The Metrics of the Classroom
Todd Benzin
Classroom Technology Supervisor
Buffalo State
WARNING! Some silos were damaged during
the making of this presentation!
Why do we need to keep track?
• To watch trends in what our faculty are
using
• To be proactive about
maintenance/troubleshooting
• To inform new construction/renovations
• For annual reports
• So we don’t have to move as much
• ???
What does Buffalo State use?
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Extron GlobalViewer Enterprise (1.3.1)
Crestron Fusion RV (9.3.0016.09)
Banner
Sassafras K2
R25
Extron GlobalViewer Enterprise
• Originally integrated in 2011 with an existing set of
approximately 60 System 5 IP controllers
• I attended Extron Configurable Control Systems
(ECCS) training in Toronto in order to obtain a grant
to cover the cost of software and commissioning
• The system grew to a peak of 86 rooms in 10
different buildings
• Help from Extron and our Computing Services crew to
set up server space on campus
• Most configuring was done by me
The GlobalViewer Help Desk
GlobalViewer Reports/Logs
GlobalViewer Lamp and Filter Hours
GlobalViewer Reports/Logs
GlobalViewer Input Source Report
Global Viewer Input Source Chart
GlobalViewer Reports/Logs
Crestron Fusion RoomView (RV)
• Integrated in 2013
• Currently populated with 78 rooms
• Are not currently set up for e-Control of rooms, and
reporting is still buggy
• Our aggressive construction/renovation schedule has
prevented us from doing thorough set up and testing
• No real support materials or training available unless
you take Crestron Level 2 programming
Fusion Reporting
Fusion Report Choices
Fusion System Usage Report
What are we seeing?
In a sample of 83 classrooms with Extron controllers:
Hours
DVD VCR
LAPTOP
PC
DOC CAM
What are we seeing? (cont.)
• 78 displays on for 43206.36 hrs. in 2013-14
• 84 displays on for 54666.14 hrs. in 2014-15
– Assuming similar skews each year in terms of
equipment being left on when not actually in use, the
numbers still seem to suggest a significant increase
(+17.49%) in equipment usage
• On newer systems, we will be able to track VHS use
What does Buffalo State use?
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Extron GlobalViewer Enterprise (1.3.1)
Crestron Fusion RV (9.3.0016.09)
Banner
Sassafras K2
R25
Banner
• Banner is the SUNY Buffalo State online student
information and registration system.
• Provides reporting based on:
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Instructional Method (Traditional, Hybrid, Online, etc.)
Buildings/Rooms
Departments/Subjects/Classes/Instructors
Class Sizes
Semesters
Times/Days of the Week
Room scheduled hours/equipment use
Extron Use Fall 2014
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Bacon 204
Bacon 205
Bacon 115
Bacon 117
Scheduled
Bacon 211
Used
Bacon 215
Bacon 217
Bacon 225
Sassafras K2 (www.sassafras.com)
• “K2 discovers the software you have, tracks who is
using it and how often, and shows you how much you
actually need.”
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Verify and enforce licensing compliance
Monitor and analyze usage to quickly save $
Manage Windows, Mac, Linux, and Virtual Computers
Install in 5 minutes
Industry leading support
25 years of award winning experience and standards
creation
SMART Board Usage
Classroom
Instructional Labs
Comparison & Use
Fall 2014
Fall Data Set
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August 25 – December 11, 2014
8 am - 9 pm Monday – Friday
Holidays and snow days removed
897 available hours of use
Fall Data Set
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CAUD 211 now BUCK A108
Did not include TECH 259
19 labs fall 2013 data set
23 labs spring 2014 data set
22 labs in fall 2014 data set
Calculations in Hours
K2 login report provides total login time in
hours:minutes * number student stations in lab = use
(hours logged on)
897 available hours * number student stations in lab
= hours available for use
Example
Lab A with 25 student stations x 897 available
scheduled hours = 22,425 total available hours
K2 login report shows the total login time of
167.08 x 25= 4,177 hours of actual use
19%
Available Hours
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
-
Use
Available Hours
35,000
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
-
Use
As a result . . .
• No new labs will be built on campus
• Any requests for more computers in labs
must go through technology governance
• More talk at the Dean level about sharing
lab spaces within schools
What does Buffalo State use?
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•
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Extron GlobalViewer Enterprise (1.3.1)
Crestron Fusion RV (9.3.0016.09)
Banner
Sassafras K2
R25
R25
• Scheduling and Resource Management Software
• Has already been in use inconsistently for Events
Management and Registrar’s Office
• This month begins a series of meetings of
Resource25/Live stakeholders to push forward a
Cabinet-approved plan to use R25 for all event and
classroom reservations
• Will allow possible future integration with
GlobalViewer and Fusion to allow for remote room
control and better statistics
Conclusions
• Silos are comin’ down!
• We have quicker ways to get more complete statistics
on a variety of technologies throughout campus
• We can fairly easily track over longer time periods
• In some cases these statistics are actually leading to
changes in the way we think about and purchase
technology on campus
• Sometimes the cost is minimal, but sometimes it is
exorbitant
Questions
• Is it worth the time to break down statistics by
School/Subject, Time/Day of the Week, Type of
Equipment?
• Can tracking the use of certain rooms inform our
future renovation decisions?
• Are higher ups really paying attention to this?
• Do these tools make us better at our jobs?
• Can these numbers really help us get more staff?
• ???
Contact Information
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Todd Benzin
Classroom Technology Supervisor, Buffalo State
benzintr@buffalostate.edu
716-878-4538
ir.buffalostate.edu
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