CONTENTS

1.Introduction
2.The new centres
3.Services
4.Interactive Lectures
5.Lecture Theatres
6.Theatre design
7.ISO Standards
8.Design Consultants
9.Refurbishments
10.Future proofing
11.Mobile equipment
12.OHPs

13.Communication

14.Faculty technicians
15.Staffing
16.Room bookings
17.Skill levels
18.AV School
19.Trainees
20.Representation
21.Advertising
22.Presentation skills
23.Equipment database
Appendices

Case Studies

13 Communication with AV Staff.

13.1 This was a major problem for the unit for some considerable time. Staff could effectively hide and the service was inefficient. It had to be solved and technology was the key, but could we afford it on limited budgets. It was first addressed by using pagers and did improve matters, but often the building provided the ideal Faraday cage and messages were often lost. Various pagers were tried with varying degrees of success, non of them being ideal. Eventually mobile phones were considered the only answer but these are open to abuse and a strict work only regime has to be established. Orange phones are the standard adopted by the college and these have proved economical and reliable. Strict spending limits are in place and any calls over the allotted time are scrutinised and staff have to account for additional time incurred. Personal calls, incoming and outgoing are forbidden, not just due to cost but more importantly vital emergency AV calls can be delayed or even missed.

13.2 In practice, AV staff have found that mobiles save time, especially on a large campus. The call and rental charges are manageable and rarely rises above the talk 15 rate. Total cost for a month, for three phones is £53.00. The phones in use ( Motorola mr1) are now three years old and still perform well. Each phone has two batteries and only one has been replaced so far. One building still presents problems but Orange are working on microcell technology transmitters that improves cover within buildings.

13.3 They have proved invaluable for emergency support calls from academic staff and communication between AV staff when rigging[dagger] and calls for assistance on difficult assignments. Every lecture theatre is provided with a list of emergency phone numbers.

[dagger]In these circumstances it obviates the need for separate hand held transceivers thus reducing costs for additional equipment and licences.