Classroom Technology for Faculty and Staff
Learn how to prepare for class, use installed classroom technology, connect a university or personal device, and obtain assistance when classroom equipment is not working as expected.
Overview
General-purpose classrooms may include a podium computer, Crestron touch-screen control panel, projector or classroom display, document camera, webcam or streaming camera, microphone, speakers, and connections for laptops and other devices.
The exact equipment available may differ by building and classroom. Faculty and staff should become familiar with the assigned room and test required technology before the first class, presentation, examination, or special event.
Prepare Before Class
If your instruction depends on a presentation, video, web conference, specialized adapter, external application, or recording device, test it in the assigned classroom before it is needed. Classroom configurations and available connections may vary.
Need Help During Class?
Contact the IT Service Desk and provide your name, building, room number, class or event time, and a description of the problem.
Classroom Quick Start
- Arrive early enough to test the classroom equipment.
- Turn on the classroom system using the Crestron touch screen or installed control panel.
- Select the source you plan to use, such as the podium computer, laptop connection, or document camera.
- Sign in to the podium computer using your university OneID credentials, when applicable.
- Confirm that the correct image appears on the classroom display or projector.
- Test the room audio before playing a video or beginning a web conference.
- If using a camera or microphone, confirm that the correct device is selected in the application.
- At the end of class, sign out of the computer and turn off the classroom system.
Protect your account: Do not leave the podium computer unattended while signed in. Sign out when class ends, and do not save passwords or sensitive information on a shared classroom computer.
Before Your First Class or Presentation ▼
Before relying on classroom technology, verify the following:
- You know the building and room assigned to your class or event.
- You can access the room at the time you plan to test the equipment.
- You can sign in to the podium computer using your university OneID.
- Your presentation, course materials, and required websites open correctly.
- Video and audio play through the classroom system.
- The room has the connections or adapters required for your device.
- Your web-conferencing application recognizes the classroom camera, microphone, and speakers.
- Any software required for instruction is installed and available.
- You have a backup copy of essential presentation materials.
If specialized software must be installed on a university computer, submit a request before the software is needed. Installation requests may require additional review, licensing confirmation, administrative access, or coordination with the department responsible for the computer.
Using the Crestron Touch Screen and Room Controls ▼
The Crestron touch screen or classroom control panel is used to operate the installed audiovisual system. Available controls vary by room but may include:
- Turning the classroom system or projector on and off
- Selecting the podium computer, laptop, document camera, or another source
- Adjusting program or speaker volume
- Muting the projected image or room audio
- Controlling classroom cameras or other installed equipment
After turning on the system, allow the projector or display time to start. Select only the source that you plan to use.
If the screen remains blank: Confirm that the classroom system is on, select the correct source, and verify that the podium computer or connected device is awake and sending a display signal.
Using and Signing In to the Podium Computer ▼
- Turn on the classroom audiovisual system.
- Select PC, Podium Computer, or the comparable room source.
- Wake the computer if the screen is blank.
- Sign in using your university OneID username and password.
- Open your course materials or presentation.
- Confirm that the computer image appears on the classroom display.
If the computer accepts a full username format, use your university sign-in credentials as directed on the login screen. Some computer login screens may require only the OneID username instead of the full email address.
When You Finish
- Close applications and files.
- Remove USB drives and other connected devices.
- Sign out of the podium computer.
- Do not shut down or disconnect installed classroom equipment unless directed.
- Use the room control panel to turn off the audiovisual system.
Connecting a Laptop or Other Device ▼
Classrooms may provide HDMI, USB-C, or another connection for laptops. Available connections vary by room.
- Connect your laptop to the available classroom cable.
- Use an appropriate adapter if your laptop does not have the required port.
- Turn on the classroom audiovisual system.
- Select Laptop, HDMI, or the corresponding source.
- Confirm that the laptop detects the classroom display.
- Select the appropriate display mode on the laptop.
Display Options
- Duplicate or Mirror: Shows the same content on the laptop and classroom display.
- Extend: Uses the classroom display as an additional screen. Confirm which screen contains the material students should see.
If the Laptop Does Not Display
- Confirm that the cable is fully connected.
- Confirm that the correct source is selected on the classroom control panel.
- Disconnect and reconnect the cable or adapter.
- Check the laptop’s display settings.
- Confirm that the adapter supports video output. Some USB-C adapters and cables support charging or data only.
- Restart the laptop if time permits.
Bring your adapter: Faculty and presenters should bring the adapter required by their device. ITS cannot guarantee that every classroom will contain adapters for every laptop model or connection type.
Using a Document Camera ▼
A document camera can display printed documents, handwritten work, books, objects, or demonstrations on the classroom screen.
- Turn on the classroom audiovisual system.
- Turn on the document camera, if it does not start automatically.
- Select Document Camera on the classroom control panel.
- Place the document or object beneath the camera.
- Adjust the camera arm, zoom, focus, lighting, and document position as needed.
Some portable document cameras connect to a computer through USB and require a compatible application. Confirm the equipment configuration before class.
Using Classroom Cameras, Microphones, and Speakers ▼
Depending on the room, classroom equipment may include an installed streaming camera, webcam, tracking microphone, ceiling microphone, portable microphone, or room speakers.
Before beginning a web conference, hybrid class, or recording:
- Open the application’s audio and video settings.
- Select the classroom camera as the video source.
- Select the classroom microphone as the audio input.
- Select the classroom speakers as the audio output.
- Test the microphone and speakers before participants join.
- Confirm that the camera view includes the intended teaching area.
- Check for echo or feedback before beginning instruction.
If participants cannot hear classroom audio, verify that the microphone is not muted in the application or on the classroom control panel. If the room cannot hear remote participants, verify the selected speaker and application volume.
Avoid audio feedback: Do not join the same web conference from multiple nearby devices with their microphones and speakers enabled.
Web Conferencing, Hybrid Instruction, and Recording ▼
Faculty may use university-supported academic technology tools to conduct virtual or hybrid instruction and create instructional recordings. The selected application must be tested with the equipment installed in the assigned classroom.
Before the Session
- Confirm that the classroom has the required camera, microphone, and speakers.
- Test the meeting link using a second device or participant, when possible.
- Confirm that presentation sharing works correctly.
- Verify where a recording will be stored and who will be able to access it.
- Close email, messages, grade information, and other confidential content before sharing the screen.
- Inform participants when a session will be recorded.
Privacy and Course Information
Faculty and staff are responsible for protecting student and university information. Follow applicable university policies, FERPA requirements, copyright requirements, and recording or consent guidance. Do not display grades, student records, personal information, or unrelated confidential material during a screen share or recording.
For information about Canvas, Panopto, Respondus, and other teaching tools, consult the Academic Technology Tools and Access for Faculty and Staff KB article.
Classroom Software and Specialized Applications ▼
Software availability may differ among classrooms, computer labs, and department-managed computers. Do not assume that software available on an office computer is also installed in a classroom.
Before requesting an installation, provide:
- Software name and version
- Vendor or official download information
- License information and proof of purchase, when applicable
- Building and room number
- Course or instructional purpose
- Date the software is needed
- Whether students must also access the software
Software requests may require security, compatibility, accessibility, licensing, or technical review. Submit requests well before the first date of use.
Important: Faculty and staff should not install unapproved software, alter classroom wiring, disconnect installed equipment, or change permanent system settings.
Portable Equipment and Checkout Information ▼
Limited portable instructional equipment may be available for faculty and staff use. Equipment availability, eligibility requirements, checkout periods, and responsible offices may change.
Available equipment may include:
- Webcams
- Headsets
- Portable document cameras
- Other instructional technology equipment
Contact Instructional Technology Training and Development or the IT Service Desk before visiting to confirm current availability, the responsible checkout location, and any required reservation or identification.
Borrowers are responsible for returning equipment on time and in the condition in which it was received. Immediately report lost, damaged, or malfunctioning equipment to the office that issued it.
Common Classroom Technology Problems ▼
The projector or display is blank
- Confirm that the classroom system is turned on.
- Allow the projector or display time to start.
- Select the correct source.
- Wake the podium computer or connected laptop.
- Confirm that cables are fully connected.
The computer image appears on the monitor but not the classroom display
- Select the correct source on the control panel.
- Check the computer’s display settings.
- Choose Duplicate, Mirror, or Extend as appropriate.
There is no sound
- Confirm that the room and application are not muted.
- Increase the volume using the classroom control panel.
- Check the application’s audio output setting.
- Select the classroom speakers or room audio device.
The camera or microphone is unavailable
- Confirm that the device is connected and powered on.
- Close other applications that may be using the device.
- Select the correct camera or microphone in the application.
- Confirm that the application has permission to use the device.
The podium computer will not accept my sign-in
- Confirm that you are using your university OneID and current password.
- Check whether the screen requires only the OneID username instead of an email address.
- Verify that Caps Lock is not enabled.
- Contact the IT Service Desk if the account or password continues to fail.
Reporting a Classroom Technology Problem ▼
Provide the following information when reporting an issue:
- Your name and contact information
- Building and room number
- Course, class time, or event time
- Equipment or application affected
- Description of what happened
- Any message displayed on the screen
- Troubleshooting steps already attempted
- Whether the problem is currently interrupting a class
- Photos of the control panel, error, or equipment condition, when helpful
Do not disconnect, relocate, open, or attempt to repair installed classroom equipment. Report damaged cables, exposed wiring, loose equipment, liquid damage, or other potentially unsafe conditions immediately.
Facilities-related problems: Lighting, room temperature, furniture, doors, electrical power to the room, and other building conditions may require assistance from Facilities rather than classroom technology support. The IT Service Desk can help determine where the issue should be directed.
Training and Support
Instructional Technology Training and Development provides assistance and training related to instructional and classroom technologies. Contact ITTD if you would like to become familiar with classroom equipment before using it for instruction.