Click Here for the Virtual Tour of Campus Smart Classrooms

OTS provides classroom technology planning and design services and manages smart classroom renovation and renewal services provided by contractors. The Virtual Tour link above includes pictures and information on over 400 smart classrooms on campus.

Classroom Technology Support

Many colleges and departments have technical staff, lab managers, student workers, or graduate assistants who serve as a first point of contact for faculty who have problems with classroom audiovisual systems or computers. Signs or instructions are often posted near the instructor's podium in classrooms and computer-equipped teaching labs.

If you can't find instructions in the classroom, refer to the Virtual Tour, find your classroom, and select the Help button. If you still need assistance, call 410-704-5151, option 3 on the voice menu. Our staff will try to help or provide further information on who to go to.

If a problem can’t be resolved by phone, OTS may be able to assist with ground support when able, or will report problems to the technology person responsible for the particular room. However, please keep in mind we do not have a rapid-deployment guarantee at TU. Faculty should always have a “Plan B” if the technology doesn’t work.

Phase-In of Support by OTS for Smart Classrooms

OTS staff are currently fielding initial problem reports by phone for these buildings: Liberal Arts, Stephens, Lecture Hall, Linthicum Hall, Towson City Center, and Psychology Building 205, 206, 208, 407, and 507. Coverage will expand as the academic year progresses and newly hired staff take on additional responsibilities.

Click here for support information.

 

A comprehensive guide covers over 50 common issues encountered in smart classrooms. Click here to view the guide. Tip: open the bookmark navigation panel in Acrobat for fast navigation.

Smart Classroom Tips and Best Practices

This guide provides information on best practices and tips on how to get the most out of teaching in a smart classroom. Click here to view the guide.

Smart Classroom Alarm Quick Reference

Smart classrooms are equipped with audible alarms that are monitored by the Towson University Police Department. If the alarm sounds during class, please call the TU Police Department at 410-704-2133 and explain its an equipment alarm going off.

 

Preventative Maintenance for Smart Classroom Projectors

Twice-a-year preventative maintenance for smart classroom projectors (filter cleaning and aging lamp replacement) will be done in August and January and will continue annually. The objective is to ensure projectors are in optimal working order prior to the spring and fall semester and to identify and replace aging lamps to reduce the chances of burning out during classes.

Services will be provided by our on-call contractor. Multiple work crews will perform a building-by-building, campus-wide sweep. OTS CCLT staff will coordinate and supervise the work and communicate with college and departments regarding scheduling and access.

Note: Instructional spaces only will be covered with the preventative maintenance program; conference rooms and other non-instructional space will be serviced based on need.

Smart Classroom Planning

OTS provides planning, design and purchasing assistance for new smart classroom construction as well as for upgrades, replacement, and enhancements. Smart classroom technologies follow a set of university standards to ensure that the systems meet instructor needs and fit into the campus infrastructure. Contact Polley Adams, 410-704-3182 or padams@towson.edu.

Smart Classroom Technology Standards

The Office of Technology Services (OTS) works with stakeholders in the university community, vendors, manufacturers, and college/departmental technology staff to develop design standards for the audiovisual technology installed in Towson University’s nearly 400 smart classrooms that best meet the needs of the university.  For more information, click here.

New and Emerging Classroom and Computer Lab Technologies

OTS and its campus partners are continually exploring technologies that can be used in the classroom to support learning and teaching. Our general approach is to identify faculty and student needs, conduct small-scale pilots, and select solutions that fit well into the campus infrastructure. Many factors need to be considered including cost, ease of use, installation, compatibility, reliability, and scalability. Here are the things people have been asking about recently:

• Capture and Distribution ("Lecture Capture")
• Videoconferencing
• Touch Screen Monitors for Classroom Instructor Workstations (TBD)
• Windows 8 Computers in Classrooms and Labs (TBD)
• Using Tablets, iPads, and Other Mobile Devices in the Classroom (TBD)
• Audience Response Solutions ("Clickers")
• 3D Presentation Technology (TBD)
• Virtualization (TBD)
• Cloud Services (TBD)

• Mobile Devices and BYOD in Teaching Labs (TBD)

Projects Covered through Student Technology Fees

Departments that want to upgrade, renovate, or construct new smart classrooms or replace computers in computer labs or instructional classrooms may complete a proposal and request funds. Student Technology Fees are used to cover a variety of projects as well as repairs and maintenance, and a faculty committee convenes four times a year to review and approve project requests. Contact Polley Adams at padams@towson.edu for details.

 

Cycle	Advertise By	Due By	Approve By
1	Friday, 9/7/2012	Friday, 10/26/2012	Friday, 11/9/2012
2	Friday, 11/9/2012	Friday, 12/7/2012	Friday, 12/21/2012
3	Friday, 1/25/2013	Friday, 2/15/2013	Friday, 3/1/2013
4	Friday, 3/15/2013	Friday, 4/5/2013	Friday, 4/19/2013

 

• Process overview flowchart
• Examples of types of projects that may and may not qualify
• Guidelines for which categories of software qualify
• Items requiring Academic Committee for Technology (ACT) review

Computer Renewal for Smart Classroom and Computer Labs

Colleges or departments will no longer need to submit a written Classroom and Computer Lab Project Request for routine computer renewals effective FY13. A Project Request for computers is needed only for extraordinary requests such as expanding the number of computers in a lab, creating a brand new lab or classroom, adding or replacing printers, or requesting computers that are above and beyond the standard configuration (e.g., higher end models, additional memory, faster processor, etc.).

For more information and FAQ, click here.

 

Resources and Documentation

Guide:	Troubleshooting Guide for Classroom Technology (PDF)
Guide:	Tips, Suggestions, and Best Practices for Classroom Technology (PDF)
FAQ:	Coming Soon
Website:	Office of Technology Services Classroom and Computer Lab Technology
Website:	Faculty/Staff Help Center
Website:	Smart Room Virtual Tour (Pictures, Help Documents, etc)
Website:	Blackboard (LearnOnline)
Self-Help Resources:	OTS/CIAT-Developed Documents, Movies, etc.
Knowledge Base:	Office of Technology Services (Login Required for Some Services)

 

Resources for Internal IT Staff

 

Website:	Crestron Fusion RV (Login Required)
Guide:	Crestron Fusion RV Instructions (PDF)
Guide:	OTS Scope of Services for Computer Labs (Word)
Website:	Asset Works (Asset Tracking System)
Website	Tech Help (Work Tracking System)