Technology

Technology Assisted Learning Classroom

The Tydings & Rosenberg Technology Assisted Learning (TAL) Classroom, located on level 4 of the law library, is equipped to to function as an innovative computer equipped classroom. A wide variety of software is readily accessible from each work station for word processing, online legal research, and computer-assisted instruction in more than 25 areas of substantive law. Instruction in specific computer skills and in the application of computer technology to the study and practice of law are currently provided in the TAL Classroom. The TAL Classroom may be used only by University of Maryland, Baltimore students, faculty, and staff. Use of the TAL Classroom constitutes acknowledgment and acceptance of the terms of the Acceptable Use Policy.

Availability & Scheduling

The TAL Classroom is a training facility and is restricted to scheduled events such as seminars, classes, and lectures. Consult the current schedule for room 4403 on the University of Maryland School of Law Room Availability System.

Hardware

The TAL Classroom is equipped with 32 Dell computers for use during classes and training sessions.

All computers are attached to the GoPrint Pay-Per-Print system.

Accessible Work Station

The Thurgood Marshall Law Library offers an accessible work station for students and faculty who require machine-assisted support. The accessible work station is located on level 2 of the library.

Features include:

An expanded 20-inch wide, touch screen monitor to support stylus users or individuals with limited mobility.
An enhanced mouse and oversized keyboard for users with limited mobility.
An easily adjustable keyboard support for users with limited mobility.
A Braille keyboard for the visually challenged researcher.
An attached flat bed scanner to convert documents to readable text for the visually challenged researcher.
The latest version of voice activated software and screen reader software for the visually challenged researcher.

Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction

The law school is a member of the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction which distributes CALI programs on various topics. The CALI library of exercises is a collection of more than 270 computer-based lessons covering more than 30 legal education subject areas such as civil procedure, torts, contracts, property, and criminal law. The exercises are designed to augment traditional law school instruction. They can be used as supplemental materials or integrated with other course materials. Students may download CALI exercises from http://www.cali.org and run the programs on their home PC.

Computer-Assisted Legal Research

Lexis and Westlaw, two major computer-assisted legal research services, are available for use by law students. First-year law students will be given individual passwords to access these databases at the beginning of the fall semester and will be trained during their legal research class in the spring semester. Other law students who wish to make arrangements for an advanced or a refresher session should check with a research librarian. The School of Law receives access to Lexis and Westlaw under special educational contracts that stipulate that the services may be used only for course-related work by currently enrolled students of the School of Law. Both Lexis and Westlaw can be used over the Internet with individual student passwords. Documents retrieved on Lexis and Westlaw may be downloaded to a disk, to a recordable CD or printed to dedicated high speed laser jet printers located on the fourth floor of the library. Students are responsible for retrieving their printouts promptly. Printing should be kept to a minimum.

Exam Files

The library maintains a file of previous course exams to which faculty members may choose to contribute. Exams on File are available to UM Law students, faculty and staff only.

Copyright

To guarantee continued access to commercial software programs, reproduction of university-owned or licensed software is strictly forbidden. Under federal copyright laws, unauthorized reproduction of software can be subject to substantial civil penalties, as well as criminal action resulting in fines and imprisonment. Installation of software not owned by or licensed to University of Maryland, Baltimore is both a violation of the users' agreement and a violation of federal copyright law. A user making or using unauthorized copies of computer software or documentation may be subject to:

Loss of University of Maryland, Baltimore computing privileges
Appropriate federal penalties
Other discipline, as appropriate.

Library Computing Users' Agreement

All students are required to read and comply with applicable Law School and University of Maryland, Baltimore Technology Policies.

Printing & Copying

All library computers print to the GoPrint Pay-Per-Print system. Printing costs $.10 per page ($.05 per page when printing from Blackboard).

There are photocopiers in the Imaging Room on level 2 of the library. Photocopies cost $.12 per page.

University of Maryland, Baltimore students, faculty, and staff may use their campus IDs (OneCard) to pay for printing and copying. Visitors may purchase a OneCard for one dollar from the UMB1One machine in the imaging room on level 2 of the library. All users may add value to OneCards using the UMB1One machine with cash or credit cards. Students, faculty, and staff may also add value online.

In case of printer or copier malfunction, do not try again. The user services desk staff can make printouts or copies to replace failed jobs, but cannot offer refunds. Refunds are not available for value remaining on debit cards after use.