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Classroom Technology Standard

Date of Current Revision or Creation:ÌýNovember 1, 2021

The purpose of an Information Technology Standard is to specify requirements for compliance with ¹ÏÉñÍø Information Technology policies, other University policies, as well as applicable laws and regulations. Standards may include business principles, best practices, technical standards, migration and implementation strategies, that direct the design, deployment and management of information technology.

Purpose

The purpose of this compliance standard is to describe the minimum technology standards for the design and layout for new and existing classrooms.

Definitions

Classroom Central is the organizational unit within ITS that manages technology classrooms, design, and installation of classroom equipment.

Master PROX key is a proximity key with encoding that will access all many classroom doors. This key is used only in emergencies and is kept in a secure location.

ITS is the acronym for the official name of the Information Technology Services.

Proximity card (Swipe card) is the generic name for contactless integrated circuit devices used for door access. At ¹ÏÉñÍø, faculty and staff identification cards may be encoded to permit authorized access to classrooms.

Proximity door lock is a device that secures classroom doors and permits access using radio-frequency identification (RFID) card reader.

Standards Statement

Classroom Central provides and maintains, technology, services, to allow faculty, staff, and students to take full advantage of the university's technology classrooms and is responsible for ensuring that classrooms meet minimum standards.

General Principles

• Technology classrooms should be flexible to serve multiple users and pedagogical styles across a broad academic spectrum.
• The design should provide easy flow and mobility and egress for students and teacher as well as interaction.
• The design should provide for network connectivity for data, voice, and video information.
• Educational technology systems should be "user friendly" and easily operated by a teacher without the assistance of a technician.
• The design should be closely coordinated with lighting and mechanical systems.
• The design should contain cost without sacrificing quality.

Space Requirements

• Facilities Management must approve any space renovations that include any structural, electrical or HVAC work. Approval must be received before any work can be started.
• All work must be performed by license contractor(s) for the type of work being performed.
• Plans, CAF drawings, and written explanation of changes/additions are to be provided by the contractor to the project manager at least 4 weeks prior to start date.

Room Layout Specifications

• For most technology classrooms the following layout design guidelines apply. Specific design issues will vary based on a wide variety of factors including, application, available facilities, intended purpose of space and cost.
• Whenever possible, the instructors' desk should be positioned on the diagonal from classroom door. This allows for students to enter and exit the classroom without disrupting the lecture.
• Classroom windows should have closable shades.

Electrical Computer and Network Specifications

• Ceiling flush-mounted dual 110v electrical outlets, located 14'-16' from the projector screen with a 4' whip above the ceiling, are required to power the ceiling projector.
• Ceiling electrical outlets must be on the same phase as the outlets on the instructor's desk.
• Most projectors require 20 amps requiring electrical outlets to be on a dedicated circuit. In rooms with an electric projector screen, the circuit for the projector and be shared with the projection screen.
• The instructor's desk location requires a minimum of six network jacks and an 110v 20amp dedicated power outlet.
• A VoIP data jack, installed at the standard light switch height of 48 inches above the floor near the instructor desk, is required for a VoIP telephone.

Door Security Specifications

• All new classrooms are equipped with a wired proximity door lock for swipe card access.
• The override key is the ITS Master PROX key.

Lighting Specifications

• Classroom lighting is to be designed to allow the instructor to turn off the lights in banks, Zones).
• The first bank of lights, (Zones) are to be the row of light closest to the projection screen.
• Light switches are to be located near the instructor's desk and at the classroom entrance.
• Flush-mounted lights are preferred over drop-down lights, (Pendant lighting) as drop-down lights may block the projected image from the projector.
• If drop down lights are the only option, lights are to be installed so that they do not interfere with the projector line of sight to the screen.

Screen Specifications

Screen location depends on the room size, location of seating, and ceiling height.

• An appropriately sized projection screen, based on room layout and will allow for each seat to have a clear, unobstructed view of the projected image. The screen size will be determined so that the bottom of the screen will not exceed the tray of the marker board. Currently, screens have an aspect ratio of 16:10.
• Manual pull down screens are the standard for rooms that seat 60 or less.
• For large rooms of 60 or more and lecture halls, an electric screen with tension tabs.
• Screens are installed below the ceiling with no impact on ceiling design whenever possible allowing for life cycle replacement to occur without a replacement of ceiling tiles.
• Screens are installed centered on the front wall whenever possible.
• Whiteboards are to be installed to allow use if the screen is in the down position whenever possible and should be seamless with at least (1) 4 ft X 8 ft section.

Equipment Specifications

• All equipment should provide the best possible image quality for both analog and digital content, or computer or other sources.
• Ceiling-mounted speakers should be zoned for better sound quality and even distribution.
• Projector rating for any classroom is to be no less than 6000 ANSI Lumens with a corresponding increase with larger classroom layouts. The minimum projector resolution is 1980 X 1080.
• Program audio amplification is required in any room with computer and video projection. The power, size, and number of speakers depend largely on the size and acoustics of the space.
• Most classrooms will have an All-In-One computer instead of a rack mounted CPU.

Furniture Specifications

• Instructor's desk/podium is provided through the ITS authorized contractor and is designed for all media equipment, including the computer. No other space is required for equipment. Large lecture halls may be an exception.
• Whenever possible, the desk or podium will be height adjustable.
• Audio/visual equipment is typically rack mounted within the instructor's desk.
• Classrooms with less than 60 seats should include a podium capable of providing connectivity to the network, power, and audio/video devices.
• Classrooms with more than 60 seats should include a podium capable of providing connectivity to the network, power and audio/video devices, sound systems, and other room peripherals.

Procedures, Guidelines & Other Related Information

• Classroom Central

History