Tablets, iPads & Other Mobile Devices in the Classroom

The instructor workstations in classrooms are built to work with many types of mobile devices by connecting to an auxiliary input. All that is required is that you purchase and bring your own adapter (also referred to as dongle). In some classrooms, you may be able to connect wirelessly using an app.

Get Connected

Connecting with a Cable: Adapters for use with Apple mobile devices (iPhone, iPad):

• Lightning Digital AV Adapter
• Lightning to VGA or HDMI Adapter

Connecting with a Cable: Adapters for use with Android devices

• Micro USB to HDMI adapter
• Micro USB to VGA adapter

Check the classroom that you are teaching in to confirm which adapter will be needed by using the Virtual Tour of Campus Technology Equipped Classrooms. If you are still unsure, contact your departmental IT support or call 410-704-8324 (4TECH).

Using Devices without a Cable

Even if you don’t have the proper adapters to connect your device to the instructor’s workstation you can still display pictures or videos.

• Your recorded videos can be uploaded to YouTube for in-class viewing.
• Google provides the best instructions for getting videos from your phone or tablet onto YouTube.
• YouTube links can be embedded into Blackboard so your students can access your original content.
• Pictures can be transferred to the H: drive, OneDrive, or another cloud service.
• Once they are stored there, you can pull them up on just about any device that supports the particular file storage solution.

If all else fails, you can always use the document camera to display your mobile device’s screen to the class.

Using Apps to Connect Wireless Devices

The Office of Technology Services (OTS) currently supports several different wireless technologies. Any device used, with the exception of Chrome and Windows Remote Desktop, require hardware and possibly installation. Departments must request in advance if not already installed. Check the Virtual Tour of Campus Technology Equipped Classrooms to see what is available in your classroom.

Types of Supported Instructional Wireless Technology

To find out if the classroom, computer lab, or conference room has any of the devices listed below, review the "Wireless Projection" column on the Virtual Tour of Campus Technology Equipped Classrooms. Instructions for using this type of technology can be found on the "room page"of the virtual tour. 

mersive solstice Pod

The Solstice Pod by Mersive is a streaming media player that allows for wireless content sharing and full screen mirroring from iOS, Andriod, Mac, and Windows devices. An unlimited number of simultaneous users can instantly connect, share, and control the room display, fostering collaboration and decision-making. Clients must be connected to the tu-secure wireless network in order to present, and class participants can log in from a Web browser or from the Solstice client available from the App Store on your device. 

Crestron AirMedia

AirMedia allows you to wirelessly present documents and pictures from an iPhone, iPad, Android, or Windows device. It also allows sharing and collaboration of that content. Multiple devices can connect at the same time, and various views are available to present content from multiple devices at the same time. Class participants can log in from a Web browser to view what is being presented from their own mobile device.

Crestron AirMedia has been installed in all classrooms and computer labs in Burdick Hall and the Towson University in Northeastern Maryland building, as well as in various classrooms and computer labs across the Towson campus. 

MondoPad

A MondoPad is a giant touchscreen that has a built-in computer, camera, microphone and speakers. This technology has an App for mobile devices to connect wirelessly. Multiple class participants can view the screen of the MondoPad from a smart phone or one participant can take full control of the MondoPad from a laptop or tablet.

You sign into the MondoPad using your Towson NetID, just like any other computer on campus and can connect to it using the address and code provided at the top of the MondoPad screen when logged in.

Apple TV

Apple TV is a device that allows you to connect your iPhone or iPad and present a mirror of its screen through the display wirelessly. The Apple TV device must be connected with a physical network cable to the Towson network and with a HDMI cable to a computer, television, or monitor. You can connect to the Apple TV from your iPhone or iPad under your AirPlay device settings.

Apple TV requires an iPhone 4S or above or an iPad 3rd Generation or above with an iOS 7.1 operating system and above.

Chrome Remote Desktop

Chrome Remote Desktop uses the Google Chrome Internet browser to remotely connect to and control the Instructor workstation. You can share documents and pictures, or advance to the next slide of your presentation. You can even use Chrome Remote Desktop to remotely connect to your office computer from the instructor workstation. Chrome Remote desktop will work from a Mac to another Mac, from a Windows computer to a Mac, or from a Mac to a Windows computer. Regardless of the type of computer, all connections are fully secured.

Google Chrome Remote Desktop currently works in all classrooms and computer labs at Towson without any hardware or additional software needed.

Crestron XPanel

Crestron XPanel is a Website version of the physical Crestron control panel at the instructor workstation.

You can use this by connecting to the Towson Desktop on Virtual Workspace and using an Internet browser on your laptop or tablet to control the presentation. This is a useful option for those that cannot easily reach or see the physical Crestron Control panel at the instructor workstation. If you need to access the Crestron XPanel, contact Accessibility & Disability Services or call 410-704-8324 (4TECH).

Google Chromecast

Google Chromecast is a digital media player in the form of a dongle or adapter that plugs into a HDMI port of a television or monitor. You can then use mobile apps to connect wirelessly to that television or monitor and present or share documents and pictures. You can also use the Google Chrome Internet browser to mirror the contents of your personal Mac or Windows computer and Android devices.

Google Chromecast will not work on the Towson network at this time, but OTS is working on a way to resolve this. In the meantime, use one of the many wireless options detailed above.

Request Technology

Colleges and departments can submit a STF project request to have Mersive Solstice Pod, Crestron AirMedia, a Mondopad, or Apple TV installed in one of their spaces.