Overview
Technologies in these classroom include a touch panel, a projector with projection screen or large display, a computer, a webcam with microphone, and a doc cam. There is some variation between classroom equipment and touchpanel layouts; however, they have been designed to provide a consistent experience across classroom spaces.
The touch panel allows the user to control all technologies from one interface. Touch panels do not require much pressure to operate but will not function while wearing gloves. Please DO NOT SPRAY THE TOUCHPANELS WITH CLEANERS as this will damage the screens.
To begin using the system, simply touch the screen of the touch panel.
The top row of buttons are the controls. The bottom row of buttons are sources that can be sent to the projection/display system.
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Projector/Display Controls
Press the Turn on button to start up the projector/display. A countdown will start on the touchpanel and it will take 15 seconds for the projector to be fully powered up. If the projector/display is already on then the On button will be grayed out and the options to either turn the projector off or mute the video is enabled.
The projector controls change based on whether the projector is powered on or off.
When the video is muted the projector will project a black image. The Mute video button’s background will blink red as a reminder the video is muted. Another press of the button will restore the video of the currently selected source. If you are transitioning between materials it is best to mute the projector instead of turning it off. Turning the projector off will start a 15-second timer. It will then take another 15 seconds, or more, for the projector to start back up again.
The red background of the Video Mute button means that it is enabled and the projector is displaying a black image.
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Dual Projectors/Displays
If you are in a room that uses dual projectors/displays, there will be a source button for the displays at the far left. Tapping this button will bring up menus for selecting sources for projector/display 1 and 2. If desired, this will allow you to send different sources to the two projectors/displays. Rooms with dual projectors: ALB 101, ALB 102, ALB 201, ALB 204, ED 141, REN 125, REN 126. Rooms with dual displays: ED 243, ED 442, ED 443. Please refer to the following article for more information on how those systems function: How do I operate dual displays?
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Volume and Microphones
Classrooms with wireless microphones will have multiple volume controls: one for the content (PC, HDMI, Blu-ray) playback, and one for each microphone. Otherwise, a single volume control for content volume will be displayed. The mute button backgrounds will flash red when active. Pushing the mute button again will un-mute the content audio or microphone.
The volume controls on the Main Page of the touch panel. Not all classrooms will have microphone volume controls.
Though all of these classrooms have microphones available on the webcam, larger classrooms have lavalier mics available and some also have handheld mics to support audience participation. Microphones can be found in the drawer of the lectern labeled MICROPHONE DRAWER. Rooms with microphones are as follows:
lavalier mic only: ALB 101, ALB 102, ALB 201, ALB 204, ED 141, CNR 010, EP 122, EP 209, MCCL 209, NIC 006, NIC 208, NIC 301, REN 125, REN 126, REN 127, TLC 022, TLC 028, TLC 029, TLC 031, TLC 032, TLC 040, TLC 041, TLC 044, TLC 045, TLC 222, TLC 248
A diagram of the lavalier mic in these classrooms
Turn on a microphone by holding the button on the top of the transmitter pack for two seconds, or until the green light comes on. Microphone volume control is on the main page of the touch panel. The microphone can be muted from the touch panel or by a short press on the button on the transmitter top. The light on the transmitter will turn amber when it is muted.
lavalier and handheld mics: AG SCI 106, JEB 104, LSS 277, REN 111, REN 112
These five large lecture halls with both the lavalier and handheld mics have the capability of selecting those microphones in Zoom as well. This is not the case in the rooms with only a lavalier mic. There are on/off power switches on these mics. For instructions on how to use with Zoom, see Using lecture hall microphones in Zoom.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO TURN MICS OFF AND RETURN THEM TO THE LECTERN DRAWER BEFORE LEAVING THE ROOM!
There is a battery charger with spare rechargeable microphone batteries in the lectern drawer. Squeeze the battery cover tabs to access the battery compartment.
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Screen Control
The Screen button is present in classrooms that allow control of the projection screen from the touch panel. The Up, Down, and Stop buttons mirror the controls on the wall switch located in every classroom. If the touchpanel in your classroom does not have these controls you will need to either find the wall controls or it has LCD displays equipped in the room.
Some classrooms allow the raising or lowering of the projection screen from the touch panel.
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Lighting Control
Some classrooms have the ability to control the room lighting via the touch panel. These buttons mirror the wall switch controls in the room.
Some classrooms allow the control of the room lights from the touch panel.
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Source Selection and Subpage Controls
Classroom sources are located on the bottom of the main page. When a source is selected on the touch panel, a subpage is displayed with additional controls.
The green button background on the bottom row will indicate what the projector is displaying.
If desired, the audio being played can be from a different source than the video being displayed on the projector. This can be accomplished by pressing the Audio select button. This will then display a window that will indicate the current audio source in green and allow a new source to be chosen. If a new source is selected to be displayed on the projector the audio will automatically be set to that source.
You can change the audio played through the classroom speakers. It will default to the same device that is displaying video.
On all sources except the PC, the video on the monitor can be changed from the current source to the PC and back again. To accomplish this press the Monitor select button and it will bring up the two options in a window.
At any time, you can bring up the PC on the lectern monitor only while showing the selected source to the class.
The Monitor select is replaced on the PC subpage by the Display mode button. This will allow you to use the Presenter View in PowerPoint to view the notes for the presentation while displaying the presentation to the class. You must be logged on to the computer to use this option.
PowerPoint's presenter view can be used on the classroom systems, but the control is through the touch panel.
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PC
The classroom computer has the same software as any of the Student Computing Labs on campus.
The PC control page.
The PC is set to log out automatically after 15 minutes of inactivity. A prompt will show up after 12 minutes of inactivity. Moving the mouse or pressing a key on the keyboard will remove this prompt. Active content, such as a Zoom meeting or video, will not count as inactivity in regards to this logout prompt.
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Document Camera
Wolfvision vSolution Cam
The physical controls on the document camera have been disabled. The camera zoom and light controls are along the bottom of the touch panel page. The Reset button is provided to reset all the settings on the document camera to default and can correct some issues experienced during usage.
The document camera control page.
If you are preparing materials for document camera use and want to display a whole sheet at once, make them in landscape instead of portrait aspect ratio.
Use the light control button on the touch panel to turn the light off and on. Selecting the document camera as a video source turns on the light.
Use the preview display (monitor or touch panel) to see exactly what your audience is seeing.
The document cameras in the classroom spaces have been updated with a Think Board surface. This is a dry erase surface to allow for handwritten notes to be seen by students clearly whether they are in person or remote.
Instructions for Using the Document Camera with Zoom
Please see the following article (How to use classroom document camera with Zoom) for detailed instructions on how to use the document camera in the general classrooms with Zoom.
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Blu-ray Player
The Blu-ray player in the lectern is available to play Blu-ray discs. You can also play other types of discs such as DVDs or CDs in the Blu-ray players. The Blu-ray players are only capable of playing region 1 DVDs and region A Blu-ray discs. To playback other international DVDs, please use the VLC player on the classroom computer.
Oppo BDP-103 Blu-ray player.
Selecting the Blu-ray source on the touch panel will display the player's menu. We suggest you not use any of the applications displayed along the bottom of the screen. The PC is a better option to run these as the interface is more user-friendly and you can be sure that your account credentials are not shared. The label below the disc icon will tell you whether a disc is loaded in the player or not.
Oppo Blu-ray player menu screen.
Many of the blu-ray controls will be unavailable and thus grayed out until a disc is read by the player.
The blu-ray control page. Most controls are not available until a disc is read.
Once a disc has been read, full functionality of the player is available. Basic controls are aligned along the bottom of the panel and menu navigation and more advanced controls are on the right of the screen. Please remember to remove your disc before you log off the touch panel as the player will be turned off at that time.
All controls will be available when a disc is inserted into the player.
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HDMI Input
There is an HDMI port on the top of the lectern for using an external device, such as a laptop or iPad, with the classroom system. Please use the HDMI button for any device that is outputting HDMI, DisplayPort or Thunderbolt. An adapter will be needed for DisplayPort and Thunderbolt to HDMI. Cables are not provided in the classrooms as they tend to be taken; you should plan to bring your own cable to the classroom.
The HDMI control page.
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Analog Input
The Analog input on the top of the lectern can accept VGA video and 3.5mm (mini/headphone) analog stereo audio. VGA cables are not provided. Note that the analog video input will not be available in future classroom designs as the technology is being phased out.
The Analog input control page.
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Wireless Presentation Remote
All University of Idaho technology-enhanced classrooms are supplied with wireless RF handheld presentation controller. The same model is installed in most classrooms.
Button functions of the wireless presenter remotes.
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Logout
Every instructor is required to shut down the system after their class period has ended using the EXIT Log Out button and verifying the shut down with Yes. The control system will automatically log the computer off 15 seconds after the touch panel has exited for most systems. The projector video will be muted. If another instructor does not start the system within 15 minutes, all classroom equipment will be turned off, including the projector. Please leave the projector on for the next instructor to reduce wear on the system.
The system will ask if you want to shut down. Please save any changes made and remove all media before accepting.
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Classroom Help
eHelp Button
If you are experiencing an issue with the classroom equipment in a general classroom scheduled by the registrar's office there are multiple methods of requesting prompt help from the nearest ITS TSP or Local Support technician. On most classroom touchpanels you can press the eHelp button to open a keyboard. Type in a short description of the issue and press Send. If you are logged into the classroom Windows PC, your user name is automatically filled in. If not, please press in the Username field and type in your NetID before sending your help message. This will send your help request to a centralized system that will notify the nearest TSP for assistance.
Use the eHelp button to enter and send a help message to the nearest TSP.
Requesting Help via Ticket
If you are in a room that does not have a touch panel with an eHelp button you can log into the computer click on the Classroom eHelp shortcut, with the big yellow question mark, on the desktop. This will present you with a form to request help in the classroom. If you find yourself here after searching for a way to get help in your classroom you can press the button below to access the form.
Note: if the computer does not have the eHelp shortcut then it has not been designated for immediate response and, most likely, provided by by the department not ITS.
Request classroom technology help
Help via Phone
Finally you can request classroom assistance by calling 208-885-0570. Note that this method is generally the least effective method of contacting a TSP for help. It is recommended to use one of the two methods above, if possible.
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