Recommended Infrastructure

1. Action Learning Workshops: Instructional Technology Lab

1. A seminar hall with a capacity of about 25 participants equipped with a wide screen for computer projection, flipchart and whiteboard
2. Continuous availability of trouble-shooting personnel (especially for Local Area Network configuration and Internet connectivity)
3. Courseware production units consisting of computers, preferably printers and scanners, where the processing of course material / handouts are done by the participants
4. Air condition and dust protection
5. UPS systems to protect computers from downtime, damage and data loss, preferably with reliable battery backup and surge suppression and line-noise filtering.
6. Preferably Inverter/Chargers to quickly respond during a blackout by providing connected equipment with frequency-controlled converted DC battery power into 120/220V AC (office) power
7. A full setup of a Local Area Network; new computers must be connectable to the LAN (important: smooth functioning of the LAN is a prerequisite for the workshop)
8. Accessibility to internet sites running e.g. on port 8080 and chat servers

1.1. Equipment for project work

1. A whiteboard or blackboard and preferably a flip chart (incl. coloured markers or chalk and eraser)
2. A projection screen and a projector capable of accepting 1280 by 1024 computer input with at least 3 meter monitor cable (a second projector must be available as fallback)
3. A table on which the consultant can place his or her laptop PC and a projector and a chair
4. A desk or table and a chair for each trainee, positioned so that trainees can see both the projection screen and the whiteboard (or blackboard or flip chart)
5. A computer (see courseware production unit) for at least 50% of the trainees (preferably one PC per trainee), configured for use in the production environment. That is, each project computer must be loaded with software that will be used in the production environment and connected to the Internet (it must be possible that participants install software during the workshop)
6. Electrical outlets and sufficient extension cords
7. Network connection for the consultant´s computer (LAN and Internet connection) ; IP addresses
8. Detachable Speakers for a computer or notebook
9. Joint file directory available on a server or courseware production unit

1.2. Courseware production unit

1.2.1. Hardware

• Courseware production unit with at least 1 GHz Processor, min. 256 MB of RAM, 1 GB free disk space, sound card (mic in, audio out), CD-ROM drive, min. 15 inch monitor, network card for LAN or peer to peer connectivity, and preferably speakers, CD-Recordable drive available
• USB flash disks
• Login IDs/passwords available and tested for LAN or peer to peer connectivity
• Internet connection tested
• Headset (microphone, earphones)

1.2.2. Software:

• MS-Windows 2000, XP
• MS-Office with MS-Word, Powerpoint and Excel (at least Office 95) or OpenOffice
• Adobe Acrobat Reader for reading and printing files in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF).
• WinZip for file compression
• IrfanView for image adaptation
• Skype VoiceOverIP / Instant Messaging software
• Participants must have Browser enabled access to their e-mails
• Internet Explorer (with JavaScript activated, Version 4.x onwards)
• Interactive demonstrations and software simulations, based on Powerpoint as authoring tool, preferably Macromedia Captivate or Camtasia Studio or screen capturing and editing tool, http://www.techsmith.com/products/snagit/

1.2.3. Peripherals:

• A Laser Printer and / or Ink-Jet Printer (preferably colour)
• Photocopier
• Scanner
• Digital camera
• Digital video camera
• Replacement keyboards, mice and at least 1 monitor and computer

1.3. Stationery

• Name tags and holders
• Paper for participants
• Stapler, thumbtacks, paper clips, adhesive tape
• Blank disks and CD-ROMs
• Scissors

2. Online Participation: Participant´s infrastructure

2.1. Courseware production unit

• Course production unit with at least 1 GHz Processor, min. 256 MB of RAM, 1 GB free disk space, sound card, CD-ROM drive, min. 15 inch monitor, headphones or speakers
• USB flash disk
• Acces to Internet (e.g. at home or from an internet café)
• Microphone

2.1.1. Software

• MS-Windows 2000, XP, Vista
• MS-Office with MS-Word, Powerpoint and Excel (at least Office 95) or OpenOffice
• Adobe Acrobat Reader for reading and printing files in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF).
• WinZip for file compression
• Skype VoiceOverIP / Instant Messaging software
• Participants must have Browser enabled access to their e-mails
• Internet Explorer (with JavaScript activated, Version 4.x onwards)
• Interactive demonstrations and software simulations, based on Powerpoint as authoring tool, preferably Macromedia Robodemo or Camtasia Studio or screen capturing and editing tool, http://www.techsmith.com/products/snagit/

2.1.2. Peripherals

• Access to a printer
• Access to a scanner
• Access to a digital camera and equipment for image transfer

In case of any questions we will provide for assistance. Please contact (shof@hoffmann-reif.com).