FACULTY & STAFF

Smart Classrooms

There are approximately 125 Smart Classrooms across campuses of Louisiana Tech University.  These technology-enhanced teaching facilities include auditoriums, classrooms, computer labs, compressed video classrooms, conference rooms, lecture halls and various labs. Enhanced technology classrooms and facilities are designed by the Classroom Technology Committee, which is composed of faculty, IT and technical support staff from across the University. Smart Classroom technology can be challenging for the first-time user.  One of our training goals is for the technology in Smart Classrooms and other facilities to be a toolbox of instructional tools for instructors and not an impediment.  Instructors and other users needing Smart Classroom training are encouraged to contact the Center for Instructional Technology (CIT) to schedule a training session to learn about the use of the classroom equipment and technology. Training modules and a Quick Start Guide (PDF) are available below.  You can contact the Center for Instructional Technology at CITAdmin@LATech.edu to schedule individual or group training. NOTE: Please schedule a training session in advance.  Please don’t wait until you are in the Smart Classroom with your class waiting.

Smart Classrooms Locations

Academic buildings that have Smart Classrooms capabilities are listed below.  Seating capacity for each classroom or facility is listed in parentheses after the room number. *Polycom System

• Adams Hall Classroom (AHCL) – 161 (150); 162 (150)

• Band Building (BAND) – 109 (N/A)

• Biomedical Engineering Building (BMEB) – 107 (25); 154 (30); 157 (50); 229 (15)

• Bogard Hall (BOGH) – 302 (30); 318 (50); 325 (40); 326 (50); 327 (50)

• Carson-Taylor Hall (CTLH) – 153 (30); 227 (50); 237 (45); 322 (40); 328 (70); 344 (90); 347 (65); 349 (30)

• College of Business (COBB) – N/A

• Davison Hall (DAVH) – 113 (180); 206 (70); 209 (90); 213 (200); 223 (40); 224 (70); 225 (70); 310 (40)

• Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) – N/A

• Forestry Lab Building (FORL) – 109 (N/A)
• George T. Madison Hall (GMTH) – 105 (190); 123A (15); 120 (60); 133 (40); 135 (76); 201 (40); 205 (49); 209 (25); 213 (25); 215 (50); 217 (35); 219 (40); 221 (25) 223 (30); 229 (90); 301 (50); 202 (41); 311 (70); 317 (40);  327 (35)

• Hale Hall (HALE) – 313 (18); 318 (42)

• Howard Center for the Performing Arts (HCPA) – 112 (15); 222 (30); 302 (45); 332 (80)

• Institute for Micromanufacturing (IFMM) – 101 (120)

• Keeny Hall (KEEH) – 325B (25)

• Lomax Hall (LOMH) – 7 (95)

• Memorial Gym (MEMG) – 207 (30); 221 (30)

• Nethken Hall (NETH) – 140 (129)

• Prescott Memorial Library (PLIB) – 1013B* (15); 1014* (25); 1015* (15)

• Reese Hall (REEH) – 115 (47); 205 (N/A); 206 (N/A); 213 (N/A); 219 (50)

• Robinson Hall (ROBH) – 115 (30); 213 (30); 310 (40)

• Shreveport Center (TTCS) – 1* (N/A); 2 (N/A); 3 (N/A); AUD* (N/A)

• Visual Arts Center (TVAC) – 103 (40)

• Woodard Hall (WOOH) – 100A (156); 124 (N/A); 135 (40); 201 (60); 207 (58); 208 (50); 215 (40)

• Wyly Tower (WYLT) – 214 (15); 244 (N/A); 324 (45); 1111* (40); 1128 (30); 1129 (40); 1411 (45); 1527 (50)

Smart Classrooms include the following equipment (at a minimum):

• Data Projector
• Document Camera
• Dry Erase Board
• Laptop Connections
• Lecture Capture
• Projector Screen

The Center for Instructional Technology offers several different forms of training for use of the University’s Smart Classrooms.

1. Individual Training Sessions

2. Training Manual

3. Training Videos

4. QuickStart Guide

If you would like to schedule an individual training session to learn how to use the equipment and instructional technology in the Smart Classrooms, you can do so by contacting the Center for Instructional Technology at 257-2912 or via e-mail at citadmin@latech.edu.

The Center for Instructional Technology has created an in-depth training manual to serve as an introduction to Tech’s Smart Classrooms.

Available as a .pdf document that can be downloaded to your hard drive, this manual is organized topically to allow for easy referencing.  In addition, this manual corresponds to the training videos below, and can be printed out and used as a reference while viewing the videos.

The manual can be found here: Training Manual  

In addition to the manual, the Center for Instructional Technology has created a series of training videos to serve as an introduction to the Smart Classrooms at the University.

These training videos are categorically indexed and offered via MediaSite provided by the College of Business.  You can focus on specific sections for a refresher on a specific topic or watch all of the video series to receive a complete Smart Classroom training session. Also, a QuickStart Guide is provided below to assist you as you view the training videos.

Note: To view the recordings, you must authenticate by entering your CICS user ID and password. This is the same user ID and password that you use for your Louisiana Tech webmail access.

1. Introduction and Overview

2. Using the LCD Touch Screen

3. Using the Computer and Laptop Options

4. Using the Volume Controls

5. Using the DVD/VCR Players

6. Using the Sympodium (Smart Podium): Part I

7. Using the Sympodium (Smart Podium): Part II – Overview of the Monitor Buttons

8. Using the Sympodium (Smart Podium): Part III – The Floating Tools Toolbar

9. Using the Sympodium (Smart Podium): Part IV- Customizing Your Floating Tools Toolbar

10. Using the Document Camera

The equipment in the majority of the Smart Classrooms can be controlled using the touch panel mounted into the podiums.  If the screen is black, touch the screen to bring up a Louisiana Tech University logo.  Touching the screen again will bring up the main display from which the other components are controlled.

In order for any of the inputs to be sent to the projector the system must be turned On.

To turn on the projector and lower the projection screen press the On button under “System.”  If the projection screen does not lower automatically after pressing On, it can be controlled by the buttons on the wall plate that is placed on the wall near the podium or screen.  Press the Down button on the wall plate to lower the screen.  Pressing the Down button on the touch panel under “Screen” should also lower the screen.

AV Mute button mutes the input to the projector so that no image is seen on the screen.

The default input to the projector is the computer, if the computer is on.  However, if the computer is on, but the computer input is not showing up on the screen, press the PC button on the left-hand side of the display.

If using a laptop, the laptop must first be plugged into the cables located on the top of the podiums, next to the touch panel.

After turning on the system and laptop, press the Laptop button on the left-hand side of the display.  The laptop input should then be sent to the projector.

If the laptop input is not visible on the screen:

• On the laptop try pressing the “Function” key (usually the blue Fn key that is on the lower left-hand side of the laptop) while also pressing the “F” (i.e. F1-F12) key that has a monitor icon on it.
• If the laptop image is still not visible on the screen after waiting a few seconds, or if the image is only visible on the screen but not the laptop, try pressing the same keys on the laptop again.
• If the laptop input is still not sent to the projector, reboot the laptop.  Be sure the Laptop input on the touch panel is selected.

The document camera is located in the pull-out drawer on the right side of the podiums.  The power button for the document camera is located either on the top or on the back of the base.

Before using the document camera, the lamps and head must be raised.

To raise the head, use the unlock switch or button located at the bottom of the head arm.

To raise the lamps, simply pull up on the arms and position them as desired.

The operation (i.e. zoom, focus, power to lamps) of the document camera in some of the Smart Classrooms can be controlled using the touch panel.

In other rooms, the focus, zoom, and lamps must be controlled using the appropriate buttons on the document camera. VCR Input The VCR is located in the bracket on the right side of the podium or in the cabinet located under the space for the keyboard.  The power button is located on the front of the VCR, on the left side of the display.

The operation of the VCR in most of the Smart Classrooms can be controlled using the touch panel.

Choose the VCR/DVD button from the components list, then choose the VCR Mode button and use the buttons on the control screen to operate the VCR.

In other rooms, the operation of the VCR is controlled by using the buttons on the VCR player itself.

DVD Input 

The DVD Player is located in the bracket on the right side of the podium or in the cabinet located under the space for the keyboard.  The power button is located on the front of the DVD Player.

The operation of the DVD Player in most of the Smart Classrooms can be controlled using the touch panel.

In other rooms, the operation of the DVD is controlled by using the buttons on the DVD player itself.