Information Technology Systems & Services
Enhanced Classroom Control Systems
A Pilot Study Aimed at Improving Classroom Technology
The ITSS Classroom Team has been investigating ways to improve the usability and functionality of both our basic technology suite (found in all general purpose classrooms with a capacity greater than 30 seats) and in the technology-enhanced MonH 108 classroom.
The team made several site visits to local colleges and to the Twin Cities campus to see what other colleges are doing. We also benefited greatly from a report Don Krueger, Director of Technology Labovitz School of Business and Economics, shared with us. Don has been investigating the same topic and has made numerous site visits in preparation for the new LSBE building.
A common thread among most of the classrooms at these other institutions is an increased ease of use due to a control module that eliminates individual remote controls and power switches. In some cases this control module is networked and monitored by a central station. In all cases this control module eliminates several steps in turning on power and/or selecting inputs and outputs for the LCD projector.
During the summer of 2005, ITSS implemented control module technology in:
- MonH 108 - technology-enhanced classroom
- MonH 203 - general purpose classroom with the standard technology suite
We were able to thoroughly test this technology within our support model and to see first hand how this might improve the usability of our classroom technology. The new systems have been very well received, and we have expanded our pilot to include the following general purpose, standard technology, classrooms:
In addition to the help from Don Kreuger, we also have received a great deal of help from Jim Gregory and the Office of Classroom Management on the Twin Cities Campus. We will continue to work with Jim's group so that we can benefit from their experience with this technology.
The new control systems offer a much easier control interface for faculty who are teaching in these rooms, remote monitoring and troubleshooting by classroom support staff, and, in the case of MonH 108, mobile control of classroom devices through a wireless remote control.
If you have questions, concerns, or ideas you would like to share about classroom technology, please email Jason Davis at jdavis@d.umn.edu.