Welcome

Welcome to the Digital Language Centre

This guide is intended to introduce you to the operations of the DLC and to give you some direction as to what will be expected of you as a student monitor.

The DLC consist of two facilities:

room SN-4022 - 30 iMacs grouped in clusters of six
room SN-4030 - 40 iMacs in a linear constellation

The other offices in the DLC are the director's office (SN-4022B), the monitor station (SN-4030A), the graduate students' office (SN-4027) and the server room.

The DLC is overseen by a director, presently Dr. Karin Thomeier. Karin supervises staff, sets schedules, interacts with faculty, and determines the direction the labs will take. The director reports to the Dean of Arts and is advised by the DLC Advisory Committee (DLCAC). Members of this committee represent each of the five language departments use this academin support unit: Classics, English, French & Spanish, German & Russian and Linguistics. The director and DLCLAC set centre policy with the aim of enhancing language courses at MUN and promoting independent language study.

The Digital Language Centre is a separate administrative body and as such we have our own operating budget. If you require photocopying or stationery supplies to complete your job, they are available in one of the rooms between the two labs. If you notice that some supplies are low, please let the director or a senior monitor know so we can order more. Photocopying is generally only done by senior monitors and conversation class leaders.

The Monitors' Guides

The document you are presently reading is part of the training manual available to new monitors and returnees looking to refresh their memory or reference an operational item. As a monitor you are expected to read and refer to this document and use it as a GUIDE when you need more information on a procedure.

The training manual was developed because there is, necessarily, a high turnover of the student staff. In addition, with students working in one hour shifts, some students consistently do some tasks and not others. The primary purposes of this and the other guides in the monitor station are:

To reduce the total amount of time the director and the research computing specialist spend in teaching and correcting monitors.
To provide consistency in procedures adopted by monitors who have been trained by different monitors over the years.
To be an on-going reference to monitors as they encounter new situations.

Very important stuff every monitor should learn immediately!

Monitors must sign in each lab and conversation class period worked to be paid for it.
Check the monitor schedules as posted. Note: Even though you select your own work hours, the monitor schedules are tentative in the first few weeks of term. Check for changes via email and each time you come in.
Try to get another monitor to replace you if you are sick or otherwise unable to work a session.
Inform the DLC as soon as possible should there be a change in your schedule.
You MUST let the DLC know ahead of time if you will be late for your shift.
If you hold another position in your department, your cheque may not come here to the DLC.
The Direct Deposit application forms must be filled out by all new monitors and returning monitors who have been away for a period of time. There is a link to this form on the "Jobs" page.
Ask questions! Don't be shy.
Don't be afraid to say "I don't know" to a student or fellow monitor, but then find out the answer!!
You may not eat or drink or lay down food or drink anywhere in the DLC excep in SN-4030A, which is your space. It is absolutely forbidden in the student labs!
Try and instill a feeling of friendliness in your dealings with stiudents, instructors and staff.

Conversation Classes

Conversation classes will be assigned to monitors as required. Usually, the director will consult faculty about choices for Spanish and Russian conversants. The director will make every effort to accommodate faculty and monitors who wish to work with each other to offer conversation classes.

A monitor should expect to converse with no more than 8-12 students per class. Please alert the director if you regularly have larger groups.