Provision of Teaching Facilities

Issue

There is a need for more information and for an exchange of information, experience and good/bad practice.

Recommendation

A database of information should be built up which focuses on equipment types and their capabilities. This should be available across the WWW. Funding needs to be made available to keep the information updated. It would be useful to have an online resource of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Information from the Educational TV and Media Association (ETMA) mailbase list could provide useful input.

There is a need for agreements for equipment nationally or by purchasing organisations for selected kit.

Issue

Presentation issues are often not considered when lecture theatres are upgraded. Computing and AV staff need to be involved at an early stage — buildings need input from organisations other than estates.

Recommendation

Sites should be encouraged to put in place appropriate wiring as theatres are upgraded, even if the presentation equipment is not yet available. It is very important that in doing this computing and AV staff liaise.

Issue

It is difficult to find information about standards, which are important in this area.

Recommendation

A WWW site should be set up which hold information about standards, e.g. video conferencing standards.

Issue

Inconsistent provision is a problem regarding timetabling and the confidence of lecturers in feeling able to guarantee equipment availability.

Recommendation

Basic standard provision needs to be established within sites. Advice from JISC on this would be useful in encouraging sites to upgrade facilities.

Equipment provision decisions need to be made on an educational basis.

Such minimum facilities might include: writing surface; OHP (400W plus dual lamp; blackouts; correct lighting; slide projectors (2); high quality screens; PC and Mac with standard presentation package; data/video projector; network point; ventilation; VCR; induction hearing loops; reinforced sound in larger rooms; technical support.

Issue

Sites need to gain and exchange information and experience with regard to video conferencing. Room design advice is needed on issues such as: lighting; ventilation; sound insulation; acoustics; availability of telephone.

It was noted that UKERNA have ongoing evaluations of video conferencing equipment.

JISC have also set up a Video Conferencing Focus Club as part of their Technology Applications Programme.

Recommendation

Initiatives to assist in the support of video conferencing, for example at UKERNA or through the JTAP Video Conferencing Focus Club need to be promoted.

Issue

Within sites it is often unclear who should take responsibility for the provision of video conferencing.

Recommendation

Institutions should be encouraged to set up a group to co-ordinate provision of equipment, maintenance, support and upgrade.

Issue

Security can be a problem.

Recommendation

Chain down kit.

Issue

We need to be able to see things working and to be able to view latest equipment at a time we are interested in buying.

Recommendation

We should set up technology "show room(s)" to show the latest technology in conjunction with industry.

Issue

Online demonstrations can be a problem in terms of availability of suitable equipment, reliability and availability of networks.

Recommendation

Minimum specifications need to be set for sites and facilities within sites. Standards are critical in this with many problems even with emerging standards. Problems with HTML, browsers, plug ins etc are common. Support for symbolics (maths, chemistry) and non-English languages present problems in teaching and learning. Online demonstrations are unreliable due to bandwidth problems and are affected by time of day, caching, site location.

Issue

Sites need to develop strategies for fully equipping all teaching rooms for multimedia delivery. They need to decide how to get from where we are now to full provision.

Recommendation

Portable equipment may provide a pragmatic short-to-medium term strategy for some rooms. Equipment suitable for a "multimedia trolley" should be investigated with a report to the community.

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