Using the MDCHS Classroom AV Systems

In MDC 155, 156, 157, and 159, the instructor station is equipped for lecture capture.

Every room has a laminated Classroom Technology Cheat sheet explaining how to use the equipment.

To use Microphones:

  • A handheld wireless microphone is available to be used for class interaction with people on the other end of a teleconference or if their questions need to be recorded in the lecture capture. It’s kept in the charging base in the drawer in the instructor station.
  • During lecture capture, the instructor can repeat a student’s question if the student is not speaking into the microphone.
  • There are microphones on the ceiling for capturing conversation throughout the room. Select “Discussion mode” on the touchscreen for this option. The system defaults to “Lecture Mode.”

TO use the PC:

  • Turn on the PC if it is not already on, or wake the PC by pressing the space bar.
  • The system control panel is on the desktop
  • Press anywhere on the screen and a number pad comes up.
  • Key in the four-digit access code, and press Enter. If you entered the wrong code, nothing will happen. To re-enter the access code, press the CLEAR key and try again.
  • Press the Power On/Off symbol to turn on the displays and monitors.
  • The system starts up with the PC selected, the main desktop on the left screen and the extended desktop on the right. This will be the normal operating mode for teaching in the room.
  • If you have a PowerPoint that will be seen on two screens, follow these instructions.
    • If you have a PowerPoint on one screen and will be using the Document Camera as a whiteboard
    • Open the slide-out shelf on the right of the podium
    • Unfold the camera arm so that the camera head is pointing at the whiteboard surface and press the power button on the camera.
    • Open the Epson Document Camera shortcut on the left of the PC desktop (double click on the icon) and the picture from the camera should appear in the software’s window.
      • If you are seeing a picture from one of the room cameras, click on the wrench-and-screwdriver icon in the top right of the window and in Settings, Video
      • Click on the dropdown menu and select the Epson ELPDC20.
        • The icon (next to the wrench icon) which looks like a computer monitor will make the document camera image fill the screen from top to bottom.
        • The bottom button on the menu on the side of the full screen image will return you to the opening window view.
        • Keep in mind that the document camera picture will only appear on the left screen, so a single-screen PowerPoint will have to be opened (from your U: drive or from a flash drive)  and slid over to the right screen.

To play a DVD:

  • There is no dedicated DVD player in the system, but the classroom PC is great for showing DVDs. Please see the details here.

To Recording Lecture using Panopto Recording:

  • For instructions on using Panopto for recording your class, please look here.

To use a Laptop:

  • If you need to use a laptop instead of the classroom PC, you can connect it to the system with the cables in the cubby with the silver lid
  • Select Laptop with the touchscreen
  • You will not be able to connect any of the cameras or microphones in the room to your laptop with these cables.
  • You can record a lecture with the laptop connected however it will only show the laptop’s desktop, internal webcam, and internal microphone.

At the End of the Class:

  • If you are making a Panopto recording of your class (and you are not webcasting it), remember to stop the recording and upload the recording to the server.
  • Return the handheld microphone to the charger base so that they will maintain their charge for the next person.
  • Remove any USB devices you plugged into the computer
  • Click Restart on the PC in order to log yourself out. This is very important.
  • If there is not another class scheduled after yours
    • Press the System Off button on the touch panel,
    • Turn off the wireless keyboard and place it in the drawer with the document camera
    • Close and lock the cabinet doors.
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