The Michigan Daily - Friday, June 20, 1986 - Page .
Computers simulate
profs' office hours
By MARTIN FRANK
You have just left a lecture without comprehending what was said.
Your professor is not holding office hours, and you have a quiz tomorrow.
Where do you go for help!
In many classes, the answer is a computer. A growing number of
University instructors use computers to supplement their classes, and of-
ficials say the electronic tools have proven to be successful teaching aids.
The computer programs help students in nearly every school and
college see important diagrams, reinforce class material, provide prac-
tice quizzes for self-testing.
EDNA COFIN, director of the Program in Judaic studies, implemen-
ted a Hebrew-teaching system winter term. Coffin said students who used
the computer system scored 100 percent on the same quizzes that used to
pose serious problems.
She calls the system a "time saver", saying, "I don't have to waste
valuable class time describing syntax and vocabulary. The students can
now do it on their own, while we can proceed with more pertinent
material."
Virginia Rezmierski, assistant to the vice provost of information
technology, estimated between 20 and 30 professors are using computer
supplements for their classes. She adds that many more will go "high
tech" in the future to help teach information not explained in class tex-
tbooks.
"THE COMPUTER is a tool that takes students to higher levels of lear-
ning," Rezmierski said.
Lewis Kleinsmith, a biology professor agrees with Rezmierski's1
assessment. Kleinmith discovered that the average grade in his introJ
Biology 112 class improved 10 percent after he introduced the computer.
"I lecture for 500 students, so when they go away from lecture lost,
there is no means to help them because I can't tutor 150-200 students.
That's why the computer is so useful, because students can solve their
problems on their own," Kleinsmith said.
MANY PROFESSORS are using computers because they are worried
students are not doing enough homework. Coffin requires students to use
her system during 'language lab' time.
Although Kleinsmith doesn't require computer work. he thinks most
students use the program.
"Although we cannot tell exactly who uses it, we can tell how manyI
people use it, and we figure that virtually everyone in the class uses it"
he said.
Funding for the computers, IBM XTs, comes from many sources and
ends up costing the University very little, according to Rezmierski.
INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS, computer companies, state sources,
and $120,000 from the Educational Initiative Grant from IBM contribute
money.
Prices for the systems vary - from $1100 to $3600 - due to disk drive;
sizes, color monitors, memory bank sizes.
Coffin said she envisions the computer becoming the "language lab of
the future."1
"I hope to see a computer in every booth. It will be the new language
and learning environment of the future," she said
City's homeless are more
vulnerable to arrest
(Continued fromPage 2) Or you steal.
resident have a history of mental "Most guests do it because they
illness and 25 percent have a history have no money," Ritz said. "They'll
of substance abuse, according to Zick. be stealing food. The only free meal
Society has a difficult time dealing they have is in the morning." Ritz
with the homeless. While Larkin said she has been arrested 8-10 times,
believes that the Ann Arbor com- mostly for larceny and related
munity "rates well" in responding to crimes.
the problem of the homeless - citing Captain Klinge agrees with Ritz's
the 120-160 volunteers presently assessment. "Sometimes when you do
helping at the shelter - he feels at- not have anything, you are in a
titudes still need to be changed. position to commit minor theft,"
"People in the community accept Klinge said.
fraternity boys breaking the law,"
Larkin said. "They don't accept it
from someone who's dirty or Adefense
homeless"
RITZ SAYS when people give up against cancer can be
trying to find a job or a place to live COOked Up in yourkitchen.
they often turn tocrime. For instance, Call us.
her food stamps for this month have AMOUCAN CANCE SoETY
pens, she said, "you g n ry.-
Dnily olo ty CHR imSiiWi,
LSA senior Janet Smith enjoys the chance to study on the Diag. Many summer students take advantage of the
warmer weather to escape the library.
Rt libraries cool s
hais uin u
By JULIE KRUMHOLTZ and Fall terms it stays open until 2 figured uut how to make it go where
Though students often associate a.m. during the week and midnight on we wanted."
studying with packed libraries Friday and Saturday. The Graduate Another student haven on hot days
populated by caffeine-crazed Library is also open two hours less is Fuller pool. Getting work done by
classmates, campis libraries during each day. the pool side is difficult, though many
spring and summer terms adopt a When the libraries are open, con- students insist they have good inten-
new look. ditions are often uncomfortable. "I tions. Heidi Gray, LSA junior, who
Soft drinks filled with ice litter was so hot I had to take off my shirt was dozing on her accounting book,
tables at the Undergraduate Library because the air conditioner broke said "this is the most use I've gotten
(UGLi), and the air becomes heavier downstairs in the law library," said out of it all spring."
as air conditioners sometimes break. LSA senior Bobby Efros. Others com- LSA senior Andy Trapp's response
Students sport multi-colored shorts plain of sticking to the vinyl chairs. to the question of "how do you study
instead of the usual Michigan sweats. LSA junior Soozie Mazer advises during the spring" seems to be the
Many students opt to brave the looking for wood chairs to avoid this. norm. "I don't," he said.
bugs, heat, and sun to escape the IF THE HEAT doesn't drive people
library on beautiful afternoons. More out of the libraries, loneliness might.
and more the Diag, the Arb, and LSA junior Cynthia Landon said, "I fffE lfllffN
student porches are replacing was the only person in the Grad a
libraries for spring studying. As LSA reference room. It was so weird, I
junior Kathy Kermian said, "I am left." LSA junior Pete Rikter added,
only able to motivate inside if it is "No one's at the library. So, I study at McDonalds
rainy or cloudy. Otherwise, I will home.
study outdoors." Some students adapt by forgetting all
STUDENTS who brave the indoors their studies. Gallup Park and NorthU
find more barriers than just the heat. Campus Recreational Bldg :NC;B):;
Shortened library hours force them to are serving hoards of students
adapt their schedules. "A lot of people requesting canoes for daily excur-
are bummed because it (UGLi) closes sions. Rates range from $4.50 per day.
at 12 a.m. said one worker at the at the NCRB to $7 for two hours at
UGLi circulation desk. Gallup Park.Ue
The UGLi is now open until 12 a.m. LSA juniors Lisa Stein, Maras
Monday through Thursday and 10 Donenfeld, and Jill Dobkio agreedf
p.m. on the weekends. During Winter that "canoeing was great once we* ,
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