Classroom Technology
Sullivan Hall
Stephanie Zimmerman
Associate Director of Multimedia Services
Seattle University School of Law
March 25, 2006
Sullivan Hall Classrooms
Built in 1999, with several upgrades and renovations since.
Initial Technology for Classrooms
• Smart Podiums
• Crestron Control Processor “brains”
• One device that centralizes the controls for everything
• Integrated Touch Screen Controls in Podium
• Multimedia Projectors
• Document Readers
• Connections for Laptops
• Audio CD and Cassette Decks (with speed controls)
• VHS players
• Microphones
• Professors Microphones
• Audience voice lift system
• Lighting Controls
• Wired Ethernet jacks for each chair
Smart Classrooms – Centralized Control Units
Crestron Control Processor “Brains”
•Control module with standardized device controls.
•Routes in and outputs for presentations.
•Ability to centralize controls for everything.
•Programmable, Scalable, Flexible.
•Continues to be useful regardless of new technologies.
Standardized User Interface
Touch Screen Interface
•Standard, consistent interface in every classroom.
•Easy to figure out, even without training or evening support.
•Programmable to incorporate new technologies.
•Communicates useful information.
Choosing the Right Screen
Tab Tension Screens
•Advantages: Never creases, great reflective surface.
•Disadvantage: starts to stick to itself after a few years.
Multimedia Projector Upgrades
Original Proxima Projectors
Models are always improving
Current Sharp Projectors
• 2x Brighter, Quieter, Smaller, Higher Resolution
• Warm-up in a few minutes. Important, especially if the class just
before you turned it off.
• Ability to sell original model to recover some money.
Document Readers
2nd Doc Reader Model
Newest Doc Reader
Problems with original Doc Reader Interface.
Technology improvement between design and installation.
Can stand in as Overhead Projector as well, with under bed lights.
Classroom 328 Upgrade
Originally one room had no technology
• Tables could be moved into configurations at will.
• Future space needs required it to be multi-functional.
• Technology had to be added, 5 years later.
Classroom 328 Upgrade
Installing new equipment, that has same interface.
• None of the original equipment models are made anymore, but Crestron
and Touch Screen interface the same way.
• Setup allows professors to sit at table level with students with laptop
extension cord, or move podium around (which is same height as desks).
Microphones in Large Classrooms
Professor based microphones
•Stationary podium mics, always on.
•Wireless Microphones,
•Require faculty to use: keys, batteries, and on/off switch.
Microphones in Large Classrooms
Student based Voice Lift system
•Ceiling Mounted Microphone Arrays.
•Ceiling Mounted Speakers
•Directional Program Speakers
•Complex control Systems
Fully integrated via Crestron
Architecture and Technology – Sound Proofing
Hard walls and floors create echo champers inside classrooms.
•Fabric panels, carpet and insulated walls help.
Noisy ventilation can drown out everything.
• Important to lesson pressure at any one spot.
•Make sure ceiling microphones are not near vents.
Double doors to keep out hallway noise.
Architecture and Technology - Lighting
Great, I can see the whiteboard, but…
Where is the professor?
Architecture and Technology - Lighting
Great, I can see the whiteboard, but…
What’s being projected?
Architecture and Technology - Lighting
Wooden Clouds are pretty, but…
Pretty and Functional are not always the same thing. If there is a
battle over looks, its important that functionality wins before the
architect builds something that can’t be changed.
Architecture and Technology - Lighting
Lighting Placement and Controls are Important
These are studio lights added after building was finished.
Can be customized and controlled by Crestron.
Architecture and Technology - Lighting
In-room Lighting Demo
Architecture and Technology - Lighting
•Outside windows and Skylights
•Fluorescent Light Fixtures
•Incandescent area lights
•Bright Projectors
•Studio Lights
Color Temperature
Every type of lighting has a different color to it.
Make sure yours all match, especially if you ever want to videotape.
Architecture and Technology
Equipment Rack Space
Leave space for growth.
Conduit Pipe
Wireless is not the
answer to everything.
Water Damage
Plan for Crisis.
Raise equipment off floor.
Architecture and Technology
Additional Equipment Racks in Podium
•Access to items like VCRs, DVDs, etc.
•Additional Inputs (future iPod jacks etc.)
Access and Security Issues
•Theft & Tampering Concerns.
Fixed or Movable Podiums
•Wiring Concerns
•Labor Considerations
Architecture and Technology
Build for durability.
•Avoid any moving parts. They break and add complexity.
•Choose round edges when possible. Corners break and scratch.
•Use metal instead of plastic when possible.
Architecture and Technology - Videotaping
Whether you use them now or now, build outputs from your classrooms for
recording devices, both at the podiums, and at the back of the rooms.
Architecture and Technology - Videotaping
Sullivan Hall portable videotaping and encoding capabilities.
Fixed Cameras versus Portable Setups.
Convertible Recording Formats. (WMV to MP3, etc)
VideoConferencing
Polycom Viewstation FX
Experimenting before purchasing.
Using existing device for many purposes.
Repurposing portable equipment for larger uses.
Integrating new technology into rooms not built for it.
Video Conferencing
1st Semester, SU Courtroom
2nd Semester, classroom C5
•Existing Room reinforcement audio was a
disaster.
•Two ceiling mounted mics pickup
questions for 115 people seamlessly.
•So table mics had to be laid out for each
student, and Vortex Echo Cancellor was
purchased.
•Fully integrated with VTC.
Usability – Why is this Important?
Could I use it - Will I use it?
•Intuitive Use - Technology should Assist not Hinder.
•KEEP IT SIMPLE
•Minimize wasted time. Minimize stress for presenters.
•Keep student and professor confidence high.
•Minimize labor costs in support.
Usability – Why is this Important?
Never assume anything about your users.
•Leave instructions where they can be found.
•Label Things if they aren’t obvious, or even when they are.
Usability – Why is this Important?
Tech Support - Phones
•Analog Phones in Classrooms
•Ringers off
•local numbers only
•posted help numbers
•Repurpose for telephone conferencing
•Tech Support
•The show must go on.
•Don’t leave evening faculty and students hanging out
there on their own.
•Manned help desk or phone, student workers who can
locate who ever is needed via radio, cell, etc.
Usability – Why is this Important?
Critical Questions to Ask:
•Are we buying it because its trendy – or will it actually be useful?
•Will technophobe users be comfortable with it?
•Is it so complex that a technician has to be on hand, in every
room, holding hands, every day?
•Can I move from one room to another without have to relearn
everything?
•Will the interface change every year?
•Can evening professors figure it out on their own?
•Can visiting guests lecturers figure it out without training?
Technology Investments
Its not how much money you have, but how you spend it.
•Know what your choices are.
•Learn from other’s experience. Ask Questions.
•Know advantages and disadvantages of each option.
•Don’t throw money at cool things, invest in useful
opportunities.
•Always plan for forward growth.
•Don’t marry yourself to proprietary, dead-in technology.
•Technology is never a one time cost….
•Consumables: projector bulbs $$, repairs, upgrades.
•Find a Trustworthy Subcontractor for Integrated Systems!
Technology Investments
Technology is never a one time cost…
•Consumables: projector bulbs, batteries, studio bulbs.
•Accessibility of equipment for repairs – ladders, etc.
•Someone has to replace mic batteries every week.
•Life-cycle of Equipment: 3-5 years on industrial grade devices.
•Unexpected repairs
•Theft replacements
•Outdated technology
•Changing needs
Better not to spend anything, then dump money once into systems you
won’t sustain in the future. It sets false expectations for use.
Plan for Expansion
Growth is inevitable….
•Have more room than needed in Conduit Pipe.
•Leave empty space in Equipment Racks.
•Have additional inputs and outputs in all devices than needed.
•Buy industrial equipment that is controlled with standardized
protocols.
•Know technology will improve between your first quote, and when
you finally build.
•Own your own Crestron Programming, always demand copies of
that programming from your engineer after each upgrade!! Don’t
assume that company will exist in 5 years.
•Buy one spare of everything, because when it finally dies you
won’t be able to find that model again. And it always dies in the
middle of a semester, when the room can’t be upgraded.
The Future
What is on the Horizon….