6.08

Evidence of Compliance: 

The Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies has access to sufficient computer resources to support its instructional, research, and administrative functions, in alignment with the department’s mission to provide high-quality, technology-integrated professional preparation.

A. Instructional Support

All classrooms regularly used for REC classes have been converted to “smart rooms”, equipped with:

• LCD panels or digital projectors

• DVD players and audio systems

• Full WiFi connectivity to support web-based platforms (e.g., Prezi, YouTube)

Faculty also use Canvas, CSULB’s official learning management system, to post:

• Lecture materials

• Assignments

• Syllabi

• Grades

• Online discussions

Canvas is also available via the CSULB Mobile App, expanding student access.

B. Research Support

All full-time faculty are issued a personal desktop or laptop computer, replaced on a four-year cycle. Faculty and students have access to:

• SPSS, via a campus-wide site license

• Technical consultations and support for:

  • Research design

  • Sampling and instrumentation

  • Data analysis and interpretation

  • Use of statistical software and social science databases

Research computing support is offered through the Instructional Technology Support Services (ITSS) and the CSULB Library’s Statistics and Data Sets research portal.

C. Administrative Use

Computers are fully integrated into advising and administrative workflows:

• Faculty have access to MyCSULB, the university’s portal into the Common Management System (CMS), which includes the PeopleSoft student information system.

• Through CMS, faculty and staff manage:

  • Student records and advising notes

  • Graduation requirement tracking

  • Course enrollment and capacity management

  • Budget oversight and fiscal records

  • Classroom scheduling

D. Student Access

Students benefit from access to:

• College computer labs in the ET and KIN buildings (within a 3-minute walk of REC classrooms)

• Campus-wide labs, including those in the University Library and Student Computing Assistance Lab

• Wireless internet access via BeachNet (students) and Campus Domain (faculty/staff)

Computer labs support both Windows and Mac platforms and include standard productivity software (e.g., Microsoft Office). Technicians are available on-site for troubleshooting.

E. Department Labs

With the help of faculty applying for internal grants, the department has been able to create three labs that are used to augment instruction, and facilitate student/faculty research opportunities. One grant type is funded through the State of California lottery program, and the second grant source is from student fees (called Student Excellence Fees, or SEF). Both of these grants are offered through a competitive application process, and RLS faculty have worked together to create access to technology for our students. Example grant application templates can be found here. 

Lottery Funds: 

Lottery funds are intended for instructional purposes and prohibits the funding of capital outlay, research, non‐instructional activities, and faculty salaries. The activity or equipment funded must represent a bona fide educational and instructional experience that contributes directly to the education of a students, or leads to the development of a program or course.  Lottery funds may not be used to pay faculty salaries, gifts or hospitality, and is meant to augment the General Fund, not to replace departmental operational costs.

Student Excellence Funds:

The main criterion for awards is technology directly benefitting student learning and student success. The highest priorities include student computer labs, high technology classrooms, and other instructional equipment and lab equipment that enhances student learning. The second priority is assigned to maintenance, support, and training for instructional technology. Other requests may be supportable if funds are available, so long as uses involve “technology that touches students.” Salaries are not permitted in the SEF funding.

RLS Faculty Proposals have been successful in creating: 

• Recreation Therapy Virtual Reality Lab

  • Developed through both grant sources (Lottery and SEF)

  • A dedicated Recreation Therapy VR Lab space, including VR headsets, computer stations, storage, furniture, and supplies to facilitate VR experiences. Students and faculty have utilized this space for VR programs and faculty research. 

• Mobile Computer Lab

  • Since our department does not have a dedicated computer lab, a proposal was developed, and awarded, to create a mobile laptop lab. This resulted in a cart with 18 laptops that can can be wheeled into any classroom and utilized by students and faculty. Faculty teaching REC 341 Evaluation and Research in Leisure Services, and REC 323 Park and Recreation Facility Operations use this cart regularly. 

• UAV/Drone Lab

  • As technology becomes more accessible, faculty have sought creative ways to utilize emerging technology in courses. This resulted in a successful proposal for 9 UAV's from DJI, and assorted controllers and replacement parts. This drone lab has been used in REC 323 Park and Recreation Facility Operations, where students pass the FAA TRUST certificate for recreational UAV Flights and incorporate drone flights into park inspections in collaboration with local park and recreation agencies. 

Conclusion:

The department’s access to computer equipment, mobile learning technologies, instructional platforms, and administrative software systems is more than adequate to support its teaching, research, and operational responsibilities.