MIT Computing

MIT's computing environment supports a rich array of technologies and information resources for academic, research, and administrative use. Information technology services are provided by many different organizations working collaboratively. Some departments have dedicated IT staff, email servers, building networks (LANs), or other services. All work closely with staff in the central Information Services and Technology department (IS&T). IS&T services and facilities include MITnet (the campus network), the Athena Computing Environment (centrally provided hardware and software resources), the on-campus telephone system, co-location services for high-performance research computers, and a variety of support services. The MIT campus is fully wireless.

Several Institute initiatives exemplify MIT's commitment to providing IT services to assist faculty with teaching activities. These include the Stellar course management system, useful for organizing course materials, assignments, and class activities; MIT OpenCourseWare, making MIT faculty course materials available to anyone via the web, free of charge; and WebSIS, the student information system, where faculty have access to class lists, reports, and other academic advising and policy information. This past year, the Office of the Dean for Undergraduate Education, the MIT Libraries, and IS&T committed to working together to ensure responsive and seamless academic computing services by creating the Academic Computing Coordinating group (ACCORD). ACCORD staff from all three departments will work closely with faculty when experimenting with technology for teaching and learning.

With these resources, members of the MIT community can share information and programs, communicate with each other, and work together on problems and ideas in creative ways. For more information on IS&T, go to http://web.mit.edu/ist/, and for more information on ACCORD, please see http://web.mit.edu/accord/.