Discussion classes - Hybrid technology

[Trevor Musolf]

I am wondering what other institutions are using to support small group discussion based hybrid classes.  Has anyone thought of any creative ways to implement a low cost audio solution into these environments? 

 

We have several rooms that can accommodate this with ceiling microphones but wondering if there is another cheaper way to do this in some smaller rooms.

 

Thanks,

Trevor Musolf

Northwestern University

 

[Jeremy Todd]

Hello, Trevor.

Cameras are provided in many classrooms and provide a video signal via a USB cable. Instructors connect a USB cable at the instructor pedestal to their laptop and then launch Zoom meeting for remote students. Sharing one option that may work:

• Audio/Video Bar (159 rooms) - Audio/video bars provide your laptop with a camera, microphone, and speaker to connect with those online. The link provides the list of rooms with this feature. We created a custom mount for the audio/video bars and attached them directly to the instructor pedestal. Approximate costs were $1200.
• Instructor pedestals are on casters and can rotate around to students. Some instructors  will sit in a circle with the students to have group discussions with those online

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Jeremy Todd
Director, Office of Classroom Management | classroom.umn.edu