Overview
The technologies in these classrooms include a control panel at the lectern that enables sharing the PC, document camera, or another connected device to a projector or large display. These systems also include an auto-tracking camera, ceiling microphone, and two monitors on the lectern to support the use of Zoom. The touch panel experience is mostly the same as that with the Multimedia Classrooms. A notable difference (besides the camera controls explained below) is the End session button WILL NOT log you out of the computer, but it does power down all other technologies in the room. However, after tapping End Session and verifying that you are done with your session by tapping Yes, you will get a reminder on the touch panel "Please logout of the computer." See the following article for all other touch panel instructions: https://support.uidaho.edu/TDClient/40/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=2212.
The auto-tracking camera can follow the instructor throughout a lecture or be used manually from the touch panel to focus on different areas of the room. To use the camera, you first need to open Zoom and turn the camera on in the Zoom toolbar. The camera is programmed to focus on the person standing behind the lectern and then follow that person's movements throughout the room. This works very well with an active instructor who moves around, perhaps checking on students or pointing out things on the projection screen. If the camera does not appear to be auto-tracking,
- Tap the Camera button on the touch panel
- Tap Auto tracking (turns gold when on)
- The camera will then focus on you behind the lectern, and you can begin to move around to be sure it is working properly
- Be sure that USB Capture HDMI is selected as the camera in Zoom.
You can also use camera presets or control buttons on the touch panel if you want to focus on certain parts of the room.
- Tap Auto tracking to turn it off (turns gray when off)
- Use the presets on the right to see what shots are already programmed into the camera. Preset 1 (Home) is a wide shot of the lectern area while the other presets vary according to the room.
- Use the arrows and zoom in/out controls to adjust the camera shot
The benefit of the ceiling microphone in these classrooms is that speakers can be heard from anywhere in the room in Zoom. This enables the instructor to easily walk around the room without needing a lapel mic and makes it possible for students at a distance to hear students in the room when they are speaking as well. You will want to check that the ceiling microphone is selected in Zoom by using the up arrow next to Microphone Mute/Unmute button and clicking on Echo Cancelling Speakerphone (Zoom_Content Speakerphone).
The benefit of the two monitors in these classrooms is to improve the Zoom experience. A touch monitor serves as the primary monitor to allow annotation or use of the whiteboard in Zoom (or annotation in PowerPoint). The secondary standard monitor can be utilized for dragging content from the primary monitor that you need to focus on as an instructor (Zoom chat, preparing other content to share, etc.). 
To annotate in Zoom, first share the screen you want to annotate over.
- After you open the screen you want to annotate on, click the green Share Screen button in the the Zoom toolbar
- Select the screen you want to share
- Click Share
- Click the Annotate button in the Zoom toolbar
- Click More if you want to Enable Annotation for Others or Hide Names of Annotators (Optional)
- Use the stylus provided at the lectern (attached to the touch monitor with a expandable tether) and the annotation tools to annotate on the touch monitor. To learn more about using Zoom annotation tools, see this article.
- After you open the PowerPoint you want to annotate on, click the green Share Screen button in the the Zoom toolbar
- Select the PowerPoint screen you want to share
- Click Share
- After beginning your slideshow in PowerPoint, use the toolbar at the bottom left to select the pen. Choose pen/highlighter and the color. Use the stylus provided at the lectern (attached to the touch monitor with a expandable tether) to annotate on the touch monitor.
As of Spring '22, there are many new features in the Zoom whiteboard that you may want to explore. The benefits of the Zoom whiteboard over a document camera are that you can use it collaboratively so that students are also able to add content. Sharing is also simpler since the Whiteboards button is right on the Zoom toolbar. Using the whiteboard through Zoom will better support students at a distance versus writing on the traditional whiteboard. The camera in the room will not show the writing on the traditional whiteboard as clearly, and the person writing on the board will be blocking some of the content as they write. You can now create Zoom whiteboards before class and use them collaboratively during a meeting or outside of a meeting. See this article for more details on everything you can do with Zoom whiteboards. To use Zoom whiteboards, with the touch monitor:
- Click on the Whiteboards button in the Zoom toolbar
- Use the down arrow next to All Participants can edit if you'd like to change the whiteboard sharing setting
- Select an existing whiteboard or click New Whiteboard to create a new one
- Click Open and Collaborate to begin using the whiteboard
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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 in the upper right to request assistance. Select the option that best fits your issue. 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. You can also request help through this link here: Request classroom technology help.
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.
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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