“Smart Classroom” Instructor Podium

What additional features will be available at this station?

• Preview of Crestron Next-Generation Control System Touch Panel
• Projecting from an iPhone, iPad, or other tablet
• Wireless iOS device projection through Apple TV

What technology will be available in my classroom?

For photos and a list of all equipment available in any smart classroom on campus, please see the OTS Virtual Tour of Campus Smart Classrooms: http://www.towson.edu/classroomtechnology/virtualtour/

For support and tips on using Smart Classrooms:
http://www.towson.edu/adminfinance/ots/support/facultystaff/classroomtech.asp

What if I have questions or need help using my Smart Classroom?

Contact your local Tech. Coordinator or contact OTS Classroom Technology Support staff members Jamie Hardin (jhardin@towson.edu) or Polley Adams (padams@towson.edu).

LanSchool Classroom Management Software

What is LanSchool?

LanSchool software allows an instructor to manage computer classrooms by providing tools that control student classroom Mac and Windows computers. LanSchool benefits and features include:

• Keeping students focus on instruction and reducing distractions such as the Internet, applications, USB/CD-ROM drives and printing
• Facilitating learning by allowing the teacher to share their screen or share student computer screens
• Helps keep students on task through real-time monitoring of their computers
• Get students’ attention by blanking out their computer screens and more
  

LanSchool is currently available in approximately 50 teaching classrooms on campus. For an alphabetical listing of teaching classrooms with LanSchool installed, see:
https://sp.towson.edu/sites/ctc/tulabs/Lists/TU%20LanSchool%20Channels%20and%20Licenses/RoomsList.aspx

How can I get started using this technology at Towson?

LanSchool is installed in classrooms at the discretion of colleges and departments. Contact the staff that manages the classrooms that you are teaching in for assistance or contact Jack Stark (jstark@towson.edu), the OTS LanSchool Coordinator.

Additional LanSchool Resources

For questions about LanSchool on Campus, see the FAQs at:
https://sp.towson.edu/sites/ctc/tulabs/Shared%20Documents/LanSchool%20FAQs.docx

For more details on the LanSchool product and user guides see: http://www.lanschool.com

Lanschool provides brief “how to” movie tutorials on each feature at: http://www.lanschool.com/support/tutorials

Videoconferencing, Web-Conferencing and Lecture Capture Solutions

What is videoconferencing and web-conferencing?

These tools provide ways for instructors and students or colleagues to communicate from separate locations. For example:

• Certain classrooms and conference rooms on campus have Polycom system installed, which provide two-way video and audio communication to other locations with Polycom hardware.
• Microsoft Lync software is available to all faculty on- and off-campus. Lync can be used for communication ranging from sending instant messages, to sharing documents and video among a group of participants.
• Cisco Jabber is software that allows faculty to connect to Polycom, Cisco, and other “room-based” video conference systems from a PC.
  

What is lecture capture?

Lecture capture tools can be used to record instructors (voice and video) as well as action on the instructors computer screen. The resulting videos can be posted online and used later for review or in future classes.

Some tools provide both web-conferencing and lecture capture for instructors.

How can I get started using this technology at Towson?

To conduct a web-conferencing or use lecture capture at my home or office computer:

Microsoft Lync is available for use by all faculty. For more information see http://www.towson.edu/webex or contact OTS Training (training@towson.edu or 410.704.4070.

WebEx is available campus-wide for a limited number of faculty. For more information see http://www.towson.edu/adminfinance/ots/trainingdoc/shr42-lync.asp or contact OTS Training (training@towson.edu or 410.704.4070.

To conduct a videoconference between my classroom and another classroom:

At this time, there is no single campus-wide solution for videoconferencing. OTS supports several solutions. To find out if products are available at your college, and before purchasing any additional products, please consult with your local Tech. Coordinator or contact OTS Classroom Technology Support staff members Jamie Hardin (jhardin@towson.edu) or Polley Adams (padams@towson.edu).

To capture my lecture and what I’m projecting on-campus in a classroom:

At this time, there is no single campus-wide solution for classroom-based lecture capture. OTS supports several solutions.

Instructors can schedule their classes in the Office of Academic Innovation’s Digital Media Classroom, as space permits. For more information see http://www.towson.edu/dmc

To find out if products are available at your college, and before purchasing any additional products, please consult with your local Tech. Coordinator or contact OTS Classroom Technology Support staff members Jamie Hardin (jhardin@towson.edu) or Polley Adams (padams@towson.edu).

Audience Response Systems (or Clickers)

What are audience response systems (or clickers)?

Clickers are hand-held devices. Teachers can use clickers to poll students before, during or after class. More recently, students can also submit responses through computers or mobile devices.

How can I get started using this technology at Towson?

At this time, there is no campus-wide solution for clickers. OTS supports several solutions. To find out if products are available at your college, and before purchasing any additional products, please consult with your local Tech. Coordinator or contact OTS Classroom Technology Support staff members Jamie Hardin (jhardin@towson.edu) or Polley Adams (padams@towson.edu).

Interactive Whiteboards

What are interactive whiteboards?

Students and instructors can interact with these displays or projected images connected to computers by using included pens or their fingers to annotate or manipulate content. 

How can I get started using this technology at Towson?

Interactive whiteboards are used mainly in the College of Education (COE). For more information from COE’s Education Innovation Lab see either SMART Board or Promethean here: http://edportfolio.wikispaces.com

To find out if products are available at your college, please consult with your local Tech. Coordinator or contact OTS Classroom Technology Support staff members Jamie Hardin (jhardin@towson.edu) or Polley Adams (padams@towson.edu).

Mobile Apps in Education

How can I get started using this technology at Towson?

For more information on using individual iPads on campus, see: http://www.towson.edu/adminfinance/ots/support/macipadguidelines.asp or contact Jack Stark (jstark@towson.edu) in OTS.

iPads for classroom use are being piloted around campus. However, though the potential is great for tablet use in classrooms, this technology is complex to use in this way. For use of iPad carts in the College of Education, contact Wendy Gibson (coe110@towson.edu). Before purchasing a set of iPads for use with students, contact Jack Stark (jstark@towson.edu) in OTS.

For information on the instructional uses of mobile apps, download the New Media Consortium’s 2012 Horizon Report here: http://www.nmc.org/publications/horizon-report-2012-higher-ed-edition

Windows 8

Windows 8 is Microsoft's latest computer operating system that introduces significant changes in the user interface aimed at touch-screen computers, laptops, and tablets. The two Windows 8 demonstration computers below are were used as the touch-screen demonstration in the Interactive Room.

Dell OptiPlex 9010 All-in-One Desktop Computer: This Dell computer model houses the computer tower (CPU) and a touch-screen monitor into a single case.

Standard Dell computer with a Dell 10-point Multi-touch Monitor: The multi-touch monitor on this computer connects to a standard computer, enabling the computer to utilize the touch-screen technology available in Windows 8.

Towson University Plan for Windows 8 Deployment

For details on plans for Windows 8 at Towson University, see the Daily Digest article:
Windows 8 is Out: OTS and Partners Charting Campus Deployment Strategy

For additional questions, concerns, or suggestions about Windows 8, please email Jack Stark (jstark@towson.edu).

3D Printer Makerbots from the College of Fine Arts and Communication

The College of Fine Arts and Communication exhibits work from its Object Lab, a digital fabrication lab. Students and industry partners collaborate with laser cutting, 3d scanning, cnc milling, and three 3d printers. For more information see: http://www.towson.edu/main/abouttu/newsroom/objectlab120711.asp

The University Store and Tiger Reels

The University Store sells a variety of instructional technologies to the campus community. Tiger Reels (next to the Store) provides a wide variety of DVD, Blue-Ray, and Wii Games rentals available FREE to TU students and faculty. For more information: http://www.towson.edu/adminfinance/auxservices/universitystore

Faculty/Staff Work at Home Microsoft Software Information (MEEC) program

Faculty and staff have the option, through the MEEC "Work at Home" licensing agreement, to purchase many software titles at significantly discounted prices for home use. For more information: http://www.towson.edu/adminfinance/ots/hardwaresoftware/facultystaff/meec.asp

The January Conference will take place on January 16, 2013 in the Chesapeake Rooms of the University Union.