Struggling%20With%20Classrooms

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Struggling With Classrooms

• Presented by Michael Rhoadarmer
• Media Systems Manager, Wheaton College

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Rule One

• The classroom is about teaching not about
  technology

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Principles of Design
Function
Form
Utility
Aesthetics
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Understanding the Process

• Buy In

Faculty
Approval
Deans
Architects
Build It
Admin.
Committee
Contractor
Budgeting
Provost
Director
Donor
VP
Technician
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What Faculty Want

• Every piece of equipment I might need
• The big green button
• No setup time before class
• Always available when Im teaching

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What Administrators Want

• Small budgets
• Installed during semester breaks
• Finished once and for all
• One size fits all

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What Technicians Want

• Fixes its self
• Easy to upgrade
• Little chance of user error
• Lots of money to do it right

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Reality of Technology

• It has lots of Buttons

It costs lots of Money

It needs lots of Electricity
It takes up lots of Space
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Classrooms, Form Follows Functions
Function
Form
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Classrooms, Form Follows Functions

• Put content onto a large screen

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Classrooms, Form Follows Functions

• Easy access to content

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Classrooms, Form Follows Functions

• Let faculty interact with content

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Classrooms, Form Follows Functions

• Need a place to put your notes

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Want Makes A Classroom Smart?

• Data Projector

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Want Makes A Classroom Smart?

• Data Projector
• Networked computers

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Want Is A Classroom Smart?

• Data Projector
• Networked computers
• Control System

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Want Is A Classroom Smart?

• Data Projector
• Networked computers
• Control System
• Discipline specific display equipment

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Want Is A Classroom Smart?

• Data Projector
• Networked computers
• Control System
• Discipline specific display equipment

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End Users and Control Systems
?

• What are people already used to?
• How much effort is required?
• How reliable is it?

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Touch Panels
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Simple Systems

• Control system with a few buttons
• Use the remotes for VCRs and DVDs

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Answer 1, The Teaching Desk
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Answer 2, Stick It in a Closet
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Answer 3, Wireless (sort of)
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Answer 4, The CART
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Our Latest Answer

• The Umbilical

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Our Latest Answer

• Mobile Teachers Desk

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Our Latest Answer

• Computer Support

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Our Latest Answer

• Large Racks

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Conclusions

• QUESTIONS?

Thank You