One of Classroom Hotline’s major efforts this summer was switching systems for controlling and programming audiovisual technology in general-purpose classrooms. The team converted 37 rooms during the summer.
General-purpose classrooms are the main classrooms used by the College of Arts and Sciences. In total, Classroom Hotline manages 200 of them.
First new vendor in 25 years
This was the first time in 25 years that UNC-Chapel Hill changed providers of audiovisual control systems. In those 37 classrooms, Classroom Hotline replaced the AMX branded system with a new system by vendor Extron. The University determined that Extron would be best for reliability, support and future progression of general-purpose classrooms.
Whether you’re in the classroom as a student or instructor or you’re a staff member who rarely enters a classroom, you know what we’re talking about: those touchscreen panels at the podium that enable instructors — even those without any tech savviness — to operate displays, projectors, lighting, cameras, audio and other systems. It’s like instructors’ own air traffic control tower but without the stress or risk.
The new Extron control system consists of a 24-inch monitor and a 10-inch touch panel in each upgraded classroom. The AMX system used a single 17-inch touch screen that served as both the monitor and touch panel. Despite the difference in size, the look and feel of the tech are the same, meaning instructors won’t have to make a large adjustment in their teaching styles.
Easier to use and more stable
To avoid confusion for instructors and support staff, Classroom Hotline is upgrading to the new system building by building instead of scattering the new system in general-purpose classrooms here and there across campus.
Classroom Hotline expects to convert the remaining AMX rooms to Extron over the next four summers said Gina Reitz, Classroom Hotline’s Manager of Classroom Support and Learning Space Design.
To convert the systems, Classroom Hotline removes all original gear from the podium and equipment racks of each classroom and installed new Extron gear. Then, the team wires the new gear, programs it with Extron and debugs it. The last step is to ensure aspects like screens and lighting work with the new technology.
The switch from AMX to Extron has resulted in greater stability and ease of use for instructors and easier troubleshooting for Hotline staff, said Reitz.
Classroom makeovers
Two of the classrooms Classroom Hotline converted from AMX to Extron were Coker 201 and Greenlaw 101. In addition to gaining new AV control systems, those classrooms earned an entire overhaul. Classroom Hotline and UNC Facilities Services worked together to revamp the classrooms.
In Coker 201, Classroom Hotline added a new podium and a new equipment rack while Facilities painted and installed new flooring, seating, whiteboards and window shades.
Greenlaw 101, meanwhile, gained a new seamless video wall and new 86-inch display.
Wait, there’s more
As well as overhauling classrooms and switching to Extron, Classroom Hotline pulled out and replaced 200 classroom computers and 15 projection screens that were old and scheduled to be life-cycled. That’s the IT term for tracking, scheduling and replacing aging equipment.
Over the summer, Classroom Hotline also installed Listen Everywhere technology in 25 classrooms with assistance from ITS Wireless and Networking teams. Listen Everywhere is a system for assistive listening, language interpretation and streaming TV or video audio. It streams live or recorded audio over Wi-Fi to users’ smartphones, helping users to hear clearly and fully participate.
In one more notable summertime accomplishment, Classroom Hotline took over the management of Carolina Print Hub services from another unit within ITS Educational Technologies.
Moving Carolina Print Hub to Classroom Hotline allows for a faster onsite support model, since Classroom Hotline is located on campus inside the Undergraduate Library, as well as cross-training and backup support within the Hotline staff to provide better support to campus.
Pulled together, accomplished much
“All of this work took every single person here to accomplish, and we really kicked butt this summer,” Reitz said. “I love my team and how they have come together and grown despite a rough past year, new faces and new challenges. They all deserve a shout-out.”