Fall 2020 Classroom Updates

The Learning Spaces Technology [LST] group provides consulting, design, installation, training, management and support for 324 technology-equipped University Classrooms [UCRs] across campus and classrooms assigned to departments.

Classroom Updates

Beginning Fall semester of 2020, all UCRs will have webcams and microphones for use with UICapture software for lecture capture and podcasting, and Zoom software for synchronous classroom delivery:
•  Camera - Huddly Go, web conferencing camera, 150-degree wide-angle lens, USB HD webcam on flexible arm mount
•  Microphone - MXL AC-404 USB Conferencing boundary mic

What Can I Expect in a Fall 2020 Classroom?

University Classrooms See Upgrades in Technology

New boundary microphones and wide-angle lens webcams aid in giving students more of an in-class feel no matter where they may find themselves. We realize this only likely begins to answer a few basic questions about what University Classrooms will be like beginning in Fall of 2020, so please know that Learning Spaces Technology is dedicated to serving faculty, students and staff in the classroom, and will continue to update University Classroom information as it becomes available.

• Classrooms will be configured with a social distancing standard of at least six feet.
• To help facilitate learning online, university classrooms will now have a webcam and microphone mounted on lecterns, with both connected directly to the classroom computer.
• Webcams have an extremely wide angle lens capturing a majority of the classroom.
• Microphone sound quality is excellent when captured from a few feet away, just make sure you place the microphone so you are speaking to the microphone as well as your class.
• What if you have students who ask questions in the classroom? It's suggested to repeat any questions you receive as chances are, with the combination of PPE, extra distance between students, and microphone placement, sound capture from the audience will be poor. Repeating questions is always good practice.
• What can my online students expect to see and hear? If using UICapture/Panopto, students will be able to ask text questions; instructor's can then repeat and answer verbally. If using Zoom, questions can be asked audibly or by text via the chat feature.

Please view the short demonstration where you can begin to see what may be expected in a Fall 2020 classroom.

Visit the COVID-19: Classroom Experience site for additional information regarding University Classroom expectations for the 2020 Fall semester.

For information regarding the COVID-19 Operational Response for Custodial Services, Building Operations and Maintenance and/or the UI Operational Plan for Cleaning and Disinfecting of Building Spaces, please visit the Facilities Management.

For assistance with classroom technology issues, please contact the ITS Help Desk at 335-HELP [4357] or its-helpdesk@uiowa.edu