Model Technology Enhanced Classrooms

Model Technology Enhanced

Classroom Project at

Okanagan College

… or what I did on my summer vacation

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How I Feel Every Day

Okanagan College IT Steering Committee

IT Priorities: 1. Fix wireless 2. Wireless in classrooms 3. Improve wi-fi coverage 4. More wireless bandwidth 5. Easier access to wireless 6. Wi-fi for Macs & iPads 7. Solve wi-fi login issues 8. Fix wireless disconnects 9. Help instructors use

technology for teaching !

Help instructors use technology for teaching

The Task: Create a model technology classroom at each campus where instructors can become familiar with technologies already in use at OC.

Activity: Make a List

• Make a list of what technologies you would put in a model tech classroom at your campus.

Research & Development Phase

Standard OC Classroom

• ceiling mounted LCD projector • pull down projection screen • ceiling mounted speakers • cable bundle • power • VGA cable • network • audio

• VHS/DVD player • Overhead Projector

Non-standard Classroom Equipment

• Interactive Whiteboards - Smart and Epson Brightlink


• Document Cameras

AverVision 300p


• Webcams for Skype, BlueJeans, BB Collaborate

Logitech C920


• Wireless microphone for lecture capture audio


• Student response systems - ‘clickers’


• Connecting iPads and Android Tablets to the projector

What instructors have been asking for

• Better wireless in the classrooms

• wireless connection to the projector for instructors and students

• be able to display 2 different inputs at the same time (split screen or 2 screens?)

• a way to combine small enrolment classes at 2 campuses


France - fin de siècle


Chaplin - Modern Times

Support Constraints

• least requirement for software installation • minimize on-site tech service calls

Forward thinking

• BYOD trend for instructors

• impending demise of VGA • transition from analogue to digital connectors

Activity – Create a Budget

• Come up with a budget proposal for your model tech classroom – Something that

might have a chance of approval

OC MTEC Proposal

my rough list: • interactive whiteboard - smart or epson

($2000-$3000) • 2nd display - samsung 55-inch LED TV

($1000) • document camera

($500) • instructor computer (no cost - from existing IT stock) • webcam/speakerphone for Skype etc.

($200) • wireless USB mike for wandering lecture capture

($200) • free (or almost free) screencastomatic software for lecture capture • some kind of wireless system for getting student devices to the screens

($200) • some kind of HDMI matrix switcher to send various devices to either screen

($500) • total: $4600 - $5600 per classroom

OC MTEC Proposal

• $16,000 VC for Kelowna • $5000 x 4 classrooms • total: $36,000

OC MTEC Proposal

budget cycle: • submit Dec 6 • hear rumours April 1 • see actual money May 15 • ready for use Sept 1

Approval – what now?

• Start buying gear • Figure out what rooms

to turn into model tech classrooms

• talk to scheduling offices in Kelowna, Vernon, Salmon Arm & Penticton to identify suitable spaces

• goals: get as many instructors as possible into these classrooms • let instructors request the room when building the schedule • make sure there is sufficient free time for drop in and exploration

classroom selection - a study in conflicting priorities

significant confusion around process for requesting a classroom

Kelowna campus has serious shortage of available space


fully booked for classes is not compatible with readily available drop-in times

instructional support not easily available at smaller campuses


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equipment selection process

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Interactive Whiteboard - Smart or Epson Brightlink?


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Epson Brightlink

485Wi Interactive Projector

+ Epson 96-inch Whiteboard


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Samsung 55-inch LED display (3xHDMI inputs) w/ Chief wall mount


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Instructor Computer w/ video card for HDMI out to projector/TV

VGA to local display


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Standard Lenovo laptop

VGA to HDMI converter

various adapters: miniDisplayPort to VGA

miniDisplayPort to HDMI DisplayPort to HDMI

DVI to HDMI


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Epson DC-20 document camera

(HDMI out)

Logitech BCC-950 USB conference cam

RevoLabs xTag wireless

USB mic


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Edimax wireless HDMI transmitter/receiver

system

Gefen 4:2 HDMI matrix

switcher

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computer

laptop

document camera

wireless HDMI

switcher

interactive whiteboard

LED display

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3

4

1

2

How do signals get from one place to another?

Testing / documentation• Figuring out how things work

Discoveries: • HDMI switching delay • Can annotate over other

sources (but requires menu on remote)

• Document camera software too complex for untrained user

Installation Challenges

• Pre-conceived notions of how teaching works • “Why would the instructor want their

powerpoint on 2 screens at once?” • Ownership vs. standards

• 4 instructor workstations each set up in a different way

• 4 campuses of equal value = lowest common denominator

• Leave existing projection screens in place

Installation in-progress - D223 Vernon

User training

• Demos • connections • at each campus • 1:1 by request

Why would you want to use these technologies in your teaching? • collaboration • student engagement • flexibility

User training

• User guides

User training

• Video tutorials

http://www.okanagan.bc.ca/edtech

E208 Model Technology Classroom - Kelowna

E208 Model Technology Classroom - Kelowna

How to ignore all the technology in this room and use it like a regular classroom

Survey Results

Classrooms went into operation Sept. 1 2013

Survey conducted Dec. 2013

n= 47

Did you use the equipment in the model technology classroom this term?

No, I didn’t know there was a model technology classroom = 21

No, I was too busy this term = 7

No, the technology is not relevant to how I teach = 2

Yes, I went in when the classroom was not in use = 13

Yes, my class was scheduled in that room = 2

Overall yes = 33%

Overall no = 67%

47% of respondents were unaware there was a model technology classroom

20% heard about it, but didn’t try it

29% of respondents were scheduled into the room

general confusion about the process of requesting to be scheduled into a particular classroom

Did you use the tutorial materials posted?

No, I didn’t know they were there = 20

No, I just figured it out on my own = 4

Yes, I printed the user guide = 6

Yes, I watched the video tutorials = 1

Not applicable = 13

Overall yes = 20%

Overall no = 80%

of the 15 respondents who used the model tech classroom only 7 found and used the online tutorials. However paper copies of the user guide were posted in each model classroom

Which model classroom technologies did you use?

Two displays at the same time = 10

Document camera = 7

Interactive whiteboard = 6

Instructor workstation = 3

Wireless HDMI connection to projector = 2

Webconferencing = 1

limited use of new capabilities of model technology classroom

difficult to adapt teaching practices on the fly - requires significant time and guidance

Is the model technology classroom and effective way to provide an opportunity

to explore educational technologies?

Yes = 25

No = 3

Generally positive response to the intent of the project - even from those with no intention of using it

A selection of interesting comments:

What worked, what didn’t, what would you change?

I found it complicated. Setup was difficult. I had to get AV help at least five times this semester.

The wiring was so jumbled, and other users kept changing the plugs and settings.

Sometimes multiple display use seemed like overkill.

The document camera would be more useful if it was elevated so I could stand and see my class.

TV has a wide aspect ratio which doesn’t fit well with the usual course content.

What to do next?

• $8000/yr ongoing funding • clickers? • replace HDMI matrix to solve delay? • tidy up cable runs? • ???

Model Technology Enhanced Classrooms

Education

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