FIRST STUDENT REP MEETING FEEDBACK

Hi All,

As you know we had our first student rep meeting yesterday. It was a great discussion with a few issues coming up that we (Me, Jeremy and Hank) think we can resolve to everyone's satisfaction/advantage.

Here is a list of what we talked about, with actions and possible solutions:

1. There was a request for added clarity around the assessment criteria ... especially regarding uploading material to the blogs. My next blog post will be about this issue, so keep an eye out for that.

2. Extra tutorials for the software that we are using and will be using in class. There are a few ways we can help with this one ... I'll approach the Head of Program (Ann Quinlan) and ask if we can pay for some extra tutorials. Another option is to facilitate you guys setting up informal study groups ... in other words, post a sticky on the forum that you can suggest times that you'll be in the computer labs, or on the computing benches on levels one, two and four. I'll go ahead with the forum idea and we'll keep you posted re any extra tutorials.

3. 10-15 minute break during studio. We spoke about how it's difficult to fit in lunch before class and recognised that the 12-6pm session is a long one. I'll send a note to all the tutors asking them to schedule in a 10-15 minute break so you can go away and get coffee, or a bite to eat, at some stage during the tutorial. Also, we'll try and get the lectures finished a little earlier so there will be time before studio to fuel up!

4. Power for laptops. Our facilities management guys have just finished installing a locked box in most of our studios with 8, or so, powerboards in each box. This will give about 40 outlets per studio room. The idea is that you daisy chain them between desks and we pack them away at the end of each studio session ... which is an occupational health and safety requirement. me, Jeremy and Hank have keys for the boxes, and will unlock them all at the start of each class. It's a little different on level one ... down there we have a smaller number of massive powerboards (I think they have 8 outlets each) that we will bring out at the start of each session.

5. One rep asked what drawing apps on iPhones/iPads were the best. I have Adobe ideas on my iPad. Jeremy has Autodesk's Sketchbook Pro for iPad ... which is $4.99 ... so pretty good value. We can't say that these are the best options ... but we are using them, so they can't be that bad.

6. Related to the above; I'll check to see if the Mac store on campus stocks the special pens you use to draw on the iPad (much more accurate/easier than using your finger). I'll report back.

7. The issue of keeping backups came up. I'll mention this in the post about the blogs ... but in addition, both Me and Jeremy save our work as different versions every 15 minutes or so. In other words every 15 minutes I go save as, and save the file as RussellExperiment2v02, then v03, v04, v05, etc, etc. The data can mount up ... but if your file becomes corrupted, or something strange is happening, it's very easy to go back to an earlier version. You can also go back to an earlier version if you find you've reached a dead end with the option you chose from 5 versions ago (just go back 6 versions and head in the other direction). External hard drives are very cheap now days, so make sure you budget for one of those and keep it just for backups.

That's all for now. Keep an eye on this blog to see how some the issues above were resolved ... and if you have anything you'd like us to know, but don't want to bring it up with us directly, talk with your Student Reps ... they are a smart and enthusiastic bunch, so take advantage.

Cheers