Recent and "In the Works" Classroom Projects
Renovations and new facilities
2007
We upgraded 5 rooms in Callaway Memorial to AV Level 1. Now each of the rooms in the South Hallway is AV Level 1, allowing greater flexibility to the registrar in scheduling. These rooms also received several cosmetic upgrades. One room, C101, was upgraded to a dual screen/dual Sympodium space that allows on-screen annotation by the instructor. It also received new carpet, paint, and a new lower-profile lectern.
Emerson 102 had its configuration changed in consultation with the Department of Chemistry in an attempt to encourage a more collaborative learning approach. The standard seminar style tables were replaced with a series of moveable round tables and removable whiteboards were installed around the perimeter that the students could lift down to work and then place back for group discussion.
Upgrades were made to departmental rooms in English, the Office of Undergraduate Education, Religion, Comparative Literature, Educational Studies, and Biology. In addition to this work, we began the practice of adding Roomview to all newly upgraded departmental rooms. This software allows us to remotely administer and troubleshoot systems and also to monitor usage so that we can replace lamps before they fail. It is already installed in all Registrar rooms.
On the first floor of White Hall, We replaced all of the older, larger lecterns with standard lecterns. Also, all of the damaged markerboard material on this floor was replaced with a new product.
| Summary of Registrar Rooms AV Levels | ||
| Level 1 | 59 | 72% |
| Level 2 | 0 | 0% |
| Level 3 | 2 | 2% |
| Level 4 | 17 | 21% |
| Level 5 | 4 | 5% |
2006
We upgraded a total of 9 registrar rooms in Bowden, Callaway, Tarbutton, White Hall and SAAC to AV Level 1. Now all College classrooms in White Hall are AV Level 1. The Anthropology 303 auditorium was upgraded to include dual screen projection and dual Sympodiums, allowing teachers to annotate what is being seen on the screens.
As of this summer, all Crestron equipped College classrooms are fitted with RoomView software that allows for remote management and support of the rooms. We upgraded 21 projectors across campus, removing older, less reliable pieces of equipment.
A number of physical changes were made to rooms as well. Chair rails were installed in Candler Library classrooms to reduce the damage the furniture was doing to the walls. Also, carpet was added to Callaway N109 and Tarbutton 106. Finally, we added small viewing windows in the doors of all Callaway registrar rooms to allow maintenance staff to see whether classes are going on before entering the space.
In departmental spaces, we upgraded classrooms for ILA, Educational Studies, Art History, Anthropology, and MESAS. The Biology department’s in 1462 Clifton Road were also fitted with upgraded AV and new computers. Of particular note, one English computer classroom was upgraded to AV Level 1 and fitted with new furniture, paint, carpet, boards and computers. The room also received a major HVAC upgrade to allow for the removal of some ceiling fans.
| Summary of Registrar Rooms AV Levels | ||
| Level 1 | 55 | 67% |
| Level 2 | 0 | 0% |
| Level 3 | 6 | 7% |
| Level 4 | 17 | 21% |
| Level 5 | 4 | 5% |
2005
We have upgraded registrar classrooms in Carlos Hall, Callaway, and Emerson. In addition, we have renovated Tarbutton Hall to make better use of space, including creating a new 45-seat registar classroom with windows, a renovated computer classroom for Political Science and Sociology, and an updated data lab for the graduate students in these departments. We have also create five offices.
We have also proactively replaced projectors in Atwood, Emerson, Psychology, and Woodruff Library that have reached the four year mark. We have also moved forward with installing RoomView software that allow us to remotely control systems in 1462 Clifton, Anthropology, Atwood, Bowden, Callaway, Candler, North Decatur, Schwartz Center, Tarbutton, and Woodruff Library. As a result, staff are able to help customers without leaving their desks. We are also be able to remotely turn off systems, thus saving lamp hours.
In other projects, University Technology Services (UTS) is working with Residence Life to introduce presentation and collaboration tools into the residence halls, in particular Woodruff Hall, which will be the home of the Sophomore Year Experience in 2005-06.
2004
During the summer 2004, we upgraded classrooms in 1462 Clifton, Bowden, Rich, the North Decatur Building, and Tarbutton.
Over the 2003-04 winter break, the College and University Technology Services (UTS) partnered to replace a failing presentation system in the Spanish department seminar room.
We also replaced data projectors in White Hall and other rooms that were four or more years older.
2003
In the summer of 2003, the newly renovated Candler Library opened, containing six registrar scheduled rooms along with departmental teaching facilities. All of registrar rooms will be Level One classrooms with computer, document camera, VCR, DVD, and Emory cable TV, along with the Emory College Standard Crestron control system.
Also in 2003, the old lecture style room, Dental School 100, was divided into two smaller (30-40 seat) rooms with presentation technology. We also upgraded Anthropology 105 to a level one room.
2002
During the summer of 2002 the Academic Infrastructure Team worked on a number of installations including upgrading existing facilities, adding new facilities to the general classroom pool, and enhancing departmental facilities.
Burlington 107 – A former lab of the Math/Computer Science department was renovated to become a classroom with Smart Podium including Macintosh computer, document camera, DVD player, multistandard VCR, Emory Cable TV, and a Emory College Standard Crestron control system. In addition, because the Music department would be a frequent user, we included a turntable and a Dolby surround sound system.
Callaway C101—The existing A/V system was modernized with a new computer, and DVD player. We replaced the older AMX control system with the Emory College Standard Crestron control system.
Callaway S108—The existing A/V system was modernized with a new projector, Macintosh computer, DVD player, and document camera. We replaced the older AMX control system with the Emory College Standard Crestron control system.
Geosciences 303—The existing A/V system was modernized with a new DVD player. We replaced the older AMX control system with the Emory College Standard Crestron control system.
Rich 103 –The existing A/V system was modernized with a new projector, DVD player, Macintosh computer, and Emory College Standard Crestron control system.
North Decatur Building 111, 112, 155 – Formerly dedicated Math/Computer Science classrooms, these three rooms will now be part of the Registar’s general classroom pool. They are outfitted with a Smart Podium including a computer, document camera, DVD, VCR, Emory Cable TV, and the Emory College Standard Crestron control system.
Tarbutton 120—The existing A/V system was modernized with a new projector, DVD player (replacing laser disk), and computer. We replaced the older AMX control system with the Emory College Standard Crestron control system.
Trimble 102—An Interactive Console was installed including a rear screen smartboard, Macintosh computer, document camera, multi-standard VCR, DVD player, Emory Cable TV, and the Emory College Standard Crestron control system.
Trimble 105—A ceiling-mounted data projector, Macintosh computer, and multistandard VCR was installed.
REALC seminar room -- An Interactive Console was installed including a rear screen smartboard, Macintosh computer, document camera, multi-standard VCR, DVD player, Emory Cable TV, and the Emory College Standard Crestron control system.
Mathematics and Science Center -- The new Mathematics and Science Center features both general College classrooms and departmental facilities. The six College classrooms have either a Smart Podium or desk housing a computer, document camera, DVD player, VCR, Emory Cable TV, and the Emory College Standard Crestron control system.
2001
Woodruff Library 774, 775 -- The seminar rooms on the seventh floor of Woodruff Library received acoustic, aesthetic, and audio-visual improvements. Now, all six rooms in the Woodruff Library scheduled for College classes possess a modern sensibility and state-of-the-art technology.
White Hall 207 -- White Hall 207 received a new smart podium to bring it in line with rooms 205 and 206. In a trial effort, the podium was positioned off to one side rather than centered. If this design is popular, other podiums can be moved as well.
Language Center Lab and Collaborative Classroom –- When the fourth floor of the Center for Library and Information Resources (CLAIR) was finished out in 2001, it included space for the Emory College Language Center Lab and also a Collaborative Classroom. In surveys, language faculty had indicated that while a computer language lab was essential, they also were interested in non-traditional teaching spaces that were student centered. As a result, we designed a small classroom for about eighteen students with banquette seating and wireless laptops, as well as the by now standard smart podium. This room serves to complement the more traditional 30-station computer lab, which also has a smart presentation system for use in training.
Educational Studies – A seminar room used for training graduate students was outfitted with what would become our standard “Interactive Console” for small rooms. This console featured a rear-screen, touchable SmartBoard, a VCR, DVD player, Emory Cable, document camera, computer, and laptop hookup.
2000
In the fall of 2000, the Emerson Building opened and provided three new seminar rooms for College classes. These rooms feature a "smart" credenza, just like our smart podiums but positioned off to one side at the front of the room. The credenzas house a document camera, VCR, cable tuner, and DVD player. They have laptop hookups.
Several renovation projects to improve classroom spaces were completed during the summer of 2000:
- In the Rich Building, we converted an underutilized vending room into a new seminar room with storage for media services.
- In the Woodruff Library, we made acoustic, aesthetic, and audio-visual upgrades to four classrooms in the stack tower that are scheduled for College use. Two of them are specifically designed for the teaching of languages.
- In the Atwood Building, four classrooms (two smaller and two larger) received audio-visual upgrades. Acoustic and aesthetic improvements are scheduled for next summer.
- In the Callaway Center, the French seminar room received new audio-visual equipment.
- In the Burlington Road Building, the A/V equipment in the Performing Arts Studio was upgraded.
- Several computer classrooms were upgraded with new CPUs and monitors.
Also over the summer months, specific classrooms received a fresh coat of paint and carpet replacement.
1999
In 1999, all of the classrooms in White Hall were aesthetically and acoustically improved. Fast new computers and functional "smart" podiums were added to seven of the rooms. From these podiums, a single touch-screen control panel will allow faculty to dim the lights, project the computer screen, and start the disc in the DVD player. Also in White Hall, a new seminar and meeting room was built and added to the College's pool of classrooms.
Other highlights include new computer classrooms in the Rich and Dental School buildings featuring robust computers and integrated, user-friendly audiovisual systems.
Teaching spaces were also improved in the Callaway Center, the Glenn Church School Building, Tarbutton Hall, and the Woodruff P.E. Center where upgrades included a new nutrition lab. Some of these projects involved taking rooms used for other purposes and dedicating them to undergraduate teaching.
Criteria for Classroom Renovations
- In approaching renovations, the Classroom Planning Group attempts to:
- Maximize use of space for undergraduate and graduate teaching.
- Balance requirements for general use with specific needs.
- Consider creative "adaptive re-use."
- Create additional space--within, around, near College facilities.
- Resist the conversion of classrooms into offices.
Cleaning and Maintenance
In addition to upgrades and renovations, the cleaning and maintenance of classroom facilities and equipment is crucial. Facilities Management has dedicated personnel to this endeavor and the College is working with them to address issues like clean boards and the migration of furniture between rooms. University Technology Services (UTS) is developing improved support mechanisms to help with the technology as well.
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