[LIBRARYDIR] RECALL: [EXT] Re: student laptop loaners

[Elliott, Emily]

Hello all-

I don't know how recall a message but delete and ignore.

From: LIBRARYDIR <librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu> On Behalf Of Elliott, Emily via LIBRARYDIR
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2023 9:51 AM
To: May-Farley, Sheila <smayfarley at RTC.edu>; Staley, Laura <lstaley at rtc.edu>; Zhang, Di <dzhang at rtc.edu>; Mayer, Jay <jmayer at rtc.edu>; Shultz, Jack <jshultz at rtc.edu>
Cc: Elliott, Emily <eelliott at rtc.edu>; Maher, Donna <dmaher at rtc.edu>; WACTC Library Directors <librarydir at lists.ctc.edu>
Subject: [EXT] Re: [LIBRARYDIR] student laptop loaners

Hello Sheila-

We understand the frustration you are feeling for your students. The restriction of laptops is due to the programs that have purchased the laptops using their own funds. I am including Jack Shultz on this email, maybe he can help you find a grant that could help your program purchase laptops for your students?

From: May-Farley, Sheila <smayfarley at RTC.edu<mailto:smayfarley at RTC.edu>>
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2023 9:45 AM
To: Staley, Laura <lstaley at rtc.edu<mailto:lstaley at rtc.edu>>; Elliott, Emily <eelliott at rtc.edu<mailto:eelliott at rtc.edu>>; Zhang, Di <dzhang at rtc.edu<mailto:dzhang at rtc.edu>>
Cc: Maher, Donna <dmaher at rtc.edu<mailto:dmaher at rtc.edu>>
Subject: RE: student laptop loaners

Thank you for your prompt response. This is very frustrating. Restricting access to the use of laptops to only certain programs seems inequitable. There are no professional medical offices that allow for the use of tables to complete daily tasks. We cannot appropriately train students on this equipment. Chromebooks are appropriate for K-12 settings but not higher ed.

Unfortunately, from discussions with other program faculty I'm getting the same feedback. This was discussed at length when we all went to online. Prior to that, our program had already discovered the limitations of Chromebooks and expressed how inadequate they are.

Yes, I'd be happy to share my experiences with whoever is now the group responsible for purchasing and providing access to electronic equipment.

Thank you,
Sheila May-Farley


From: Staley, Laura <lstaley at rtc.edu<mailto:lstaley at rtc.edu>>
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2023 9:07 AM
To: May-Farley, Sheila <smayfarley at RTC.edu<mailto:smayfarley at RTC.edu>>; Elliott, Emily <eelliott at rtc.edu<mailto:eelliott at rtc.edu>>; Zhang, Di <dzhang at rtc.edu<mailto:dzhang at rtc.edu>>
Cc: Maher, Donna <dmaher at rtc.edu<mailto:dmaher at rtc.edu>>
Subject: Re: student laptop loaners

Hi, Sheila -

Thank you for contacting us. We did want to talk to you about this.

I'm afraid the only computers we have to loan to students, outside of the Information Technology and WorkFirst computers which are restricted to IT and Workfirst students, are Chromebooks.

The devices the library checks out are provided by the CTS department. If your program has special requirements, it might perhaps be worth talking to them and seeing if they have funds to buy the right kind of computers and send them to the library.  (Or maybe talking to the Digital Equity Committee might be useful?)

As of right now we can offer Chromebooks, use of the computers on the library floor, and information about some sources for purchasing low-cost laptops. Please let me know if you have questions.

Thank you,


Laura Staley



Renton Technical College Library

3000 NE Fourth Street

Renton, WA 98056

My telephone number has changed.  To contact me directly, please use 425-235-6732.

________________________________
From: May-Farley, Sheila <smayfarley at RTC.edu<mailto:smayfarley at RTC.edu>>
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2023 8:39 AM
To: Staley, Laura <lstaley at rtc.edu<mailto:lstaley at rtc.edu>>
Cc: Maher, Donna <dmaher at rtc.edu<mailto:dmaher at rtc.edu>>
Subject: student laptop loaners


Hi Laura,



I have a student that was loaned a Chromebook. Students are not able to download the needed software for our program on this device. This was discovered back in 2020 and we requested then that students not be issued Chromebooks for our program. Unfortunately, first quarter students are not aware of the limitations of the device and sometimes spend weeks trying to figure out why they are not able to complete their work.



I'm looking for a way to ensure students are not loaned Chromebooks.



Thanks for your assistance.



Sheila May-Farley

Medical Office Programs
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.ctc.edu/pipermail/librarydir_lists.ctc.edu/attachments/20230124/f12c8657/attachment.html>