What I've learned about professors from one year as IT support at my university:

[Magpie]

I interviewed for a co-op with the AV people on my campus. The podiums are non-standard. Every time they design one which they will phase in as a new standard, some new piece of equipment comes along. (None of the old podiums have iClicker equipment for example). The profs get the podium keys though. AFAIK there's only the one key, and if the prof is using the multimedia equipment he'll have asked for the key.

[Primer]

I can speak only for myself. I think my room was the last one in the building to get a PC. I can turn it on to do word processing--ONLY. I'm a Math teacher. I have NO math programs, and even if I did, I have no way to share them with the class. The PC is not connected to anything else,not even the school's server, even though there is a fancy new projector (that doesn't work) and a big TV (that plays only VHS tapes).

I have the choice of using a blackboard, which I cannot do because of shoulder problems, or an OLD overhead machine that eats light bulbs. It has blown 4 bulbs (at $25+ each) already in the past month.

Yeah, "technology" at my school is the greatest!

[Geek King]

The PC is not connected to anything else,not even the school's server, even though there is a fancy new projector (that doesn't work) [...]

With a little more info, we might be able to get your projector hooked to the PC. Why doesn't the projector work?


One suggestion I can make, for now: If the monitor cable can be taken from the monitor, plug it into the projector in the slot likely labled "Computer." Make sure the PC is on, and switch the projector to the Computer setting. This should make it project the image of your desktop through the projector. You can always write up your lessons on Word or Excel ahead of time, or use MS-Paint as your whiteboard.

[JoitheArtist]

Physics

"I have unnecessary requests and demand weird things. I think this building is top-priority over all campus-wide building projects and will get super mad if you don't do this before anyone else. Making you simpletons' lives miserable gives me an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. I hate you."

Maybe it's just the geek in me, but I can TOTALLY see Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory doing that. Maybe physicists really ARE like that... *ponders*