"Do you have any comments concerning the difficulty or ease of using ClassTech rooms ?"
"The doc camera and table are in awkward positions in this classroom. It is difficult to write and teach at the same time. Being slightly above average in height (6' 1"), the position of the table for the doc camera was far too low for me." "They're great--the touch screen control panels are intuitive and easy to use. The only down side is that you can't have one technology "visible," such as a document via the document camera, while playing music from the desktop computer (ie, the toggle switch can't toggle visual and aural inputs independently)" Almost everyday when I came into the classroom the professor in the room before me had left the projector and document camera on. Occasionally, he was still logged into the computer. Perhaps more noticeable reminders to people that they should, out of courtesy and economy, turn these systems off after they are through with them would be advisable. Couldn't figure out how to get the sound to work. The control on the lectern had the ability to mute, but no volume control. And the computer volume control wouldn't make it any louder than just barely audible. I also could not figure out how to get the screen to come down, since this control is separate from the others. Easy Emergency room lights are right in front of the screen. These lights, of course, cannot be turned off. They degrade the presentation of photographs and other graphics on the screen. Everything works fine and there have not been any dramatic breakdowns such as projector bulb yet. Everything works well. For the most part use is straightforward. On occasion the computer has been turned off and it takes quite awhile to boot up. Generally, it is easy to use. I experienced several times difficulties with my USB key. At least I think it is due to my USB key. After the session and after I unplugged the USB key, my account was not shutting down correctly and I had to restart the computer. I think this happens three times. It might be that the computer had difficulties with my USB key that I use primarily on a Mac, but I have actually no clue. I thought I just inform you about this. I found it very easy to use. I had problems with the DVD player in my ClassTech room this semester, and was unable to get any meaningful help resolving these when calling the helpline. As a result, I had to play a DVD using the classroom computer, which resulted in a lower sound volume than I would've liked. I have found the classroom to be relatively easy to use. I have been particular impressed with the speed with which help arrived when I had difficulties. When you are in the middle of a class and something doesn't work this rapid response is essential. I have found the tech support and tutorials to be very helpful I was extremely happy with the Class Tech rooms which are infinitely better than the classrooms in Harrelson where I taught for 41 years. I am about to retire, so my preferences, e.g. for VHS machines, are not relevant for next year. I would find it extraordinarily inconvenient to have to boot up my laptop before class, log off after class. The current set-up is so much more convenient. I've had a problem with the system when the person teaching in the room before me has left the projector on and wonder whether something could be done to make it clear that the projector should be turned off when one is finished using it. (A large sign on the table was repeatedly ignored.) In 1025 EB2 and 1021 EB2 the projector is trained on the screen over the white boards limiting the white board space if the projector is in use. There is another screen available in both rooms. I would like to see the projector trained on that screen so that I can project reference materials while using the white board. The current configuration is very limiting. In BOS 2722, I will appreciate if the angle of the projector is lifted slightly. In each class, I combine usage of both the projector and the white board. Therefore, it is imperative that I be able to use both, without one interfering with the other. I adjust the screen such that its lower edge is in line with the top of the white board. This allow me to easily use the board without bumping my head against the screen or having a portion of the projected image spilling on to the Initially, PCs didn't have East Asian Language Packs so my PowerPoint and document didn't show properly. Instructors need administrative rights for the computers in their classrooms. Many times, I wanted to show video clips using the internet. The software needed to be updated. Since I did not have administrative rights to the computer, I could not update the software. Also, the telephone in the room does not work. So, I could not easily call for help. When I found a working phone and called for help, no one answered the telephone at the help desk. This was extremely frustrating! It has gotten much easier and better in the last three years. Or maybe I have just gotten used to it. It took some time for me to figure out how to work with the equipment. I suggest having a manual or instruction available, or, at least, provide the name of the contact person to call. I felt there was nobody to supervise this room. Also, I suggest updating software of the computer provided in the lectern. I was not able to play some video materials because of outdated drives and programs. It was easy to figure out how to get the systems going. It was great. It's convenient to use the projector and camera. Keep a computer please...you never know when a laptop will be incompatible with a system (unexpectedly) or when difficulties with the normal laptop occur and the computer is available as a backup....ALSO, if I am carrying a lot of stuff to class (papers, etc) I do NOT want to try to carry the laptop too. There is no easy access for a cart to get to the front of the room so a cart with all the stuff on it has limited value. Keep up the good work! Love them! My only problem is with the layout, and I'm not sure there are any easy solutions to it--the room is so narrow and small. I always sort of felt jammed up in one corner using the tech stuff, but again, I'm not sure how to address that. No No No problem - except that the remote control for the overhead display was defunct, I had to push the button on the machine itself to start it up & turn it off. No problems for me, although the lamp in the projector was about dead and I did not realize it . . . I just thought I had to turn off the lights to see the image in a satisfactory way. Toward the end of the semester the bulb was replaced (someone brighter than I asked for it), and it made a big difference. No, I should take advantage of more tech. Not difficult, very convenient Now very easy (simple AND reliable) Overall excellent. I taught at 8 a.m., so I learned early on that re-booting the computer before class would prevent most problems. See above comments! in question #3b See below. Sometimes the equipment is not compatible with commercially available DVDs. University's ability to transfer VHS to DVD is severely limited. The classrooms are extremely easy to use when everything is working well, whichh is the vast majority of the time. The equipment in Bostian 2722 does have the annoying habit of blacking out the screen for a about 5 seconds 10 seconds or so after you switch from one form of input to the system from another (i.e., switching from a Powerpoint presentation on the computer to a video in the VHS). This seems to be driven by the controls on the desk top touch screen control pad. The computers take forever to boot (about 5 minutes) and often times I find them turned off and I have to waste 5 minutes to wait for them to boot. Also, sometimes they crash, followed by another 5 minutes to boot. The document camera in Winston 114 is on its last legs--auto focus is constantly readjusting (I have to turn it off) and it seems generally flaky. The equipment worked more reliably this year than last, when I also taught in this room. The permanent room equipment is very convenient. Portable equipment is awkward. The speakers seem to work off and on, and my students complained that they couldn't hear in the back--even though the volume was as high as it goes. There were times around semester start-up, when logging into the system and pulling up my files was extremely slow. Otherwise, things worked very well. They are pretty convenient. This classroom was very easy to use. This room worked great for me. Thanks! This semester I had fewer problems than ever before, but I did have to deal with students/professors who used the equipment in a class before mine either turning the computer off or messing around with it so that I had to call the help desk. Unnecessarily difficult to activate clicker program, and am still trying to figure out how to save the record files. Very easy to use. We have problems with mic batteries What I used was easy to use. When things work, fine. Wireless mouse disappeared halfway through the semester, this had made using the tech room much easier since I could move around. Need chairs that are higher for the instructor since the lecturn is high. Would be helpful to have a way to call someone when there in a problem, especially for evening classes. My students had to practice presentations, and the system wasn't working one evening. . .so we had no way to do the work needed. YES: approximately 5 times during the semester the computer chose to re-boot in the middle of my lecture (often when I hadn't touched anything and was nowhere near it). The rebooting took a considerable amount of time in most cases, causing a significant disruption to the class time. This was frustrating the times it happened (though I was able to work around it). Yes. The provided technology was quite simple to operate, thanks to the technology control panel. Integration of the above-mentioned technologies as well as room light controls was appreciated. easy to use it was easy it was very easy and very helpful! no none only the wireless access has from time to time been a problem. sometimes it was OFF. the wireless remote/mouse did not work well for most of the semester (not charged properly?)
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