February 26,2010 Presented by Rob Kennedy and Jason Oakey

Technology should make our lives easier…

Technology should not cause apprehension and worry.

Getting started…  Know the technology available to you.  Use that technology to your advantage.  Educate with its abilities.

What's in our classrooms?  Basic Mediation  Projector  Screen  Computer  DVD/VCR  Document camera  Lap top connection  Desktop selector  Computer speakers

Projectors  Several brands and models deployed  Moving to one brand for flexibility as well as continuity.  Resolution limitations vs. cost

Switchers  Extron MLC206  Most basic of switchers  Talks directly with the projector

DVDs and VCRs  An epidemic with no vaccine.  The medium is no longer sustainable  Existing machines are of poor quality  Higher quality DVD drives in our PCs  Actively working toward an archival option that promotes ease of use as well as security.

 Advanced mediation These provide all of the attributes of a basically mediated classroom plus these added advantages:  Automatic Screen  Recessed in wall speakers  Crestron touch panel for room control. This allows light dimming and input switching with a graphical user interface.  SMARTboards

SMART Technology  Currently SMART Technology is in place in more than 20 locations on campus  Group Training through CTLE  Individual Training Through ITS  We are investigating its use on a broader scale

Video Conferencing  Three systems available  MGH213 and MGH110  Weekly class using remote learning for Anesthesiology  Room is booked through Elisa in ITS to not interfere with the class schedule.  One portable system available for campus flexibility

WHERE WE ARE vs. WHERE WE ARE GOING

The Numbers What we Currently Support

Just the Facts… Campus Mediated Facilities Mediated Classrooms 72

Just the Facts… Campus Mediated Facilities Mediated Computer Labs 26

Just the Facts… Campus Mediated Facilities Mediated Conference Rooms 22

Just the Facts… Campus Mediated Facilities Observation Rooms 19

Just the Facts… Campus Mediated Facilities Other Mediated Facilities 17 Ballrooms / Dining Theaters Multi Purpose Rooms Digital Signage

Just the Facts… Campus Mediated Facilities Total Mediated Facilities 161

Just the Facts… Campus Mediated Facilities Total Mediated Facilities 200 Add Science Center Facilities +

Just the Facts… Campus Equipment Equipment

Just the Facts… Campus Equipment LCD Projectors LCD Panels Crestron Control Systems Extron Control Systems Televisions Digital Signage Systems SMART Boards Video Conference Systems DVD’s / VCR’s Document Cameras Audio Mixer/Processors Amplifiers Video Cameras Matrix Switchers

Wow!

How do we maintain and keep track of all this equipment, with a staff of only ?

GOOD PLANNING and SERVICE is key…  Scheduled Maintenance and Replacement  Technology Support Center (TSC)  Equipment Database  Planning for Sustainability

Scheduled Maintenance  Winter  Clean Projector filters  Operation Check  Summer  Clean Projector Filters  Operation Check  Replacements / Upgrades

Technology Support Center  All calls are logged in FootPrints  This is our most accurate, and up to the minute form of communication.  Tracks and Sorts Priority Issues.  Maintains a Historical Database.  Trained Student Staff (First line of Defenses)  We train the students  Access to the Equipment Database

Equipment Database  List of Facilities  List of Equipment  Equipment Directions  Room Photos  Room Schedules  Computer Software

Planning and Research  Prioritizing Replacements  Researching new Technologies  Creating a Sustainability Plan  5 – 7 year Replacement cycle  Solving the laptop dilemma  Switchers and Scalers  Remote Access

5-7 Year Replacement Cycle  Everything has a life cycle  Must assess components age and abilities  Staggered replacement  Helps offset costs  Helps us attain a total life cycle of the technology in our classrooms. Meaning everything would have been replaced by the end of a given cycle.  We hope for this to become 5-7 years.

Projectors  Replace Every Years  2-3 Year Warranty  2000 hours per Lamp  Dim over time  Resolutions Change  1024 x 768 (Current Resolution Supported)  Inputs Change

DVD/VCR Players  Inexpensive Units (3 – 5 Years)  Made from low end parts  No fan to circulate the air  Chalk settles on the laser  Laser overheats  “Unknown Disc”  VHS tapes  Old, Dirty and Tightly Wound

Document Cameras  Replace Every 5 – 7 Years  Always On  Low Resolution  S-VHS output  Capable of 1024 x 768  No third input on the projector

Remote Access  Monitor Equipment  Turn off equipment at Night  Check Lamp Hours  Record use of Equipment  (Requires Server License)  Reset Equipment after Power Surges We expect this to be the new standard.

Remote Access  General Assistance  Start up of room equipment  Start Video Conferences  Remote Weekend Support We expect this to be the new standard.

Remote Access  Crestron Systems are current being programmed.  BRN, TDC and EST  Lamp Hours  Remote Assistance  Equipment Resets  Extron Systems will be piloted this summer.  MGH (second floor)

Useful Tips

Useful tip number 1…  The Virtue of patience…… Does it seem like the projector is acting up, not showing your image? Confidently switch between other inputs and back again to your preferred input. Many times the projector needs to be reminded what to do (or show).

Useful tip number 2…  Check your resolutions at the door ! When you create Power Point or other presentations be mindful of the supported resolutions in your classrooms and meeting spaces. In most cases 1280 x 768 with a 16:9 aspect ratio is the highest wide screen resolution we can currently support. Even though all of our classroom monitors have a 4:3 aspect ratio.

Useful tip number 3…  VLC Portable  Free Software  Installs on a thumb drive  Most Current Codecs

Useful tip number 3…  VLC Portable  Free Software  Installs on a thumb drive  Most Current Codecs

Useful tip number 4…  Turn OFF the projector when finished  They time out in only 5 minutes.  Wastes valuable lamp life. (approx: $350/Lamp)  Wastes energy  Burns the blue LCD panel

Questions ?