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Facilities with Technology: Smart Classrooms

The Smart Classroom, also called a digital, multimedia or new media classroom, is the standard for classrooms with technology on Calvin's campus. Smart Classrooms include all the necessary equipment to connect to the Internet, to the Calvin network, and display presentation material on a permanent screen using a ceiling mounted projector. These types of rooms are equipped with various pieces of equipment such as:

  • Projectors -- capable of showing either computer data or video-based images
  • Workstations with Internet connections
  • Sound systems
  • Document cameras
  • Wireless mice
  • Interactive whiteboards
  • Lecterns designed to house this type of equipment
  • Media control systems

Smart Classroom FAQ

 

What equipment is Calvin using in its Smart Classrooms for the 2011-2012 Academic Year?
Computer:
(With keyboard, monitor, & wired mouse)		 PC:   Dell Optiplex 790
Mac: 21.5" iMac

All systems have Internet and network connectivity.
Ceiling mounted data projector:
(with screen) 		PowerLite 905 Multimedia Projector for 4:3 viewing

PowerLite 915W Multimedia Projector for 16:10 / widescreen viewing

Epson BrightLink 455Wi Interactive Projector for interactive whiteboard functionality

Other projectors may be needed, pending the setup of the room/space.
Screen: Da-Lite 84" screen (for widescreen viewing)
Lecterns: Spectrum Furniture's Media Manager Lectern (now on Version 2)

Spectrum Furniture's Compact Presentation Lectern

Computer Comforts Universal "Hide-Away" Lectern
Document Camera: Epson ELPDC05, essentially an Elmo HV-5100XG High Resolution Visual Presenter
DVD/VCR combo units:
(has cable TV connectivity) 		Toshiba D-VR670: DVD Recorder/VCR Combo with Built-In Digital Tuner
Mouse:
(Wireless mouse)		 Gyration's Cordless Optical Air Mouse (GC1005M)
Speakers: Klipsch AW-525
Amplifier:
(For wall mounted speakers)		 TOA A903
Cable TV: Installed in all rooms, but you must have a VCR with a tuner to access it. More details on getting cable TV.
Misc:
  • Connections for laptop, Internet, Calvin's network
  • Closed captioning may be requested through Audio Visual
  • For SC's, conduit needs to be 1.5" to pull 4 cables through it:
    • 2 VGA
    • 1 Data
    • 1 Power
  • Bretford's Three-Shelf Adjustable AV Cart
Crestron media controller equipment:

Additional expense may be incurred by the department receiving this equipment.		 Crestron MPS-100: Presentation System
Crestron TPMC-4SM-B-S: Touch Panel
Crestron QM-RX: Quick Media Receiver
Crestron TTK-4SM-B-S: Table Top Dock
Crestron SMK-4SM: Swivel Mount Kif for TTK-4SM
Crestron PWE-4803RU: PoE Injector


Which rooms at Calvin are currently set up to be Smart Classrooms?

To see a complete list of Smart Classrooms click on the building link

Meeter Center
  

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What can I do with this equipment?

Here are some of the things that you can do with this equipment:

  • Run and display various software applications
  • Run and display various items from Web-based systems (such as Moodle)
  • Run and display rich media (Quicktime, Windows Media, Flash, MP3 files)
  • Display items from the Internet or from LAN drives
  • Play DVDs
  • Play VHS tapes
  • Play audio CDs
  • Hook up a laptop and display/listen to items from that laptop
  • Using a document camera, you can:
    • Display a 2D document/photo/illustration/piece of art
    • Display a 3D item
    • Project transparencies
    • Show video images of items within your classroom (by using the document camera as a conventional video camera)
  • Play cable TV

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What kind of support can you expect when using a Smart Classroom?

The HelpDesk spells out the levels of support it provides in a Service Level Agreement (SLA).

The SLA for Smart Spaces is currently being worked on; it will probably not be the same as for a Smart Classroom.

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How can I get a Region-Free DVD player?

Calvin College has standardized on the following software-based tools to offer region-free DVD players:

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