Skip to Navigation | Skip to Content

Facilities with Technology: Smart Classrooms

The Smart Classroom, also called a "digital" or "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
  • VCR/DVD players
  • Document cameras
  • Wireless mice
  • Lecterns designed to house this type of equipmente

Click here to access a PowerPoint Presentation for Calvin College's Smart Classrooms for 2008-2009
Click the above image to access a PowerPoint Presentation covering Smart Classrooms at Calvin College for
2009-2010

Also, see Troubleshooting Tips

Smart Classroom FAQ

What equipment is Calvin using in its Smart Classrooms for the 2009-2010 Academic Year?
Computer:
(With keyboard, monitor, & wired mouse)		 PC:   Dell Optiplex 760
Mac: 17" iMac

All systems have Internet and network connectivity.
Ceiling mounted data projector:
(with screen) 		Epson PowerLite 822p
Screen: Da-Lite 72" screen (with borders is actual 67" wide. With the Epson 822 the distance of the projector to screen can be from 94" to 113".)
Lecterns: Spectrum Furniture's Media Manager Lectern (now on Version 2)
and
Spectrum Furniture's Compact Presentation Lectern
and
Computer Comforts Universal "Hide-Away" Lectern
Document Camera: Epson ELPDC05 High Resolution Document Imager
DVD/VCR combo units:
(has cable TV connectivity) 		Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK
or
D-VR660: DVD Recorder/VCR Combo with Built-In Digital Tuner
Mouse:
(Wireless mouse)		 Gyration's Cordless Optical Air Mouse (GC1005M)
Speakers: Wall mounted: JBL Control 25-WH
Powered speakers:
Amplifier:
(For wall mounted speakers)		 TOA A903
Cable TV: Installed in all rooms, but you must have a tuner, which is contained in the VCR's (not all rooms have VCR's however). More details on getting cable TV.
Ability to project from a laptop: See this page on how to hook up your laptop to the new Media Manager Lectern.

See this section for Troubleshooting Tips & Tricks in regards to laptops.
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 5 cables through it:
    • 2 VGA
    • 1 S-video
    • 1 Data
    • 1 Power
  • A/V Cart:
    Bretford's Three-Shelf Adjustable AV Cart (example here)


A note on laser pointers:
Laser pointers are not in the Smart Classroom Standards, but several of the projectors' remotes have laser pointers built into them. Alternatively, if you would like to purchase one for yourself or your department, here are some possibilities:
Calvin's been doing the Smart Classroom projects for years...what are the different models of equipment out there?
Type
Brand
Model
Amplifiers TOA A903 MK2
TOA A903 MK2 UL
Extron DAV002
Crown GXLS202B
Crown GXLS402D
Crown XLS202A
Denon PMA 915R
Sony STR D4502
Document Cameras Epson ELPHDC04
Epson ELPHDC05
Elmo HV 3000XG
Elmo HV5100XG
Wolf Vision VZ 8 Plus
DVD Players Panasonic  AG DV2000
Panasonic  DVD S29
Panasonic  DVD S35
Panasonic  DVD RV30
Panasonic  DVD RV 32
JVC XV N40BKJ
JVC XV N412SJ
JVC XV N44SLJ3
Toshiba SD2715
Zenith DVB318
Zenith DVB412
Zenith DVB611

DVD/VCR
combination unit

Toshiba D-VR650

Mixers

 Ashly LX308B
Projectors Chrisholm 20 Series
Elmo HP4K DX
Epson  PowerLite 811
Epson PowerLite 821
Epson PowerLite 822p
NEC  VT 540
Mitsubishi XD300U
Mitsubishi XD400U
Mitsubishi XD60U
Sharp XG E1200U
Sharp XG E690U
Sharp XG E690UB
Sharp NV3XB
Sharp NV4SU
Sharp NV5XB
Sharp NV6XU
VCRs Panasonic  AG 1330
Panasonic  AG 1340P
Panasonic  AG 1350
Sony SLV 775HF
Sony SLV N70
Samsung SV 5000W
Zenith VCS342
Zenith VCS442
Sharp XA 705

Top

 
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

Fine Arts Center
Meeter Center
  

Top
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 KV)
  • Run and display rich media (Quicktime, Windows Media, Flash, MP3 files, other)
  • Display items from the Internet or from LAN drives
  • Play DVD's
  • Play VHS tapes
  • Play audio CD's
  • 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 w/in your classroom (by using the document camera as a conventional video camera)
  • Play cable TV
    (Assumes you have access to a VCR w/ a tuner in it)

See also this Smart Classroom PowerPoint presentation.

Top

 
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).

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

Top
Do you have a suggestion on how we could improve the Smart Classroom?

Make a suggestion.

 

Top

 
For FAC222 and rooms with Smart Boards...

Here is some documentation on how to get a large, blank white board that you can write on -- while still using the stylus. For example for the Smart Board in FAC222.

Also, check out these brief, two-minute tutorials -- from the SMART Training Center -- that offer various quick tips on the basics of SMART Board use. See http://smarttech.com/trainingcenter/tutorials.asp.

 
How can I get a Region-Free DVD player? (i.e. to play a DVD from another country)

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

    • 1st try:  InterVideo XPack (PC)

    • 2nd try: VLC Player (PC & Mac; downloadable, free, & cross-platform)