Classroom Technology

ITS is continuing to update rooms on campus. Many are getting new webcams and new audio systems. Stay tuned for some training materials, and contact the Help Desk (helpdesk@highline.edu) for help with classroom tech. 

Regardless of how the room is equipped, we recommend the following tactics:

  • Each day, record the class and have it post to Canvas. Again, make this a habit and you won't have to learn it in a hurry. 
  • If you have a wireless headset, connect it to your classroom computer. While it won’t amplify audio in the room, it will get better audio for remote students who are on Zoom, or for the Panopto recording. 
  • If you do a lot of board work, move that work to the document camera, and share the document camera out to the Zoom room. (Bonus: the markers don’t smell as bad.)

Questions (and answers!)

Can I hook up my own Bluetooth headset to the classroom computer? 

In most rooms, yes. If you have a USB gadget that handles the wireless connection, plug that in to the computer, and then connect your headset. If you need the computer to have Bluetooth on (e.g. for AirPods), send a ticket in to the Help Desk, including the room number, and they'll set it up. 

Can I connect the overhead camera to my laptop? 

No. Please don't disconnect any wires from the classroom computer. It messes things up for the next instructor in the room. We recommend using an external camera or the one fixed in your laptop. Keep in mind that the most important thing for students to see is typically either the board, or the slides your sharing. 

Can I connect my laptop to the data projector in the room? 

In most rooms, yes. You'll need two cables: a VGA or HDMI cable, and a short cable to convert your laptop output to VGA or HDMI. Send a ticket in to the Help Desk, including the room number and the type of laptop you have, and they'll help you out. 

Can we get labels on the buttons, so we know what to press to display different things? 

Most rooms are already labeled. ITS recommends that you get into the room before your class, and make sure everything is working the way you want it to. 

What's the deal with Apps Anywhere and Panopto? 

It *should* work, but some rooms have been having issues. Call the Help Desk (ext 4357) or send a ticket in if you run into problems.