The Multimedia ClassroomThe Multimedia Classroom
The Multimedia Classroom seats 36 students and is now equipped with state of the art instructional technology. At the center of this technology is a Barco professional, high-resolution projection unit with a 67" diagonal screen, and capable of switching, with one push of a button, between 5 inputs:
Video inputs
A Pioneer 8000 laserdisc player, the most powerful model currently available, capable of delivering 450 lines of resolution.
A Panasonic AG-1970 VHS videocassette player with "S" output (sometimes called "Super" VHS), capable of up to 400 lines of resolution.
The video equipment is permanently housed in a security cabinet onsite. The projection unit and the three video units each has its own wireless remote, permitting maximum instructor mobility.
Computer inputs
Power Mac:
7100AV, 80MHz, 32Mb RAM, 700Mb Hard Drive, with CD-ROM drive, running System 7.5.3, Netscape, Power Point 7.0.
Compaq Pentium Pro:
333 MHz, 64 Mb RAM, CD-ROM compatible DVD player, running Windows 95, Office 97, FrontPage, Netscape & Internet Explorer
Each of the computers is on a portable cart at a workstation adjacent to the Multimedia Classroom. The cart is rolled in and hooked up to the Barco for use onsite. There is a 15" video monitor on the cart for use as the instructor's access point; what appears on the instructor's monitor appears simultaneously on the 67" projection screen. Meanwhile, the other computer unit remains free at the workstation for class preparation.
An alternative to the Barco . . .
. . . is the Portable PC cart attached to an LCD display panel and overhead projector, which projects the computer screen onto any white wall or drop-down screen. Available for use in classrooms anywhere in the building.
Because using these sophisticated (and costly!) installations requires specialized knowledge, every potential user must complete a short tutorial (from 30 minutes to an hour) with the Multimedia consultant (Syd Slobodnik, sslobod@uiuc.edu or leave message at 333- 2577).
Because of the extremely high demand anticipated for the Multimedia classroom, certain priorities must be observed in determining its use. Chris Fiscus (333-2577, c-fiscus@uiuc.edu), who handles booking arrangements for the facility, can explain these.