MediaTech Project Updateshttp://www.cmu.edu/computing/class-event/MediaTech Project UpdatesGates 4301 Offers Exceptional Classroom Experiencehttp://www.cmu.edu/computing/class-event//news/gates4301.html


The room boasts both surround and tactile sound systems.  When surround sound-encoded media or equipment is used, the audio envelops the classroom.  The optional tactile sound feature resonates through the floor via ultra low frequency waves, some below the human hearing threshold.  With two human senses being stimulated, sound is experienced on a new level.

For a demonstration of this unique classroom, contact MediaTech at mediatech@cmu.edu.  See the Surround and Tactile Sound in Gates 4301 document for steps on using the equipment.

]]>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMTFall 2009 Highlightshttp://www.cmu.edu/computing/class-event//news/highlights-fall09.html

  • Clickers classroom response technology is now available in all large Enrollment controlled classrooms and auditoriums. Throughout the summer 2010, Clickers will also be installed in the small Enrollment controlled classrooms. In the meantime, faculty members who would like to use Clickers in small Enrollment controlled classrooms should contact MediaTech at mediatech@andrew.cmu.edu to arrange installation.

    It's not too late to borrow an Instructor Kit to test drive this new technology.  Please visit www.cmu.edu/teaching/clickers/ for complete details.

  • The Gates and Hillman Centers are home to 26 new media-rich facilities.  These teaching spaces were developed through a collaborative effort between MediaTech and the School of Computer Science (SCS). Of the 26 spaces, eight are designated as Enrollment controlled teaching spaces; and the remaining 18 facilities for specific SCS applications.  This collaboration effort produced integrated teaching spaces that offer both the familiarity of MediaTech campus-wide standards as well as specific SCS faculty user requirements.

  • Computer upgrades and lectern redesign in large classrooms and auditoriums.  New Dell computers have been installed for ease of use and functionality.  Additionally, the lecterns were redesigned to improve accessibility to card reader and USB ports.  This included a complete refresh of the equipment in Margaret Morrison A14 in response to the spring flooding.

  • Document camera software is now installed on large classroom and auditorium computers.  This software allows you to save, freeze and rotate document camera images.  Please visit www.cmu.edu/computing/class-event/help/doccam/ for complete instructions.

  • Updated Classroom Equipment Guides and Posters are available in all Enrollment controlled classrooms and auditoriums.  For your convenience, these help documents are also available online at www.cmu.edu/computing/mediatech/help/.

Join us at one of our fall Open House sessions to explore these new options and request a demonstration.
]]>Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:59:59 GMTFall 2009 Media Technology Open Househttp://www.cmu.edu/computing/class-event//news/openhouse.htmlDAY: Wednesday
DATE & TIME: August 19, 2009, 9:00 a.m. - Noon
LOCATION: Gates and Hillman Centers 4211 (small classroom)
       
DAY: Thursday
DATE & TIME: August 20, 2009, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Gates and Hillman Centers 4301 (auditorium)

MediaTech is hosting two open house sessions for all instructors to explore the new classrooms in the recently completed Gates & Hillman Centers. 

For more information, please visit http://www.cmu.edu/computing/news/general/2009/aug/081209openhouse.html or contact MediaTech at x8-2430 or mediatech@andrew.cmu.edu.

]]>Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:30:00 GMT'Clickers at Carnegie Mellon' Coming Soonhttp://www.cmu.edu/computing/class-event//news/crs/072409update.htmlTier 1 classrooms.  A list of these rooms can be found at www.cmu.edu/computing/class-event/services/equipment.html.  Documentation will be available by August 3 to help guide faculty members in using the new technology.

Additionally, i>clicker technology will be available in three Tier 1 rooms in the new Gates Building, though these classrooms will not be available to faculty members until after the start of fall 2009 classes.  More information on these rooms will be posted as it becomes available.

Instructor kits are still available for faculty members to use in their offices as they prepare course lecture materials.  Each kit is comprised of a receiver, flash drive with software, one student remote and an instructor remote.  Kits can be borrowed from the MediaTech equipment office located in Cyert Hall A74.

To view the availability of these classrooms, please visit Space Quest.

For additional information, contact MediaTech at mediatech@andrew.cmu.edu.]]>Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:59:59 GMTGates/Hillman Complex Projecthttp://www.cmu.edu/computing/class-event//news/gates.html
This collaborative approach has integrated specific SCS faculty user requirements  with MediaTech's campus-wide standards for media-rich facilities.   As a result, this approach will simplify the transition for faculty members into the new building by  providing  continuity between other campus-wide classrooms.   Media equipment for this project has been ordered and components have been tested and inventoried. The media-rich lecterns are  currently being assembled in a recently created staging room and system programming is underway.  Equipment installation will begin as soon as building occupancy is granted.]]>Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:59:59 GMTClassroom Response System Implementation - Fall 2009http://www.cmu.edu/computing/class-event//news/crs/052609implement.htmlWe are pleased to announce that a decision has been made and plans are in place to implement the i>clicker classroom response system in lieu of the previously employed H-ITT system.   

The upgrade to i>clicker will be implemented in stages to minimize the risk of frequency overlap and to allow CRS technology to mature. Because the bulk of current faculty members who use this technology teach large classes, and because large classrooms are in a more distant proximity to each other, the initial installation of i>clicker will be in all Tier 1 large auditoriums. Faculty who want to use i>clicker in their Tier 2 classrooms should request installation through MediaTech. These installations will be closely monitored to assure that frequency overlap is not an issue.

By August 2010, we hope to have classroom response systems installed in all 87 classrooms. Preparation for these upgrades will begin on June 1, 2009; target dates and preparation tasks are included below:

  • Beginning June 1 and continuing throughout the year, faculty members may borrow Instructor Kits to use in their office as they prepare course lecture materials.  The kit is comprised of a receiver, instructor remote and a bag and can be borrowed from Media Technology Services Equipment Office in Cyert Hall A74.
  • Faculty can contact Media Technology Services at mediatech@andrew.cmu.edu for a one-hour overview of the system and for follow-up support as needed.
  • Faculty can also contact the Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence at 412-268-2896 to discuss and explore using i>clicker as a vehicle to: meaningfully engage students in a class; provide immediate feedback on students’ current level of understanding; identify students’ misconceptions; conduct in-class quizzes, etc. 
  • The Office of Technology for Education (OTE) will be working in concert with MediaTech to provide direct faculty support for the CRS system.  The OTE will provide faculty with one-on-one help in using the CRS software and with integrating CRS results in Blackboard.
  • The i>clicker receivers will be installed in Tier 1 large auditoriums and updated classroom documentation will be available by August 3, 2009.
  • Faculty who are scheduled to teach in a Tier 2 classroom and would like to use a classroom response system should contact Media Technology Services to arrange installation.

For additional information, contact MediaTech at mediatech@andrew.cmu.edu.

]]>Wed, 27 May 2009 15:59:59 GMTResults of May 2009 Vote to Vote! Presentationhttp://www.cmu.edu/computing/class-event//news/crs/052509results.htmlMany faculty members use classroom response to engage students in their classes. For the past year, Computing Services' MediaTech group has worked with our own faculty members to evaluate and select a standard product that meets broader campus instructional needs. On May 6, 2009, we continued our efforts to engage faculty through a CRS presentation of two products. Through this presentation, faculty was able to weigh in on the final decision of a classroom response system product. We received overwhelming support of i>clicker and are pleased to announce our plans to implement the product this summer in all Tier 1 large auditoriums.

The i>clicker system supports both Windows and Mac platforms virtually identically.  It also supports the concept of a course via its iGrader gradebook application, as well as a more automated process of roster building than our current system. The i>clicker system has a strong reliability track record—it is currently used in a 1200 seat auditorium at Cornell. Carnegie Mellon faculty members believe it to be the ideal choice to meet our broad campus instructional needs.

Beginning June 1 and continuing throughout the year, faculty members may borrow Instructor Kits to use in their offices as they prepare course lecture materials.  The kit is comprised of a receiver, instructor remote and a bag and can be borrowed from Media Technology Services Equipment Office in Cyert Hall A74.

We greatly value the feedback and support we have received from faculty and encourage additional input as we move into the implementation phase of this project.

For additional information and continual status updates on the i>clicker project, please visit http://www.cmu.edu/computing/class-event/news/crs/index.html.

]]>Wed, 27 May 2009 15:59:59 GMTVote to Vote!http://www.cmu.edu/computing/class-event//news/crs/050409vote.htmlFor the past year, Computing Services' MediaTech group has worked with faculty to evaluate and select a standard Classroom Response System (CRS) that meets broader campus instructional requirements. At this time, we have concluded our technical assessment of several viable replacements for the H-ITT system and have narrowed our choices to two products for faculty consideration; they are iClicker or Turning Point.

We greatly value and encourage your input as we finalize this selection of a CRS. To that end, please plan to attend, or send a representative to attend our “Vote to Vote” demonstration of these products. The demonstration will be held on Wednesday May 6, from 1-4 p.m. in Porter Hall 100. The Vote to Vote Demonstration will be divided into two segments: a meeting segment from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. and an Open House segment from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Pre-demonstration questions may be emailed to Pomona Valero.

Thank you for your interest and willingness to participate.

Additional Information

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