Come see the latest smart classroom technology on May 5, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. in ADM-142 and May 10, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. in PSB-166.  During the fall semester a working group of faculty and staff from IT Services and Facilities & Campus Services began working on a demonstration project to identify and develop standards for “smart classrooms” at UAA.  This project received funding from Vice Chancellor Ejigu and four classrooms (PSB-166, PSB-210, BMB-108 and ADM-142) are completed and operational.  

Each classroom is equipped with a smart lectern manufactured by Smart Technologies (www.smarttech.com), a ceiling-mounted multi-media projector, computer, DVD/VCR players, and document camera.  All devices are controllable via a touchpad mounted on the smart lectern.  Lecterns also employ a LCD tablet that acts as both a control center and an interactive smart board.  Finally, each classroom is set-up as a wireless hotspot on UAA’s wireless network allowing students and instructors to work wirelessly from their laptop computers.

Every effort has been made to make sure that these demonstration facilities are as accessible to instructors as possible.  We have avoided locking cabinets to improve instructor access and rely on video surveillance in each classroom for security.  Video surveillance consists of recordable video without audio that permits police to pursue those who might attempt to steal or vandalize equipment.

We hope you will join us during our open house and become familiar with this exciting new teaching technology.  The Smart Classroom Working Group has recently been given sub-committee status within the University Technology Council and will continue to work to improve overall classroom technology use and establish university standards.  If you have any questions please call the IT Services Call Center at 786-4646 option 3.