From CUNY Academic Commons

Contents

Introduction

LaGuardia Community College is in the process of transforming every classroom into a smart classroom. We have established 4-Levels each with increasing capabilities. Level 3 and 4 will support lecture capturing in audio only or audio/video modes. We are currently building a prototype level-4 class room. This project will provide rich media content generation capability. Our plan is to work with iTunesU to provide the online distribution capability of in-house developed content. This document provides a description of the project objectives, scope of activity, and affected stakeholders.


Objectives

  • Demonstrate technology integration for future Smart Classrooms to support advanced multimedia (a.k.a. “rich media”) capabilities to encourage and support advancement of pedagogical techniques. See Attachment-A for description of different Smart classroom types, categorized as levels. Technology to be implemented includes:
    • Networked PC
    • PC Projector
    • Sound System (Speakers)
    • Document Camera (Planetary)
    • Lecture Capturing Devices (Digital Microphones and Video Cameras)
    • Computer Screen Capturing Software (Continuous and Snapshot)
    • Cable TV
    • Live Broadcast Over Network (streaming video)
    • Teleconferencing
    • Videoconferencing
    • Storage and distribution of captured audio/video (servers, software, and procedures)
  • Establish cost model for replicating the Level 4 technologies to other smart classrooms across the campus.
  • Build the prototype Podcasting Production & Video/Tele-Conferencing Smart Classroom (level 4) which will be made available as a teaching laboratory.
  • Level 4 – Smart-Classroom to be a multi-purpose media room available to all college stakeholders for all appropriate uses, such as meetings, presentations, technology training, and class room instruction.
  • Determine the levels of technical support, maintenance contracts, and spare parts to assure room’s maximum utilization and availability.


Scope

  • Pilot media distribution methods (online, flash drive, CD/DVD, etc.).
  • Evaluate and acquire hardware, software, and network equipment.
  • Redesign E503 to support the Level 4 capabilities.
  • Pilot faculty teaching scenarios with various configurations of technology usage
  • Test equipment capabilities, reliability, and ease of use.
  • Monitor and measure network bandwidth usage in various scenarios to establish need for controls or additional network equipment.
  • Create workshop and reference materials for DFL and other users of the Level 4 Smart Classroom.
  • Train pilot group of faculty (1-3) in how to use video cameras to record class lectures.
  • Train pilot group of staff (1-2) from External Affairs and ACE in how to record special events using rich media.
  • Develop best practices for rich media content generation and distribution
  • Work with iTunes to develop online distribution of in-house created multimedia content, for various program areas, including:
    • Credit and non-credit courses (lecture capture as well as custom developed rich media)
    • Student Services offerings and processes (admissions, registration, financial aid)**Student Orientation Podcasting
    • Media Studies Programming Development
    • Performing Arts Productions
    • Conferences, commencements, and other large events.
    • Technology Training Workshops
    • Online Tutorials (e.g, language acquisition, sexual harassment awareness, life skills matrix)
    • ePortfolio Integration
    • Linkage to recorded student originated content from existing web sites (learning communities, common reading, virtual interest groups, etc.)
    • Library of marketing and communications videos
  • Present Podcasting Production & Video/Tele-Conferencing Smart Classroom to stakeholders
  • Implement video conferencing technology and test with at least one other school or agency.


Stakeholders

  • Students –ability to download audio/video class material via iTunesU
  • Staff – ability to store and share personal or departmental knowledge (best practices, tools, techniques, procedures, etc.) across the college
  • Marketing – creation of rich media material for marketing purpose
  • Instructional Services– ability to produce and distribute audio/video based technology training workshops quickly and professionally
  • Faculty – participate in designing the Podcasting Production & Video/Tele-Conferencing Smart Classroom to meet their teaching needs and styles. They will have a controlled environment available for recording lessons (video/audio) for later distribution.