Classroom FAQs

How do I book a classroom for a semester?

All semester bookings should be made by your department through Student Services at (617)552-3304.
Any ad-hoc bookings can be made through the IML at (617)552-IML9
Summer bookings can continue to go through the IML in conjunction with the Evening College.

Who is eligible to request a booking of a classroom?

Any BC faculty or staff person may request a classroom booking. Some of the classrooms, however, are used for specific disciplines, so those disciplines would take precedence for a semester booking. As an example, O’Neill 246 is reserved for the Communications department.

Do I need an orientation to the classroom?

Yes. If you have never used the classroom before, it is a good idea to become familiar with the workstations, projection system and peripherals at least 2 weeks prior to your scheduled class. Also, because the room is locked down, you will need the access code. Please contact Lisa Taddeo at (617)552-1202 and MTS at (617)552-4219 at least 2 weeks prior to your semester booking to arrange a room orientation. Having both an IML tech person and an audiovisual staff member from MTS is a better way for you to learn the classroom thoroughly.
Please note: Codes are only to be given to the faculty/staff member teaching the class. The code should not be given out to students. No students are allowed in the classrooms without an instructor.

Do you have both Macs and PCs in the classrooms?

Yes, we accommodate both platforms depending upon the room. Please view the list of classrooms, see what systems each classroom has, and how many students each classroom accommodates.

As an instructor, I would like to show my students what I am teaching onscreen. Why do I sometimes see a solid blue screen instead of my Mac laptop display?

All Macs installed in classrooms allow monitor mirroring, and are able to connect to projectors to display the screens. If the instructor laptop will not display on the screen, choose the Option + F7 key on the keyboard. This should display your laptop on the projection screen.

When I am in the Mac Lab, I would like to have a student’s laptop displayed to the projector. Why doesn’t it always project on the screen?

Again, mirroring has been enabled on all the Mac laptops. Using the touch screen, you should just be able to choose the number of the student laptop and have it project on the screen. If that does not work, choose the Option + F7 key on the student laptop. Mirroring will occur and it will be displayed on the screen.
Please note that you cannot choose 2 computers that are in the same row to project on the screen. Example: If you choose student laptop #1 then choose #2 it will not project, because both student laptops are in the same row.

How do I log into the Mac Laptops?

The instructor and all students log in as student/student ('student' as the username and 'student' as the password).

How do I log into the PCs in the classroom?

The instructor and all students log in using their BC username and password.
Everyone has been reassigned to the 'BC' domain,

What if I am still unable to get this to work?

Every classroom has hotline numbers tacked near the instructor station for easy access should you experience a problem. We are only a phone call away.

Who can I talk with regarding getting additional software on the workstations?

Please refer to the link below to answer all your software questions.
http://www.bc.edu/offices/researchservices/software.html
Please note: We ask that you give us at least 2 weeks prior notice if you need additional software added to the machines.

What if I have a problem after 5:00 pm in the classrooms?

Don’t Panic. Help is just a phone call away.
There is someone on duty at the IML (617-552-IML9) until 9:30 pm and someone from MTS (617-552-4219) until 10:00 pm during the academic year to assist with your classroom/projection problems.

As a student I would like to do my homework in the classrooms that I partake in, but the door is always locked.

No students are allowed in the classrooms without an instructor. You’re welcome to use the facilities in the IML in Gasson 02 if you have a class in there during that semester period. If not, the CTRC in O’Neill is available for use.

Can Students save their work on computers in the Classrooms?

Students cannot save their work on the classroom computers. They are cleaned on a daily basis.
Please remind your students to save to CD (there is a CD burner on each Mac laptop and PC desktop).

I noticed there is a Smart Board in Gasson 09. What exactly does this do?

The Smart Board is an Interactive Whiteboard. Using the combination of the Projector, Computer and Smart Board, you can do everything you do on your Computer and more.
Simply touch the smart board with digital ink to highlight key points, access applications and write notes.

Is there a wireless microphone that I can use and how do I turn it on?

Yes, both O’Neill 245 and O’Neill 246 have wireless mics. They are located in a black box, in the lower left hand corner drawer at the instructor station.
You need to adjust the audio on the touch screen, and pin the wireless mic to your person to have it work.

What if I cannot get it to work?

Check the battery indicator on the transmitter. If it shows red then it’s in need of a new battery. Extra 9V batteries are located in the black box in the drawer.