The classrooms at Emerson College come equipped with a variety of audiovisual and technology tools to aid in your instructional process. This guide will outline how to activate and navigate the AV system, as well as some general tips for troubleshooting.
Preparing for the Semester
Once you know where you'll be teaching, review our Classroom AV Guide to see what technology is available in the space. If you have any questions or require additional equipment, please reach out to the IT Help Desk as soon as possible by emailing helpdesk@emerson.edu or calling 617-824-8080.
If you would like a tutorial on using the technology in your classroom, reach out to us to schedule a demo.
Using Classroom Technology
Video Projection
Traditional classrooms feature a ceiling-mounted projector and a large projection screen.
To turn on the projector:
- Tap the touch panel to wake it up.
- On the welcome screen, tap again to reach the main menu.
-
In the main menu, select a video source on the left. This will automatically turn on the projector, lower the screen, and route the video source to be projected.
If the projector does not come on automatically, check the drawer of the equipment rack for a remote to turn on the projector manually. If the screen does not automatically come down, there is a manual switch, located on an adjacent wall, that can raise and lower the screen.
Some new spaces will have a short-throw projector on a cart directly in front of a large projection screen. While care has been taken to align and focus the projector initially, it’s possible that the cart may have shifted over time and some manual re-adjustment will need to be done.
To turn on the projector:
- Locate the projector’s remote control (ViewSonic brand).
- Aim the remote control at the projector and press the power button.
If the projector does not appear to turn on within a few seconds, try moving closer to the projector and repeat, or use the power button on the projector itself.
Using the Instructor Computer
Many classrooms feature an iMac as the in-room computer, which runs the latest macOS operating system.
- Log-in with your Emerson username and password.
- Choose iMac or In-Room Computer as your source on the touch panel.
-
Always bring your mobile phone or U2F token with you, as you'll need your secondary device to log into Emerson Gmail and other technology services.
- Be sure to log-out at the end of your class session!
Some new spaces will have a Mac laptop fixed at the teaching station for your use.
- Confirm that the computer is plugged into the projector.
- Confirm the input on the projector corresponds to the video source HDMI 1. Use the remote to toggle inputs if needed.
- Log-in with your Emerson username and password.
- Always bring your mobile phone or U2F token with you, as you'll need your secondary device to log into Emerson Gmail and other technology services.
Connecting Your Own Device
If you would prefer to bring your own device for teaching, all teaching spaces will feature cables and adapters to connect laptops, tablets, or phones. All rooms have a selection of current adapters, for both Mac, PC, and mobile device models, to ensure connectivity. If you need a different adapter for your computer, please contact Media Services and we will get one installed.
- Look for a cable, often labeled "laptop input", and outfitted with an adapter ring on the end.
- Find the adapter that fits your device and plug it in.
- On the touch panel, select Laptop HDMI to begin projecting, or if there is no touch panel in your classroom, confirm the input on the projector corresponds to the video source HDMI 2 using the remote control.
Using a Media Player
Many classrooms are equipped with media players such as a Blu-ray/DVD combination deck, and in some unique spaces, a VHS player.
The Blu-ray player can play all discs including regular DVDs and CDs. It is located in the equipment rack and can be controlled via touch panel, the Blu-ray's remote control (often stored in the equipment rack drawer), or via the front panel of the unit itself.
Some classrooms still have VHS decks to meet the specific curricular need, but we recommend contacting the library to determine if your media exists on a more modern media type, or reaching out for our help digitizing the clips you need into an electronic format.
Depending on your course materials, some faculty find that a document camera is a useful way to display printed materials on the projection screen. Please contact us as soon as possible if you need a document camera set up in your classroom for the semester.
Temporary classrooms will likely not be equipped with media players such as a Blu-ray/DVD player, a VHS player, or a document camera. If you will need this to teach your course, please contact us as soon as possible so we can discuss options.
Microphones
Two microphone options are provided to ensure that Faculty wearing a face covering will be audible to all students, especially in the back of the room.
- Gooseneck mic: Located at the podium or teaching table. Mic can be turned on/off with the “Push” button. Volume is controlled either on the touch panel or at the PA system on "Channel 1".
- Hand-held mic on a mic stand: This can be used as an alternative to the gooseneck. It can be turned on/off with the integrated switch. Volume is controlled either at the touch panel or at the PA system on "Channel 2".
Many rooms will also be equipped with a ceiling microphone, that is utilized for picking up student voices for Zoom. See the section below on Video Conferencing with Zoom for information about starting up a Zoom call and utilizing this feature.
Audio System
Traditional classrooms have a built-in audio system with speakers for amplifying sound from video and audio from the in-room computer or your personal device. Volume is adjustment is done using the touch panel audiometer, found on the right-hand side of the screen. There are separate adjustment meters for computer audio and microphone audio.
Temporary classrooms will have a portable audio ("PA" system - essentially a set of speakers on stands) for amplifying sound from video and audio on the in-room computer or your personal device. When you connect the in-room computer or your personal device to the projector, audio is routed through the projector and fed to the PA speakers. Volume can be adjusted on the PA system itself by turning up or down the channel labeled “Computer Audio”.
Sound Check!
It is always a good idea to do a quick soundcheck prior to the start of class. Turn the main volume of the audio system down low using the touch panel controls, begin speaking into a mic and/or playing some audio from the computer, then slowly raise the main volume back up to a comfortable level.
Video Conferencing with Zoom
Zoom is the officially supported video conferencing platform of Emerson College. Zoom may be utilized in a class in the event that an on-campus student is required to quarantine. Additionally, Zoom can be used to bring in a virtual guest lecturer. See our many guides for best practices for teaching and learning with Zoom.
A webcam on a tripod will be provided that connects directly to the in-room computer via USB. In many spaces, a dedicated ceiling-mounted room microphone will also capture audio of the entire room and feed it to the in-room computer.
To get set-up for a Zoom call:
- Log in to the in-room computer with your Emerson credentials.
- Confirm the computer is projecting on the projection screen or TV. (see instructions above).
- Open and log in to the Zoom application with your Emerson credentials.
- Under Settings > Audio/Video, ensure that:
- Full HD Webcam or Logitech C925e should be selected for the Camera.
- USB Audio Device or Logitech C925e should be selected for the Microphone.
- In touchpanel classrooms, Crestron (HDMI) should be selected for the Speaker. In the temporary classrooms, ViewSonic LS830 should be selected for Speaker.
- Start your Zoom call! Remember to adjust the web camera on the tripod to make sure it is capturing the right field of view.
How to Request Tech Support
Need Classroom Support?
Signage will be posted in each space with a phone number to call for the quickest tech support. If you don't see the sign or are ever unsure, please call the IT Help Desk at 617-824-8080.
We will ask instructors to provide some detail over the phone in order to troubleshoot. Our staff have access to remote tools for much of the hardware installed, and can often fix an issue without needing to be in the room.