Over the last ten years, approximately 9 million dollars have been spent renovating rooms and improving technology in central teaching spaces in the Health Sciences. Our goal has been to improve what we offer to our faculty and students in terms of teaching spaces and equipment access. Some of these changes have been:
Podcasting - A420, D209, K069, S060, T639: Podcasting refers to the distribution of classroom lecture recordings to portable audio devices like iPods or computers. Students subscribe to lecture series by visiting a classroom portal webpage, and from that point forward the lecture recordings are automatically delivered to their computers or audio devices whenever new lectures become available on the server. We have been coordinating with Upper Campus Classroom Support Services to schedule the recordings and manage all of the technology in order to provide this new teaching strategy being used at the University of Washington.
Lecture hall renovations - RR134 (2003), D209 (2004), and T639 (2005), T435 (2007), T733 (2008):New podia, with additional control capabilities and new touch screen panels to access the controls, were built for these rooms. Improved audio-visual equipment, including installed data/video projectors, VCR’s, and new PA systems with both stationary and wireless lapel microphones were incorporated into the rooms. Large screens were installed so that either dual slide projection or computer projection would be possible. The rooms were painted, received new carpeting, and had new seating and wall treatments installed to improve the overall appearance and acoustics of the spaces.
Lab Renovations - (2003-2005):In 2003 and 2004 we purchased and installed new lab stools in our teaching labs on the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th floors. In addition, we replaced the stained, chipped, and cracked counter tops with new chemical and heat resistant tops. Finally, we installed new screens and had the labs re-painted to further improve the functionality and overall appearance of the rooms.
Replaced installed LCD projectors - in T439, T625, T733 (2008), T747 (2008), D209 (2008):The replacement of aging data projectors installed in Lecture Halls allowed us to provide high-end projectors that had a higher lumens rating and used lamps that produced excellent color uniformity and ultra high brightness. These units also have a temperature-warning indicator to let us know when the projector is too hot due to a blocked air intake, clogged air filter, or internal problem with the projector itself. This is very helpful as it alerts us that some kind of maintenance needs to be done.
Temporary installment of an LCD projector - in T739 until we can renovate the room in 2010:T739 is the last lecture hall to be renovated. Although we have not yet received funding for this, we want to provide the same access to technology as in our other lecture halls. In order to do this, we installed a temporary LCD projector in the projection booth, running raceway to the front of the room with a cable connection at the podium. The unit is powered on and off via a remote controller, which is attached to the podium.
Replaced overhead projectors - in A420 with new high intensity models (2004):Due to the size of A420 and the preference by instructors to leave the room lighting at the brightest setting, the overhead projectors were not sufficiently bright for our instructors’ teaching purposes. We found and installed high intensity overhead projectors that could be used in this room.
Academic Technology Advisory Committee - equipment & installations:PC (2009) and MAC (2008) laptops for checkout; LCD projectors for checkout (2008); upgraded A420, K069, T478, E212 (2005); T473 & T531 (2007); I132 (2009):We received Academic Technology Advisory Committee (A-TAC) funds for new equipment and to upgrade technology in some of our lecture halls and teaching spaces. We have purchased new PC and MAC laptops for checkout, LCD projectors for check out and new projectors for A420, K069, E212, T473, T478, T531, and I132. Each of these rooms have installed LCD projectors (including a 10,000 lumens machine in A420), audio-visual control panels, installed DVD/VCR combo units in A420 and K069, and both video and s-video connection capabilities in the other spaces. We also made additional improvements in A420 so that there would be a dedicated audio output in the wall at the back of the room for video tapings. In addition, in those spaces where the ethernet connection was located at the back or the side of the room, we moved them to the front for better accessibility.
New room scheduling software programs - (2003):In 2003 we implemented new room scheduling programs to reserve central teaching spaces both for courses and non-course events. The old program required a significant amount of manual data entry. With the new programs, and their interaction with the information contained in the Student Database, we have become more efficient at reserving rooms for courses, have been able to reduce the number of errors in room scheduling, and have been able to fit more courses into Health Sciences spaces than we were able to do using our previous methods & procedures.
Online Time Schedule Worksheets and online change forms - for course reservations (2005):The implementation of the new online Time Schedule Worksheets has streamlined how the course reservation process occurs. Prior to this system, curriculum coordinators would manually submit information and room preferences for each course. They would send this information to us, which we would manually enter in the Student Database. Now, the coordinators are able to enter all their information online. This information is downloaded into the Student Database, which is then downloaded to our room scheduling programs so that rooms can be reserved. A lot of time is saved and we are able to process the course reservations much quicker than in the past. We are working to modify the code of the online change forms created by Upper Campus so that coordinators will be able to submit course changes directly to us on our web site, allowing us to process the changes more efficiently.
Audience Response System - (2006):The Audience Response System (ARS) is a tool for interactive learning using hardware and software to “poll” audiences utilizing a wireless USB receiver and radio frequency response cards. In 2006 we purchased a portable ARS unit from Turning Technologies so that instructors could evaluate this technology. The unit is large enough for a 200-seat lecture hall, or small enough for a 20-person seminar. Once the ARS software is downloaded from Turning Technologies website, the program appears as an additional toolbar within PowerPoint. So, adding ARS questions, charts, & graphs is very similar to adding a photograph into your PowerPoint presentation. In addition, the system is very portable as the receiver is similar in size to many USB thumb drives and simply plugs into your laptop’s USB port. The instructors who have tested this system in their classes have been enthusiastic about the immediate response they receive from the students, as it provides them with feedback regarding the students’ level of understanding of the material being presented and a way for increased active participation by the students. Students purchase their own response cards from the bookstore and are able to use them in any class that has decided to use the Turning Technologies ARS technology. The response cards can be used the entire time the student attends school at the UW, as there are no quarterly fees.
Student Technology Fee - equipment checkout program (2005-2009):Multi-media technology has become an integral part of our teaching, presentation, and learning environment. This technology shift has increased the demand for students to utilize multi-media technology as part of their course and research work. Having access to equipment free of charge is crucial to the educational and professional development of students at our University. In 2004 we requested and received funding from the Student Technology Fee (STF) group to set up our student equipment checkout program in the Health Sciences Building, in cooperation with the Classroom Support Services STF Loan Program in Kane Hall. Starting in Autumn Quarter 2005 we had LCD projectors, PC & MAC laptops, Mini DV Camcorders, and CD Recorders available for student checkout. From 2005 - 2009 we requested and received further funding for additional equipment.
Wireless and Ethernet Capabilities - (2005): We had top priority on campus for installation of wireless through the Campus Wireless Initiative defined by the Provost in April of 2005.
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