A project to upgrade Audio Visual (AV) technology in 30 classrooms in Tureaud Hall and 33 departmental classrooms throughout campus is currently underway as of September 2022. The project is expected to be completed in approximately 1 year.

The following AV technology will be included in each room.

Podium PC: Each classroom will be equipped with a PC installed inside the podium (if equipped).

Auto-tracking camera: The camera will be mounted to face the instructor and the white/chalk board. The camera will follow the instructor and will be able to zoom in on the board to some extent.

• Note: If teaching a remote audience, the document camera or PC should be used to display content vs. writing on the whiteboard. Although the auto-tracking camera can zoom, the camera will follow the instructor instead of staying focused on the whiteboard.
• Note: The auto-tracking camera will lock on and follow one person at the front of the classroom. However, the camera does not automatically record or transmit images. You must initiate a Zoom or Teams call for the camera to transmit. Also, the camera does not automatically record content. Within Teams, Zoom, or Panopto you must select the record function.
   

In-Room Amplification: Selected classrooms will have a ceiling tile microphone, ceiling tile or suspended speakers, and an amplifier. The ceiling tile microphone will amplify the instructor’s voice for the onsite students and for the remote students. Lapel microphones will not be needed.

Touchscreen switching system: The rooms in Tureaud are equipped with Extron touchscreen or selection buttons. The departmental rooms will be equipped with Crestron touchscreens. Both systems allow the instructor to select what content the students see on the projection screen and allow the instructor to display podium PC, laptop, or document camera content. The switching system also allows the instructor to use a personal laptop. If connecting the laptop to the switching system, selecting the laptop option enables the laptop to inherit the room Audio-Visual (AV) system. This allows the laptop to start a Zoom meeting and use the room amplification system and auto-tracking camera.

Data Projector: Rooms will be equipped with data projectors and projection screens used to project instructor or student content. In some small rooms, LED monitors will take the place of data projectors.

Document Camera: A document camera can be used to display hand-written material or display an object to the projection screen by selecting the document camera option from the Extron or Crestron switching system.

Wireless Display: Instructors will have the option to allow students with laptops or mobile devices to display their content on the classroom projection screen.

 

For instructions on how to use the technology mentioned above, please see the following article: Multimedia Classrooms: Tier 2 Classroom Technology Instructions
 

The following classrooms are included in the upgrade project: