Multimedia Classroom

Multimedia Classroom Equipment Background Info

Purpose

If used properly, Multimedia classrooms can enhance curriculum and facilitate teaching and learning through use of technology by adding audio and video to lessons. If used improperly, use of instructional technology can be distractive and impede teaching and learning.

Podium Contents

Desktop Computer with display
DVD Player
VHS Player
Document Cam
Device Controller (either Extron push-button or Crestron touchpad)
Ethernet cable for NWU network connection
Projector adapter for laptop display and sound amplification
Power outlet
Wall-mounted speakers
Wireless slide advancer/mouse
USB Hub

Disclaimer: Although we have tried to maintain consistency regarding equipment and operation, each may vary slightly depending on the location and other circumstances beyond our control.

Multimedia Classroom Usage Guide

1. Starting out with the projector

1. Begin by pushing the “ON” button for the display on the podium device controls using a firm and delayed button push.
2. If this does not turn it on, you will have to push the “ON/OFF” button on the projector. When the projector is on, a green light should be lit on the projector.
3. Some projectors may beep when turned on and off. Red and amber lights generally indicate heat and/or lamp problems, and the need for the projector to be turned off. To see the screen better, it is advised that the operator dims the lights.

2. Using the podium PC

1. Turn on the PC if it is not on already. If the PC is already on, any key can be pressed or the mouse can be moved to wake it up. Log on using standard or guest account ID and password. If the computer being used is a laptop, refer to the laptop section.
2. Push the “PC” button on the podium with a firm and delayed button press.
3. When you are finished, log off of the PC.
4. Computers should go into sleep mode after should shut down at approximately 11:00 PM every day.

3. Using the DocCam

1. Pull out the drawer on the side of the podium and carefully fold out the lights. Use the “RELEASE” switch to be able to fold out the camera.
2. Push the “DOC CAM” button on the podium device controls.
3. When you are finished, first fold in the camera. Make sure that you use the “RELEASE” switch. Next, fold in the lights, then push in the drawer into the podium.

4. Using the Laptop

   

1. Check the DocCam to see if it is on. The DocCam must always be on to use a laptop with the projector.
2. Plug in the video adapter into the laptop. The place on the laptop where the adapter connects should be on the side or the back.
3. Push either the “DOC CAM” button or the “LAPTOP” button on the podium. Large podiums with have both of these buttons, while smaller podiums will have a shared button for these two devices.
4. Plug in the Ethernet cable if you need access to the Internet. Depending on the location of the multimedia classroom, you may also be able to connect to the NWU network wirelessly. Plug in the audio jack into the headphone port of the computer if you need audio.
5. If the screen does not instantly project your laptop screen, you may have to select the external display button. The symbol for external display looks like a box with two vertical lines on both sides of the box.
6. When you are finished, disconnect all of the connections to your laptop.

5. Using the DVD player

1. Turn on the DVD player.
2. Push the “DVD” button on the podium.
3. Use remote or eject button to open tray and insert the DVD in the DVD player. Use the remote or the eject button to close the tray.
4. The DVD menus can be navigated by using either the podium controls or the handheld remote control when available.
5. When you are finished, remove your DVD and shut off the DVD player.

6. Using the VCR

1. Turn on the VCR.
2. Push the “VCR” button on the podium.
3. Insert the videotape in the VCR.
4. The VCR can be operated by using either the podium controls or by a handheld remote when available.
5. When you are finished, remove your videotape from the VCR and shut off the VCR.

7. Using the USB Hub

1. Make sure the podium PC is on and you are logged in. Instructions for this can be found in the PC section above.
2. Many devices can be used with the USB hub such as flash drives, digital cameras, and music players to name a few. Insert your device’s connector into the USB Hub. If your device’s connector does not seem to fit in the hub, rotate it 180° about the length of the drive and try again. If it does not fit, then this connection is not a USB connection.
3. Once the device is recognized, it should appear on the desktop of the podium PC as an external drive named ‘untitled’ if there is not a name attached to the device. If the device is named and the PC recognizes it, an external device will appear with the name of your drive.
4. Depending on your device, the computer will react differently to the device, once the device is recognized. See the frequently asked questions for ways in which to access the device.
5. When you are finished using the drive, make sure that any of the files on your device are not being used, then right click the USB device manager. It can be found near the master volume control in the lower right-hand corner of the PC screen.
6. Select your drive’s name and click the ‘Stop’ button.
7. Once a window pops up saying that your device can be removed safely, you may remove your drive from the USB Hub.

8. Using the Slide Advancer

1. Make sure that the computer (either podium PC or your laptop) is on and you are logged in.
2. Find the receiver for the slide advancer. If it is not in the USB hub or any USB port, plug it into the USB hub. The receiver is often found within the advancer if it is not in a USB port.
3. If you are using a laptop, plug the receiver into one of the USB ports on the laptop instead of the USB hub.
4. Once the reciever is recognized by the computer, it can be used as a mouse and can change slides in presentation software.

9. Leaving

1. When you are finished using the Multimedia Classroom, push the “OFF” button for the projector on the podium. If this does not work, push the “ON/OFF” button on the projector. When the projector is off, a red light should be lit on it. On the PC, exit all applications (Word, Powerpoint, Excell etc.), and log out of the computer. Make sure you turn off the lights when you leave the room

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I plugged my USB device into the USB hub. How do I access it
A: With newer devices, once it is recognized, usually, a window will pop up on the computer with a list of options surrounding the device. If this does not occur, open “My Computer” by first going to the “Start” menu and selecting it there. If your device was recognized it should be listed in the collapsible menu. If your device is not listed, then the PC did not recognize it. If the latter was the case, disconnect your device from the USB hub and try connecting your device to the USB ports on the front of the PC. With some devices, the device needs to be ON for it to be detected by the PC. Also, the device itself may be waiting for the user to select something so it can connect to the PC.


Q: I pressed the buttons on the device controller to switch from the PC to the DVD player, but nothing happened. How can I get the projector to switch to the DVD player?
A: The podium controllers are slow to respond occasionally. To switch from any input to any other input, push the button corresponding to the desired output using a firm and delayed (1-2 second) button press. If this does not work, then the controller may need to be powered down and turned back on.


Q: I am using my laptop as the input but nothing is being displayed on the screen. I have pressed the “LAPTOP” button on the controller, but it still does not work. How do I get it to work?
A: The laptop connection works through the Doc Cam. To make a laptop the imput, pull out the Doc Cam drawer and press the button below the “RGB IN” indicator light.


Q: I am using the Doc Cam, but nothing is displayed. I have pressed the “DOC CAM” button, but nothing is displayed. How do I make this work?
A: The first thing to do is to make sure the Doc Cam is on. The power switch can be found near the “RELEASE” switch. Next, make sure that the “CAMERA” indicator light is lit. If it is not, press the button below the indicator light.


Q: I am using a program that uses an Internet connection on my laptop, but the program cannot get connected. I am connected to NWU’s wireless, so what is the problem?
A: To connect to the Internet, you need to make sure that you have authenticated. To do this, open up a browser (Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, Opera etc.). You will be asked by the NWU network to enter the username and password that is shared with your WesMail account, Blackboard, and WebAdvisor.


Q: I wanted to use a video on the Internet, but it will not play because the computer does not have a plugin (Flash, Shockwave, etc.). How can I play it?
A: In this situation, the best way to play the video is to find an alternate site with the video like YouTube. You cannot install plugins, as it requires administrative privileges. Give the START helpline at 465-7777 and we will send someone down to add the plugin.


Q: The projector “ON” button was pressed and is lit up but why is there no image on the screen?
A: When you press “ON”, make sure that you hear one beep. When you turn the projector off, there should be three beeps. If the device controller does not work, you will have to press the button on the projector.


Q: The DVD player light is on as well as the light on the DVD button on the device controller, but the DVD player does not play. How can I play my DVD?
A: If your DVD player is not working, then you can use the computer to play it. If this is the case, give the START helpline (465-7777) a call so that this problem can be addressed.


Q: I am playing a video, but I can’t get any audio for it. How can I get audio to play?
A: For each input and the speakers, there is some kind of volume control. If the speakers are muted or an input volume is muted, there will be no sound. Volume controls on the PC (YouTube, iTunes etc) as well as the master PC volume, also apply.


Q: The keyboard and mouse are not responding. How do I make them work?
A: Make sure that both the mouse and the keyboard are plugged into the computer.


Q: I am trying to log in, but the computer says my username or password are incorrect. This problem persists after I have double-checked that I am doing both right. What do I do?
A: Check to see if Caps Lock and/or Num Lock are on. These will be shown by a lit indicator on the keyboard. These can be toggled off and on by pressing the button. Make sure that you are logging into Huxley rather than Local. Also make sure that the keyboard and the Ethernet cable are connected to the computer.


If you have questions not addressed or something is not working in the way it should, please give START (Student Technology Assistance Resources Team) a call at 465-7777 and we will work to solve your tech problems.