Since last summer, has been upgrading the technology and accessibility resources in numerous registrar classrooms. Through its Learning Environments and Media Production (LEMP) group, ITS has a goal to upgrade 30 more learning spaces this coming summer to meet new technology and accessibility standards. LEMP supports more than 200 technology classrooms across campus.
The technology in 202 Hall of Languages makes it easy to use Blackboard Collaborate.
Notable classroom upgrades have been in and . “The classrooms now host the latest technology, and they got a major facelift thanks to . We replaced technology systems used by instructors and students,” says Mike O’Mara, director of LEMP. “The rooms are now equipped with high-definition projection and displays, Windows 10 computers, Blu-Ray players, web-based video conferencing, high-fidelity playback speaker systems and accessibility features.”
Instructors are pleased with the classrooms upgrades. Bruce Kingma, professor of entrepreneurship in the and and former provost for entrepreneurship and inovation, says the upgrades have been working well in his classrooms. “I have one guest Skype in,” he said. “This was simple and easy, and the speaker quality was clear.” Kingma teaches in this semester, another room whose technology was upgraded. Kingma records all class presentations using . He has noticed a significant improvement in the quality of the audio and video. “It’s wonderful to go into a classroom and simply start the Blackboard Collaborate recording and know the results will be good,” he says, “The sound, video and lighting are perfect.”
“Better technology helps create better classroom environments,” says Sam Scozzafava, vice president for information technology and chief information officer. “Technology has a powerful effect on teaching and learning, and ultimately, student success.”
Professors and instructors who need help adjusting to the new technology in their classrooms can call on O’Mara and his team. “Whenever we upgrade the technology, we reach out to instructors to do a quick start session,” he says. “This group session will teach instructors about the newly implemented systems and allow them to get hands-on and ask questions.” LEMP also offers one-on-one training, and help is available on . Of particular interest will be the .
For more information about ITS and LEMP .
