UMTC Classroom Tech Upgrades Reach New High!
As of the start of the Fall 2005 semester, 78% of all University of
Minnesota Twin Cities central classrooms have been upgraded to meet the
UMTC "Projection Capable Classroom" standard. This is a dramatic
turnaround from just a few short years ago, and demonstrates the
strength of University of Minnesota classroom teaching and learning
programs.
The campus breakdown of tech equipped central classrooms:
East Bank: 131 of 183 classrooms - 72%;
West Bank: 65 of 72 classrooms - 90%;
St. Paul: 26 of 31 classrooms - 84%;
TOTAL: 222 of 286 classrooms - 78%.
The standard includes the baseline level of technology specified for
all UMTC central classrooms: fixed data projector, instructor internet
connectivity, "smart" control system with user-friendly laptop
interface, optional control system networking, various I/O devices
including DVD and VCR, accessibility features, Classroom Hotline phone,
wireless student networking, and other features.
In addition to the 222 central classrooms that have been brought up to
this level of technology, departments and colleges have purchased
another 115 systems from OCM's Classroom Technical Services ISO unit
for use in their own rooms.
All of these systems use the same operator interface and protocols.
This means that our faculty and students can walk into some 340 rooms
across the entire campus and confidently face a proven and reliable
technology system with which which they are familiar and comfortable.
Additionally, the campus benefits from the economies of scale in
production and reduced cost of this essential teaching and learning
technology in classrooms.
For additional details on the Tech Upgrade program, please see the OCM Web site at www.classroom.umn.edu.
