Percy Baxter Learning Centre
The PBLC has been established by the Information Services as a learning resource that provides a range of services, programmes and development resources to students and academic staff. Areas covered are information literacy and learning technologies; information design and management; design, development and production of technology enhanced student projects and computer supported collaborative learning. The Centre is also used by academics undertaking technology-assisted learning activities with their students. |
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Computer Facilities
The open area consists of 60 PCs. |
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| Hardware | Scanners  how to scan, CD Writer, B+W and Colour printers.Zip drives and a graphic tablet may be borrowed from the Helpdesk for use with PBLC computers. |
| Software | Microsoft Office Professional Suite, Adobe Web Standard Suite, Open Office, EndNote, Internet Explorer, FireFox, FileZilla, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Windows Movie Maker, Windows Media Player, QVT FTP, QuickTime Player, Citrix ICA Client, more ... |
Resources for Collaborative Learning
PBLC offers an environment and associated resources that can enhance the collaborative learning experience.
Discussion groups are encouraged, with tables for small groups available throughout the Centre. The carrels in the open area are designed so that two people can comfortably sit at each workstation. A private consultation room is also available to be booked by students for group work and includes a computer, whiteboard, and work table.
For those who prefer to work on their own computers, the Centre is equipped with a wireless connectivity, enabling full access to University network resources.
Book the Resources
Most of the PBLC resources can be booked in advance.
Open Area
60 computers are available for use by University of Melbourne staff and students. They are located in spacious carrels. Each carrel belongs to a group, some of which have specialised hardware and software. For details on hardware and software installed view the computer setup page.
eLearning Studios
There are two eLearning Studios, each contains 16 student and 1 demonstrator computers. The demonstrator computer is attached to a data projector, has speakers built into the ceiling for sound dissemination and is equipped with the NetOp School software. Other room features include: whiteboard; large sliding door; speakers (request in Studio 1); access to UniCard printing. Academic and teaching staff may book a Studio by completing the request form. Please include the setup time you will require in the booking. |
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Consultation Room
One room of the Percy Baxter Learning Centre has been equipped with a computer, large table, ergonomic chairs and a whiteboard to facilitate group or collaborative learning. Computer setup The computer in the consultation room has the standard setup. Booking the consultation room Staff or groups of students of the University may book to use this room by enquiring at the Helpdesk. Please ensure you bring your University identification card with you. Booking restrictions Groups are currently restricted to two hours per booking and two bookings per week, to ensure equitable access. Housekeeping Please ensure that you keep the consultation room neat and tidy. Remove any rubbish, shutdown the computer when finished and clean the whiteboard. Excessive mess will result in offenders being banned from using the room. |
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Disability Liaison Unit room
There is one Disabilty Liaison Unit (DLU) room in the Percy Baxter Learning Centre. It contains one computer with a standard computer setup and speakers. Computers may also have software to assist people with special needs as decided by the DLU. Both computers have access to UniCard printing.
Booking the DLU room To use the room you must have been recommended by the DLU. To book, take your university identification card to the Helpdesk and speak to staff. |
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Printing
Printing in the Percy Baxter Learning Centre is managed by UNICARD. Printing options include black and white, colour, A4 and A3 output.
Use your Student ID Card to print
Find a UniCard Vending Machine to buy and add credits onto your Student Card. Use this card to print and photocopy.
Getting a printout
All computers in the PBLC can print to the colour and black and white laser printers. From within your application select the File, Print menu option. From the dialog that appear select either the colour or black and white printer and click OK.
Take your Unicard to the appropriate printer. If you are printing to the colour printer you will find this at the end of group 2 in the open area. If you are printing in black and white there are two printers, one at the end of group 4 and another at the end of group 6. Both these printers will display all black and white print jobs.
There is a computer next to each printer that displays the print jobs. Click on the name of the job to be printed and click Print. A dialog will display the total cost of printing. You will be prompted to insert your UniCard into the reader then click OK. Your print job will then be printed.
Cost of printing
| A4 | A3 | |||
| Black & White | 10 cents | 20 cents | ||
| Colour | $1 | $2 |
Please note: printing double sided counts as two pages; printing two pages per side also counts as two pages.
Colour Photocopying
Colour photocopying is available from the colour printer in the PBLC. Prices are the same as for printing.
Black and white photocopying is not available in the PBLC, but is available from Unicard in the basement of the Baillieu Library.
Wireless Access
The University has a wireless network to allow people with a laptop and University login to access the Internet from many places on campus, including the Percy Baxter Learning Centre.
Full information including wireless coverage, setup / configuration, FAQs and software drivers may be found online.
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You can NOT print to University printers using your laptops on the wireless network. |
BYO wireless card
If you have a laptop with a built in wireless network card go to http://www.infodiv.unimelb.edu.au/knowledgebase/wireless/ for information on how to configure for the wireless network access.
Have network but need power?
The Percy Baxter Learning Centre has several power equipped tables you can plug into. Each can seat six to eight people and has four power points. Ask the staff at the Helpdesk to point them out to you.