look funny an unprofessional. You can correct this by going to the menu on the projector remote and choosing the keystone adjustment and go + or

until the picture shows square on the screen.