Distance learning rooms represent a unique kind of challenge compared to more conventional video conferencing rooms, partly because of the size of the rooms involved and partly because of the nature of interactions in a learning environment. Getting the design right in these environments is the key to natural interactions that allow faculty to utilize their preferred methods of teaching without being distracted by the technology involved.
Some key points that you should incorporate into the design of your classroom:
1. A digital learning room should be collaborative, a place where every student can share the data on their Laptops, Mobiles, Tablets etc with the class. The best way to achieve this is with a wireless presentation system like Crestron’s Airmedia or Kramer’s VIA Collage, which can be used to quickly switch the display between up to 40 sources. This can also be achieved with a wired switcher connected to desktop connectors.
2. The display quality should be True HD quality for viewing clarity and for more natural and lifelike video conferencing interactions. True HD conferencing at 1080p on a 60″ screen creates an extremely natural interaction environment, especially if we take care to ensure good eye contact with appropriate placement of the camera.
3. The room should have an integrated control system so that the professor can utilize his time teaching, rather than trying to struggle his way around with the technology in the classroom. This means that he/she can switch between up to 5 devices comfortably if needed (projector, visualizer, interactive board, laptop, etc). An iOS or Android tablet makes for the ideal and cost-effective control interface for such a system.
4. It should also support HD quality recording of all presentations along with presenter video and audio. Ideally, this requires at least two cameras to be installed in the room to capture the presenter and participants and also allows content from different sources to be combined to produce the recording. Storage of this content should allow for at least 2TB, accommodating recordings from longer events.
5. Streaming support should be incorporated to allow students to attend from mobile locations and mobile devices. Specialized streaming hardware like Crestron Capture HD, Extron SMP 351, allows for live, delayed and on-demand viewing of content and should be combined with the recording solutions mentioned above.
For more information on how your distance learning center can create more effective and intuitive learning sessions, contact Actis at 022-30808080 or write to contact@actis.co.in
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