The Scope Lab at Sinclair Community College is a computer repair and help center run by Computer Information System students for the Sinclair staff, students and faculty — free of charge.
“What it is, is a capstone for students who are about to graduate from CIS,” Ken Hook, assistant CIS professor said.
Hook said this is a way for capstone students to get hands-on learning, as well as experience in the business aspect of dealing with customers.
The students don’t exclusively work on laptops, but any computerized devices such as cell phones, tablets, iPods and gaming systems.
“We will cover anything that has to do with a computer,” Hook said.
The Scope Lab has the technical problems broken down into categories to keep track of what students have the most issues with. They offer file transferring, diagnostics, hardware installation, screen replacement, software installation, laptop memory installation, tune-up and virus scanning to remove viruses and speed up the system.
“I supervise them — if they have something wrong they come to me and we fix it as a team,” Hook said.
Hook said about 45 percent of the technical issues brought to the Scope Lab this semester have been tune ups and viral/security problems. He said that this costs roughly between $99-$199 for virus removal at a local computer repair shop.
Hook said it is not only good for students to get the learning experience from working in the lab, but it helps save money on repairs.
“Since we started in fall 2011, we have saved Sinclair’s staff and students roughly $488,000 in repair costs,” Hook said.
He said by the end of this semester, the Scope Lab will have saved the Sinclair community more than half a million dollars.
The Scope Lab is also available for any questions people may have about their devices. The lab is on a walk-in basis and electronic items maybe dropped off Monday through Saturday. Students can also call the Scope Lab for help, information on pick-ups and to check on the status of their device. To reach the lab via phone, call 937-512-4218.
“All students are welcome, we need devices in order to have work to do in the lab,” Hook said.
The lab is currently open for fall semester and will also be open for spring semester. The Scope Lab is located in Building 13, Room 223. Open hours are Monday 8 to 10 a.m. and 12 to 9 p.m., Tuesday 1:30 to 8 p.m., Wednesday 8 to 10 a.m. and 1:30 to 5 p.m., Thursday 1:30 to 9 p.m., Friday 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.