As classroom technology continues to evolve, UAB is making leaps and bounds with new ways to innovate education — and leveraging ideas from across campus.
“About 3 years ago, we started looking into Zoom based solutions for conference rooms and saw a real opportunity to use that technology in the classroom,” said Walt Creel, classroom support lead with UAB IT Client Services.
The team saw the possibilities with features that could easily translate into a classroom. Things like scheduling, recording, wireless presentation, and remote support were big draws to start searching for a way to make this idea a reality.
Creel and Director of Client Services Jamie Witter began the search at multiple AV conferences across the country. After piecing together the puzzle, the duo brought their findings to the newly assembled Classroom Educational Technology Services Committee on campus. CETSC was formed to look at and gather requirements for a new Classroom AV Technology standard. This group consists of members from across campus, including the Center for Teaching and Learning, Disability Support Services, Physical Security, and more.
“Walt and I took the solutions we found during our search and fit them into the requirements that the Classroom Committee had laid out,” Witter said. “Walt and his team worked on a mockup solution that was created from other Zoom rooms we have set up on campus.”
The Zoom classroom pilot launched for testing for the 2024 Fall semester at Mervyn H. Sterne Library. Tucked away on the second floor, this room hosts a new system set up with new Zoom control panels, an interactive whiteboard, and more.
The technology is robust, user friendly, and always evolving. Each time an update occurs, users may find a new and helpful tool for their class.
“The classroom is amazing, and the technology has truly enhanced and multiplied my teaching tools,” said Shelly Cato, assistant professor at the UAB department of English.
Cato was one of six instructors who got the chance to test out the new concept. Before the semester started, professors were invited to tour the classroom space and interact with the items to better understand the technology.
“My favorite feature is the seamless integration of my laptop’s Zoom application with all the classroom’s technology. The class meeting pops up on my Zoom homepage, and all I have to do is click Start,” Cato said. “My laptop screen wirelessly projects to both the front and back monitors of the classroom.”
One feature everyone seems to enjoy is the whiteboard camera. When activated, instructors can write on the board and have it broadcasted to the screens not only for the class but also on Zoom. This allows for everyone to see and interact with the content.
UAB IT is looking to install a second Zoom classroom in Sterne, and after the spring semester will evaluate the start of a refresh cycle for classrooms.