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.
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 touch panel 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.
When the screen is touched it will ask you to select a System Mode. Presentation is meant for non-distance events and classes. Video Conference is meant for distance events and classes. Video Conference with Dual Presentation is meant for distance events and classes where you only want the presentation monitor to appear on the displays behind the podium.
The top row of buttons are the controls. The bottom row of buttons are sources that can be sent to the projection/display system or shared in Zoom.
Rooms are equipped with two cameras for video conferencing. To use a camera, you first need to open Zoom and turn the camera on in the Zoom toolbar. There are manual controls to move the camera manually. The rear camera (facing the podium) is equipped with auto-tracking and can follow the instructor throughout a lecture or be used manually from the touch panel to focus on different areas of the room. 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 screen. To enable Auto Tracking:
- Tap the Camera button on the touch panel
- Tap desired camera (turns green when on)
- If using camera rear tap Auto Tracking. The camera will then focus on you behind the lectern, and you can begin to move around to be sure it is working properly
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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.
Larger classrooms have lavalier mics available and some also have handheld mics to support audience participation. Microphones can be found below the lectern in a charging bay. Rooms with microphones are as follows:
lavalier mic only: FSB 107
lavalier mic and table mic: FSB 114
Turn on a microphone by using the on/off switch on the top of the transmitter pack. Table mics turn on automatically when removed from the charging bay. Microphone volume control is on the main page of the touch panel. The microphone can be muted from the touch panel.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO TURN MICS OFF AND RETURN THEM TO THE LECTERN CHARGING BAY. DO NOT REMOVE THE BATTERY PACK FROM THE MICROPHONE.
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Source Selection and Subpage Controls
Classroom/Zoom shared sources are located on the bottom of the main page.
The green button background on the bottom row will indicate what the display is displaying or what is being sent to Zoom.
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.
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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HDMI Input
There is an HDMI cable 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.
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
Help via Phone
You can request classroom assistance by calling 208-364-4587 (Boise) and 208-885-2741 (Moscow).
eHelp Button
If you are experiencing an issue with the classroom equipment 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 technician for assistance.
Use the eHelp button to enter and send a help message to the nearest tehcnician.
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