Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful and productive summer.
We have made some significant changes to the technologies in the classrooms for fall 2014 and I wanted to give you a rundown of the changes now so that you won’t be caught off guard when you are in the classroom. Below I have listed some of the major changes. You can see the changes and detailed instructions for how to use all the classroom technologies in the updated and revised Classroom Technology Guide. If you click on the link to Documentation in the menu above, you can also find separate detailed step-by-step instructions for each of the technologies that we have available for you. When you click on the link to the documentation titles, it will open up a pdf, which you can then save to your computer for quick reference. Copies of the printed technology guide are available in each classroom.
*New Touch Screen Display Panels*
On the lecterns we now have a touch screen display panel to select among the components in the classroom. When you touch the screen, it automatically turns on the projector and the television screens and selects the classroom computer. When the computer is booted up, the display will be projected on those devices.
*Intercom System*
We have installed an intercom system in each classroom. They are attached to the left side of the lectern in all classrooms except 126 where it is at the back of the lectern.
The first button on the intercom will connect you with an AV staff member. We have arranged that someone will be available at all times when classes are in session. This will provide the ability to have a two way conversion so that you can get immediate assistance, or request that someone come down and assist. The last button will connect you with Campus Safety in case of emergency.
**The intercom system is still being configured and tested and is not yet activated, but will be soon. We will let you know when it is available**
*ELMO Document Camera*
All classrooms have new ELMO document cameras. These cameras have much better lenses and it is easy to adjust the brightness so that there is no glare on the page or object you want to display. They work easily with the Smart Board tools, so if you want to annotate an object or text using the camera, this is very doable. These cameras also have a microphone built in, which means that every classroom now has a camera and mic that can be used for SKYPE or Panopto without having to bring in any additional equipment.
*Laptop Connection*
There is a new cable cubby on each podium, where there is a VGA cable, HDMI cable, Ethernet cable, audio cable, and power receptacle. This makes it easy to connect your laptop right on the podium without having to bring in extension cords or other devices to connect your laptop to the classroom system.
These changes were dictated by the need to upgrade the wiring and electronic components in each of the classrooms, which has been completed. In addition to bringing the classrooms up to current standards, these changes have allowed us to make some improvements in the systems we have available to you.
The training and practice room also has been configured with the same upgrades as the rest of the classrooms, so this is a perfect location to try out all of these new systems to make sure you are comfortable with the changes.
Let me know if you would like to use the practice room, or would like some assistance using any of the equipment or discussing how technology can help you in your teaching. The Delaware training and practice room is along the hallway behind Special Collections.
Some of the things we have been doing with faculty this year include:
• Using Panopto for lecture capture, makeup classes or to create short video clips for ‘flipping’
• Using Skype for video conferencing or for special guest speakers
• Using Adobe Connect for video conferencing or small group meetings
• Creating online self-graded TWEN quizzes (with or without Panopto video or audio commentary)
I am available to provide individual training and assistance at your convenience. Stop by my office in the library or contact me at blmindell@widener.edu t: 302-477-2118. I look forward to working with you this year.
Have a great semester!