Medical Education Program “BYOD” Protocol

The Information Technology Department is introducing a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiative for the testing centers.

All students, residents and staff using the testing centers in the Medical Education Building (MEB) and Gayle Greve Hunt School of Nursing (GGHSON) will be required to provide their own personal computing devices. Therefore, all students must possess and maintain a laptop computer that meets the technical specifications of TTUHSC El Paso and their school or program.

If you have questions, please contact the IT Help Desk at 915-215-4111 or ELP.HelpDesk@ttuhsc.edu.

Program Statement: For full participation in the M.D. degree program, students in the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine (PLFSOM) are responsible for providing and maintaining electronic devices in accordance with current recommended technical specifications. For all other inquiries related to Information Technology support and policy information, please refer to the Student Orientation Packet “IT Welcome” provided by the Office of Student Affairs.

Reason for Statement: This statement is intended to ensure that all medical students have appropriate access, via compatible personal equipment, to the information required for their participation and successful experience in the program.

Who Should Read This Policy: All PLFSOM students, course/clerkship directors, educational program administrators, and PLFSOM academic technology support staff.

Supporting Resources: This protocol is supported by the Office of Medical Education.

• Technical Expectations:
  1. All students are expected to use their own laptops to access assessments, course materials, and educational information (tablets, mobile devices, and smartphones are not recommended for these purposes).
  2. Students are responsible for the maintenance and security of their laptops, devices, and peripherals (e.g. mouse, power supply, network cables). Laptops must meet the minimum technical specifications as determined by the curricular platforms used (see item v).
  3. Neither TTUHSC El Paso nor the PLFSOM is responsible for the consequences of a student choosing to use a device that does not meet these recommended minimum technical requirements. Furthermore students are solely responsible for vendor updates and changes in the technical specifications for applications and services required by the program.
  4. Students are expected to respect administration, faculty, and tutor directions by shutting-off devices during certain educational activities. This includes complying with a faculty member’s decision not to be recorded.
  5. The minimal technical specifications for related learning and assessment platforms may be obtained from the organization’s website (requirements are subject to change):
• Technical Reference List
  1. ExamSoft:
     https://examsoft.force.com/etcommunity/s/article/Examplify-Minimum-System-Requirements
  2. NBME Web Testing:
     http://files.constantcontact.com/71cb3668301/649e2415-f4a2-4e2f-ac30- 84c0cca887ee.pdf
  3. Aquifer: https://aquifer.org/resources-tools/securing-your-exam/
  4. CANVAS learning management system: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10721
  5. Media Space (Kaltura):
     https://vpaas.kaltura.com/documentation/Web-Video-Player/Supported_Devices.html
  6. Firecracker: http://help.firecracker.me/articles/68200-which-browsers-does-firecracker-support
• Recommended general specifications include the following:
  1. Use only internet browsers that are supported by TTUHSC El Paso (do not use beta versions).
  2. Exam certification must be performed on all personal laptops and/or institution-owned systems that will be used for testing at least 10 minutes prior to exam.
  3. Mobile devices, iPads, tablets, and laptops with integrated touchscreens are not recommended or allowed for testing. Virtual machines (including applications) are unreliable when running some required exam platforms and thus are not allowed. Examples: Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and Windows 10 Pro with Hyper V.
  4. Laptops should be able to connect to both wired and wireless networks (newer systems may require an additional Ethernet network adaptor or device).
  5. Fast broadband internet connection is recommended.
  6. In special cases where faculty or course directors promote certain educational applications, please consult application website for technical specifications.
• Student non-compliance with technical protocols, specifically including the use of non-conforming personal devices for testing, may result in any of the following school designated actions:
  1. Administration of the test on a device provided by the institution device (subject to availability)
  2. A change in the modality of the affected student’s test (for example, administration of a paper version)
  3. Changes in the setting and/or location of the test
• In addition, student non-compliance maybe reported as a professionalism concern to the Office of Student Affairs, and potentially result in a referral to the Grading and Promotions Committee.