Center for Computer Assisted Learning

The Center for Computer Assisted Learning (CCAL), on the first floor of the library, is a computer laboratory designed to provide students access to both commercial and faculty-developed instructional software and problem-based Computer Aided Instructional (CAI) programs, complementing various courses in the curriculum.  The core of the service is the Blackboard e-Education platform.  On each workstation, a full Microsoft Office Suite, graphics, audio and video editing software allows the students to produce assignments and perform original research.  Students are also allowed to use the resources for personal projects without restriction.

The 38 workstations are Shuttle X computers with 3 Ghz Athlon-64 processors and 1 Gb. of RAM.  The 3D graphics are connected to 19" LCD monitors.  Headphones allow students to listen to listen to instructional narration, sountracks or music without disturbing their neighbors.

While in the CCAL, students can use the T-3 connection to the Internet for research and to access our online journals and databases.  Students also have access to a group of scanners and CD-ROM writers and three, high speed, duplexing, workgroup printers, to which all workstations are connected.  Annually, more than one and a half million pages are printed by the students and faculty in the CCAL.

The resources of the Library and CCAL are available in The Eye Institute, the College's clinical facility, through terminals connected to the campus's Wide Area Network (WAN).  Additionally, most of the Library’s web-enabled resources are made available through this website.  When students graduate, they continue to have access to Library resources and services throughout their professional career.