Greetings Colleagues,
As you may be aware, ITS has been busy this summer making updates, and I’m happy to introduce the Hybrid-Flex technology, now available in all HVCC classrooms. This technology will enable instructors to teach in front of a classroom with the added flexibility of Zoom integration with the instructor console. Anything shown to the class on a projector can now also be streamed to remote participants in Zoom!
What is Hybrid-Flex?
That’s just a fancy name given to a collection of tools that allow a faculty member to teach to an in-person audience, a remote audience, or both. The main thing you’ll notice is that there are now two displays in most classrooms.
The display on the left is a touch screen with a integrated high-quality camera and microphone. You don’t see the show’s real star, which is video capture technology that is now integrated inside the console.
The main features of this system are:
- Stream everything that you display on the projector to a zoom audience if you choose to. This could be useful if some students need to miss class due to illness/quarantine.
- Annotate in Zoom, Office and other annotatable apps on the touch screen monitor
- Record your lectures for later use/review.
- Prepare your presentation materials on the secondary monitor before displaying them to the screen using the primary monitor.
Where can I get some training?
The good news is that this new technology is easy to use. It just links tools we already use, so you won’t need much training! We’ve prepared a short video that highlights the new technology in action, and I’ve attached a quick start guide that also will be affixed to each instructor console.
If you want in-person training, we’ve got you covered. Click on this MS Bookings link and sign up for a 20-30 minute, small-group training session this week! (Please be sure to register to ensure a trainer shows up for your desired time slot.) Faculty mentors in the CET will also be trained on this technology to assist you, and you can always (518) 629-7364 to arrange a 1-on-1 training session in your classroom.
I don’t use Zoom in my classroom, so how will this impact me?
Even if you never launch a Zoom session from your class, you can use these upgrades to improve your experience. You’ll still be able to use the touch screen and all of the annotation features for your presentations, and you can record lectures or videos for later use.
If you have any questions, please contact the ITS helpdesk at (518) 629-7364.
Regards,
Jon
Jonathan R. Brennan
Chief Information Officer
(518) 629-4859
Published: Thu, 26 Aug 2021 12:05:59 +0000 by j.brennan