dwaldron November 28th, 2007
Persistent problems with the technology in Kauke 243 were tracked to the room’s scaler. That unit was replaced yesterday. Similar problems have been encountered in Kauke 141 and that scaler will be replaced as soon as possible. The scaler in Kauke 037 was replaced two weeks ago. As reported earlier, the problems with the scalers are the result of a manufacturing defect. The units taken from Kauke are being repaired under warranty.
dwaldron November 19th, 2007
Each of the learning spaces in Kauke Hall includes a scaler as part of the multimedia equipment. Kauke 037, 141 and 243 have experienced persistent problems with their scalers. Faculty members teaching in these rooms have reported problems with the projection of video from the classroom computer and the DVD/VCR combo unit. At times no images from these devices could be projected and the input source could not be changed via the Pixie Pro control unit. These issues stemmed from the problems with the scalers. Booting the scaler, which required the intervention of an IT technician, typically restored normal operation.
The scaler manufacturer has now acknowledged that the issues we have experienced are associated with a known manufacturing defect. The problems occur when the scaler’s main control unit is not properly seated in its socket. The manufacturer will repair these units under warranty.
As previously reported, the scaler in Kauke 037 has already been replaced by a unit from a different manufacturer. The original unit has been shipped back to the manufacturer for repair. Its return is expected within the next few days. When it arrives, it will be installed in Kauke 141. The scaler in Kauke 243 will also be replaced witin the next few days.
We very much regret the difficulties associated with the defective scalers.
dwaldron November 15th, 2007
Faculty members teaching in Kauke 037 reported problems with the projection of video from the classroom computer and the DVD/VCR combo unit. At times no images from these devices could be projected and the input source could not be changed via the Pixie Pro control unit. After firmware updates to the multimedia equipment and reprogramming of the control unit failed to resolve these issues, the problems were traced to the audio/video scaler. That unit has now been replaced with a scaler from a different manufacturer. IT will take careful note of the performance of the new unit.
In conjunction with the replacement of the scaler, IT has installed a new equipment rack inside the media cabinet in Kauke 037. The rack provides for better organization of the multimedia equipment and cabling. The rack slides out from the media cabinet and can be rotated to provide easier access for technicians servicing the equipment.
dwaldron November 4th, 2007
Amber Garcia and Michael Casey, both of the Psychology Department, recently authored a successful Hewlett-Mellon grant proposal to equip the Human Interaction Lab (Morgan 117) and the Learning Lab (Morgan 119) with digital video cameras and digital audio recording equipment. The two labs are separated by an observation room (Morgan 118). One-way mirrors allow unobtrusive observation from this space of activities in each of the labs. The proposal included equipment for the observation room–a computer to control the recording devices, and storage units to store the generated content.
The grant authors anticipate that this new equipment will greatly facilitate the use of labs for undergraduate research, allow a greater range of Independent Study theses to be undertaken, result in increased student-faculty collaboration on observational research topics, and provide additional support for courses in research methods. The equipment will also allow activities in the labs to be recorded, edited and stored for further analysis and research. The resulting files can be brought into the classroom for presentation and discussion.
The Office of Information Technology’s Media Services group consulted with the grant authors to select appropriate equipment for the labs and the observation room. Equipment installation was overseen by Vince Di Scipio, Director of Networks, Telecommunications and Systems (NTS). This role fell to Vince as a result of the shift of Media Services into NTS. IT is very pleased to have played a supporting role in this project and congratulates Amber and Michael on their successful proposal. We wish them the best as they begin use of the enhanced labs.
dwaldron October 15th, 2007
SMART Sympodium interactive pen displays have been installed in Mateer G01, 203 and 305. The Sympodiums, small flat screen devices, have been installed on the tables or work benches in front of each of these three rooms. They are connected to the classrooms’ computers and ceiling-mounted projectors. The Sympodiums allow instructors to project images from the computer onto the classroom screen. While facing the class, instructors can add notes to the projected images in multiple colors. At the end of the class, the presentation–including both the projected images and the instructor’s notes–can be digitally saved and, if desired, distributed. This distribution can take place via Moodle.
Also added to Mateer is a mobile cart with a projector and document camera. A document camera is special video camera designed to display documents and three dimensional objects via a projector, monitor or similar device. Document cameras can also be used to project the performance of small-scale lab demonstrations onto a wall-mounted screen.
This equipment was funded by a Hewlett-Mellon grant. The proposal was developed by Sharon Lynn of Biology and Janet Russell of Instructional Technology. The grant application sites the following benefits of these technologies:
Installation of the new equipment was overseen by Vince Di Scipio, Director of Networks, Telecommunications and Systems. This role fell to Vince when Media Services was shifted from Instructional Technology to NTS.
A Sympodium and a document camera are currently available for inspection and experimentation in the Classroom Technology Demo Room. Questions about them can be directed to Jon Breitenbucher or Joe Benfield.
dwaldron August 31st, 2007
After reviewing the inventory of computers deployed in classrooms across campus, IT plans to replace the computers in the following rooms:
These changes will take place during the current semester. Academic departments will be notified beforehand.
IT plans to replace the laptops currently located in these classrooms with Mac Minis. It is our general plan to move away from the deployment of laptops in classrooms in favor of computers like the Mac Mini. We do not wish to pay the mobility premium required for laptops in situations in which the computers are to be secured in place. In addition, we expect that the non-laptops will be less tempting targets for theft. The switch from laptops to other devices will also facilitate IT’s use of Apple Remote Desktop to remotely manage classroom computers. Questions should be directed to Mary Schantz at mschantz@wooster.edu.
dwaldron August 30th, 2007
A new website dedicated to the classroom technology demo room in Taylor 210 has now been launched. The site will always feature information about the technologies currently deployed there and will also indicate which technologies are in the queue for deployment. In addition, the site will feature the policies and procedures associated with the demo room’s operation, and updates on the latest developments related to the room. In the future, the site will also allow faculty to make suggestions as to which technologies should be evaluated in the demo room, and to provide comments and feedback with respect to the technologies already under evaluation. To access the site, go to http://www.wooster.edu/technology, click on the “Computing Resources” tab and follow the “Classroom Technology Demo Room” link on the subsequent page.
dwaldron August 29th, 2007
A ceiling-mounted document camera has been installed in the classroom technology demo room for evaluation by the faculty and instructional technologists. This particular camera is a Wolfvision EYE-10. A document camera is special video camera designed to display documents and three dimensional objects via a projector, monitor or similar device.
For additional information on the classroom technology demo room, see these earlier posts:
The demo room will soon have its own website! The site will provide a good deal of information about the demo room and all the technologies installed there. Watch this space!
dwaldron August 20th, 2007
The previously announced renovation of classroom Wishart 102 has been completed just in time for the beginning of the new academic year. Last spring, the Office of Information Technology and the Departments of Theatre and Communications collaboratively formulated the new classroom design. With the considerable assistance of Purchasing and Physical Plant, that design has now been implemented. The room features a ceiling-mounted projector, ceiling-mounted speakers and a motorized screen. In addition, the room contains a document camera, dvd/vcr combo unit and an amplifer. The latter two items are rack-mounted within a custom made podium located at the front of the classroom. The document camera is housed in a podium drawer that extends to one side for use. All the technology is controlled using a Pixie Pro unit mounted on the surface of the podium. (The Pixie Pro is the same control unit installed in Kauke classrooms during last year’s renovation.) The podium also accommodates the classroom computer. In this case that computer is a Mac Mini. The computer itself is located within the rack. The flat screen monitor sits atop the podium. The podium features a sliding drawer to house the wireless keyboard and mouse. The podium top also features the cabling and connectors necessary to accommodate a laptop should the instructor choose to bring one to the classroom.
The renovation goes beyond equipping the room with new classroom equipment. The original tablet chairs have been replaced with 18 two person tables and 36 slide chairs. The tables are on lockable wheels. The furniture can be arranged in front-facing rows for a lecture presentation, in an inward-facing square along the room’s perimeter for a seminar, or in clusters to accommodate small group collaboration. The furniture was chosen so that its configuration can be changed on the fly–quickly and easily. The room’s drop ceiling, lighting fixtures and shades were also replaced. New carpet was installed and the walls were painted. Chalkboards were replaced with five whiteboards–there are whiteboards on each wall to accommodate work in small groups.
IT had a number of motivations for initiating this renovation. We very much wanted to develop a podium to house the equipment described at the front of the classroom. Some applications require that the instructor interact intensely with the classroom computer. More casual interaction is sufficient for other applications–like PowerPoint, for example. It is hoped that the technologically-enhanced podium will accommodate both effectively. When interacting intensely with the computer, the instructor stands behind the podium facing both the monitor and the class. The podium provides space for the materials that the instructor requires. The instructor can easily shift his or her focus between these materials, the computer monitor and the class. When using the computer in a more casual way, the instructor can move freely about the classroom, interacting with the computer via the wireless keyboard. We also wanted to design a podium capable of housing a document camera and making it conveniently available to the instructor.
IT learned a great deal during the renovation of the learning spaces in Kauke Hall and the desire to apply these lessons in a new space was an additional motivator for IT. We hope to perform a series of renovations like the one just completed in Wishart and that the lessons learned in each will result in ongoing improvements in the design and implementation of classroom technology. A series of such experiments conducted in conjunction with academic departments will do much to prepare the college for the next major renovation of an academic building.
We very much look forward to receiving feedback from the faculty who teach in Wishart 102. We look forward to applying the lessons this feedback brings, and we look forward to continuing to partner with academic departments to enhance learning spaces across the campus.
We are very grateful to our collaborators in Theatre and Communications. We would also like to thank Jim Fishburn of Purchasing, Jackie Middleton of Auxiliary Services and Peter Schantz and his staff in Physical Plant. Without their contributions this project would not have been possible. IT is also grateful to our own Vince Di Scipio, Director of Networks, Telecommunications and Systems, who inherited management of this project as a result of recent organizational changes.
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dwaldron August 8th, 2007
This summer, a number of important responsibilities shifted from Instructional Technology to Networks, Telecommunications and Systems (NTS). These responsibilities include the installation and maintenance of projectors, smartboards, projection screens, speakers, DVD players and similar devices in classrooms and presentation spaces. They also include providing media support for College events. To facilitate these changes, Media Technology Manager Anthony Liccardi has joined NTS and now reports to NTS Director Vince Di Scipio.
These changes will allow us to leverage the NTS group’s considerable experience in equipment installation and support. This will be particularly useful as IT looks to pay increased attention to campus classrooms, meeting rooms and presentation spaces. These changes are also intended to free Instructional Technology of these responsibilities, so that that department can focus more attention on learning space design, the evaluation of new technologies and their pedagogical implications, the provision of new services to faculty and to students, and the provision of more direct support for faculty in the effective use of technology in teaching and learning.
The Office of Information Technology is grateful to Vince and to Anthony for their roles in this transition and is confident that these changes will ultimately enhance the quality of IT services.