University of Sheffield, CILASS CETL

Technology

The collaboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art technology including Access Grid videoconferencing, sympodium, copy cams and huddleboards and a range of fixed desktop and laptop computers.

Huddleboards are lightweight portable small whiteboards that make it easy for users to collaborate and interact in small to medium size groups. The portability of the boards means that ad hoc and flexible working environments can be formed by the groups themselves. The ideas generated on huddleboards can be converted into digital images using copy cams. Copy cams are located on collaboration stations on two main walls where the Huddleboards can dock to download their ideas into a digital image format to the web. Images can be retrieved and inserted into other formats. These images can be shared with a larger group. The University of Sheffield is the first university in Europe to possess this technology. Huddleboards are an excellent vehicle for illustrating processes and presenting them back instantly.

One of the collaboratories also has plasma workstation clusters - built-in plasma screen technology that can be controlled from a central lectern. 4 x 42" screens are wall mounted to allow groups of up to 12 students per screen to work together. In addition there is one large 60" screen on the central presentation wall. The screens can be used simultaneously to show the same images or used individually per group. The presentation screen can also be used in isolation. Again, the configuring of the technology allows for additional flexibility for the users.

In-room laptop technology - there are 24 laptops available for use - Sony Vaio models have been chosen as they were seen to offer the best opportunities for more than one person to use at the same time having a large high definition screen facility.

A range of fixed sound and video camcorder facilities are ceiling mounted and this video-recording suite allows best practice to be recorded and shared. One of the other collaboratories has access grid node (AGN) audio visual equipment which provides a next generation video conferencing set up - enabling the sharing of experiences with other institutions.

Sympodium technology allows the user to write over any presentation in digital ink, highlight concepts and take notes.

Digital cameras and camcorders are available for loan to students.

An electronic response system with voting buttons is also available. The technology has proved successful in encouraging student involvement in larger teaching sessions.

PCs have 21" monitors in the CILASS office and 24" in the Collaboratory spaces. Smaller Dell PC boxes have been chosen deliberately as they offer space saving solutions.

CILASS has its own dedicated technician to deal with technical support issues and the maintenance and set up of the laptop technology. CILASS also works closely with the University's Audio-Visual (AV) Service Team and has shared ideas for development.

Adding Value

Technology aids the collaboration and flexibility within the spaces. Groups working on figure of 8 tables can 'talk' through the lecterns and can project their work through laptops and on to the various available screens. The technology supports and complements the student learning.

The Audio-Visual experts, led by Ian Knowles, at the University of Sheffield have thought beyond the usual confines - and have been able to roll out these new and innovative initiatives further across the University in some of the other teaching rooms.

The AV experts at the University of Sheffield are very proactive and have worked hard to ensure that the technology provided is proven, this thorough approach included Ian Knowles liaising with colleagues at Wallenberg Hall at Stanford University to follow up feedback on the huddleboard and copy cam technology.