Classroom Technology Guide

Many Roosevelt classrooms contain computing and audiovisual playback equipment.  These rooms fall into two general categories; "standard" classrooms, which contain projection and multimedia playback equipment but not computers, and "extended" classrooms that have the same equipment located in standard classroom, plus podiums equipped with computers and some additional hardware.

This document provides a concise introduction to the use of this equipment.  For further assistance or to schedule a demonstration, contact your local MMS office. The fastest way to get help if you encounter any problems in the classroom is to call or visit your local MMS office. Multimedia Services strongly advises you to test your equipment in your classroom before the first class to ensure that everything is working.

Standard Classrooms

Powering up

1. A black wall-mounted cabinet contains equipment and control systems. Make sure the cabinet power is on. The red light on the power conditioner switch should be glowing. If not, press the switch.

   

2. A separate set of controls manages the projector. To turn the projector on press the On button under Power on the control plate. Push and hold it for 2 or 3 seconds. There will be a delay while the projector reaches maximum brightness.

   

   To play a tape or DVD on the VHS/DVD player

3. To play a DVD or videotape in the player (no computer required) you will need to select the correct projector input. Push the Video button under Source on the control plate. Video In will display on the upper right side of the screen.

4. To play a tape, insert it, select VCR by pressing the VCR/DVD button on the front of the player. Press Play. To stop the playback, press Stop and then Eject to eject the tape. You can also use the remote control to perform these functions.

5. To play a DVD, select DVD by pressing the VCR/DVD button on the front of the player. Press the Open/Close button to eject the tray. Insert the DVD into the tray print side up. Press the Open/Close button again to retract the tray. Press Play. You can also use the remote control to perform these functions.

6. Adjust your sound level by pressing the up (increase) or down (decrease) buttons under Volume on the control plate.

   To use your laptop

7. Push the Comp button under Source on the control plate. Computer In will display on the upper right side of the screen.

8. Plug your laptop power cord into the AC outlet on the cabinet.

9. A combination audio-video cable is provided in each standard classroom (contact MMS if you need one). One end of the VGA (15 pin) video cable is connected to the Computer socket in the wall plate. Connect the other end to the VGA Out or monitor jack on your laptop. Macintosh users may need an adaptor to connect the VGA cable to the DVI jack on their machines.

   

10. Activate the external video port on your laptop computer so that the image displays on the projection screen (normally it's off by default). To turn this port on use the keyboard command appropriate for your computer (typically a Fn+function key combination). On most laptops this keyboard command operates a three-way toggle switch: laptop display only, external display only, or both.

11. If you require a network connection, before turning on your laptop connect the supplied network cable to the network jack on your laptop. The other end is connected to the Data jack in the wall plate.

12. If your application requires audio, connect the audio (1/8” stereo) plug from the supplied cable to the headphone or audio out jack on your laptop. The other end is connected to the Audio jack in the wall plate.

13. If you're using sound, adjust your sound level by pressing the up (increase) or down (decrease) buttons under Volume on the control plate. If the sound is not loud enough, you may need to turn up the volume on your laptop using the keyboard or software volume controls. If you hear no sound at all, make sure the laptop audio output has not been set to mute.

    Powering Down

14. Turn off the projector by pushing the Off button under Power on the control plate. On the screen, you will be asked if you really want to shut off the projector. Press Off again to turn off the projector. Press Video or Comp if you don’t want to turn it off.

Extended Classrooms

This section covers the newer extended classrooms that contain black podiums connected by a bundle of cables to the same wall-mounted racks used in the standard classrooms. ( Roosevelt has several older extended classrooms with special switching equipment.  For assistance with these rooms, contact your local Multimedia Services office.)  Many of the operating procedures that apply to the standard classrooms also apply here.  The differences are described below.

1. To use the built-in computer you will need to ensure that the equipment rack and projector are powered up as described in the previous section, and that the computer is also running (use the switch on the front of the computer to turn it on if necessary).  Make sure that the controller source switch mounted on the wall rack is set to "comp" (see instruction 2 above).

2. To connect a laptop use the connections provided in the cable well at the top of the podium.  Cables are provided for video, audio, network, usb, and power, as illustrated in this photo.

   

3. After connecting the necessary cables and powering up your laptop and all the other equipment you can use the small selector switch mounted on a cable on the top of podium (see photo) to alternate between the laptop and main computer images. This makes it possible to alternate between two different applications.

    

4. Troubleshooting: no image.  If you don't see the laptop image on the projector and pressing the button on the selector switch doesn't work, you may need to activate the external video port on your laptop. This is normally done on the keyboard using the "fn" key in combination with one of the laptop function ("F") keys. This is typically a three-way switch, allowing you to activate the built-in laptop screen along, the external video connection along, or both.

5. Troubleshooting: no VGA connection on the laptop.  Newer laptops no longer support the older VGA connectors and require instead a DVI cable to connect an external monitor or projector.  Fortunately adapters are available to connect DVI-style laptops to the VGA cable at the podium.  If you need an adapter contact the help desk ast 312-341-4357 for assistance.

Music Classrooms

The three classrooms used primarily by CCPA for music classes (AUD614, AUD730, and AUD925) have been configured to support CD audio playback without use of the projector.  In some cases a cable terminated with an 1/8" audio plug is connected to the cabinet for use with iPods and other MP3 players.  Use the same controls for this source that you use for the CD player.

1. Turn on the Furman power conditioner, the TOA amplifier, and the Tascam CD player. These components are all located in the black equipment rack mounted on the wall. Leave all the other equipment off.  It is not necessary to turn on the projector or use any of the controls on the projector controller keypad.

2. Operate the CD player from the player itself, or use the remote, which should be connected by a security cable to the rack. Some features of the CD player can only be operated using the remote. For details on using these features consult the Tascam CD-01U Quick Start Guide.

3. Control the volume using the Program control on the TOA amplifer. The volume control on the projector control pad will not work.

4. When you are finished, power down the three components that you turned on in step one above.

[Rev. 16 September 2010]