Classroom Support
Classroom Support
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Classes and classroom support are the primary focus of the ITS Classroom and Event Services team. We work to ensure that the classrooms we have designed work effectively and are maintained properly.
How To Get Help
How To Get Help
For urgent assistance during class time, call 413-585-3474.
Support Guidelines
Support Guidelines
We provide training on how to use these classrooms, in advance or through a one-time “HelpStart,” in which we assist you at the beginning of a live class session to ensure that you will know how to use the classroom equipment on your own moving forward. You can read more about the classrooms we support below.
We are best positioned to support class-related requests that come in at least three business days in advance. We will do our best to support impromptu requests, with the understanding that we may not have the capacity to do so in all cases.
We have not been involved in the design and installation of all the classrooms on campus. Our support for classrooms designed by other parties may be limited and will take second priority if we have competing requests for assistance in other classrooms.
Standard Classroom Technology
Standard Classroom Technology
The Registrar's Office manages the assignment of classrooms each semester.
All Registrar and most departmental classrooms have the following standard technology:
Projection or a large TV screen
Speakers
Connections for a laptop, document camera, or other HDMI device
Digital touch screen control system OR a button control panel for controlling room AV
Most registrar classrooms also have a classroom computer
Registrar scheduled classrooms also have a webcam on a tripod:
These rooms have projection for shared content and a high-quality webcam on a tripod that can be positioned to send video from the classroom. This is good for enabling remote speakers to participate and for recording via Zoom.
The webcam has a built-in mic. Some rooms have a classroom mic receiver that can be used with lapel mics and may have an additional wireless handheld mic that can be passed around for Q&A.
If you need additional equipment that is not present in a classroom (Blu-ray/DVD/CD players, document cameras, lapel mic for equipped rooms, etc.), submit a Classroom & Event Support ticket on the Request Help page. Equipment should be requested at least three business days in advance.
Specialized Room Technology
Specialized Room Technology
Classrooms with Full Zoom Capability
Classrooms with Full Zoom Capability
In addition to the standard classroom technology, these rooms also have built-in cameras and microphones for both in-room and Zoom use, and have multiple screens for viewing remote participants and shared content separately. This setup allows for everyone in the room to be seen and heard over Zoom.
Ford 240
McConnell 102
Neilson Library classrooms
Note: Neilson Library classrooms do NOT have classroom computers. Instructors should bring a laptop if needed. Neilson 102 Browsing Room is only available for classroom scheduling between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
Flexible Classrooms
Flexible Classrooms
While also fully Zoom-capable, the following rooms have mobile furniture and multiple projection screens to support group work and non-standard classroom layouts. They do NOT have classroom computers.
Bass Young classroom
Bass 204
Seelye 106
With flexible furniture and AV support for group work:
Seelye 301 has a classroom computer and a webcam on a tripod, which does not support everyone in the room being seen and heard over Zoom.
Note: We strongly recommend that instructors meet with a classroom support technician before teaching in these spaces. To schedule a meeting, submit a Classroom & Event Support ticket on the Request Help page.
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
See Zoom for information on Zoom meeting basics, sharing guidelines and links to Zoom help materials.
Share Your Screen Wirelessly in Registrar Classrooms
Share Your Screen Wirelessly in Registrar Classrooms
Registrar Classrooms and most departmental teaching spaces allow you to share your screen without connecting to any cables or starting a Zoom meeting. The room acts as its own meeting space, meaning you can "join" the room from your computer, tablet, or smartphone at any time. This is easiest if you have the Zoom app installed on your device.
Before you Begin
Before you Begin
Make sure you have installed the Zoom app on your device. To use this feature without the Zoom app, go to share.zoom.us and enter the meeting ID in step 3 below.
If you do not have the app installed on your computer:
Go to the Zoom download center and select your operating system to download and install Zoom. You can also download the Zoom app for your tablet or smartphone for free through the Apple App store or Google Play store.
Once downloaded, sign into Zoom by selecting Login with SSO, then sign in with your Smith credentials.
Share Your Screen
Share Your Screen
To power on the room’s Display System, select the Zoom / Wireless Screenshare button on the touch panel. The room’s display panel will show a 6-character Sharing Key.
Open the Zoom app on your device. On the home page of the app, select Share Screen.
A pop-up window will open and ask for a Sharing Key or Meeting ID. Enter the Sharing Key shown in the top right corner of the projections screen in the pop-up window of your Zoom app, then select Share Screen.
Your screen and audio will immediately begin sharing on the room display(s) and speaker. When you are finished, select Stop Share on your device, or close the Zoom app.
Power Down the Room
Power Down the Room
Help keep this system working! When you’re done using the room, we kindly ask that you turn off the Display System to ensure it works for the next person.
Select the Power button on the room wall panel. The room system will automatically reset for the next user.
Connect a Registrar Classroom to a Zoom Meeting
Connect a Registrar Classroom to a Zoom Meeting
Registrar Classrooms and some departmental teaching spaces allow you to connect the room itself to a Zoom meeting, meaning any built-in cameras, microphones, and speakers in the room will automatically connect to your meeting at one time.
Before you Begin
Before you Begin
Make sure you have installed the Zoom app on your device. This feature will not work from the Zoom website.
If you do not have the app installed on your computer:
Go to the Zoom download center and select your operating system to download and install Zoom. You can also download the Zoom app for your tablet or smartphone for free through the Apple App store or Google Play store.
Once downloaded, sign into Zoom by selecting Login with SSO, then sign in with your Smith credentials.
Connect the Room to Zoom
Connect the Room to Zoom
There are different methods used to connect the room to Zoom for Smith account holders and guests.
Invite the Room to Join an Existing Zoom Meeting - This method works when the meeting host is using a Smith Zoom account. This will not work if the meeting host is not logged into Zoom using a Smith account.
Smith meeting host: start the Zoom meeting on your computer.
From the Zoom meeting, select Participants, then Invite.
Select the Zoom Rooms tab. You can scroll through the list of rooms, but the quickest way is to type-to-search for the room name/number. Select the appropriate room then select Invite.
The room iPad Zoom Room controller will play a ringtone to indicate there is an incoming call. Select Accept on the iPad to join the meeting.
The iPad will show additional controls so you can:
Mute/unmute the room microphone.
Start or stop video.
Adjust the room volume.
Change the angle and zoom of the built-in camera.
When you are finished with the meeting, tap Leave on the room display panel.
Select the Power button on the room display panel. The display will turn off and the room system will reset for the next person.
Ask to Join an Existing Zoom Meeting from the Room - this method is used to join meetings hosted by non-Smith Zoom accounts (e.g. a Five college Zoom meeting), but it can be used to join Smith Zooms.
Touch the room display panel to turn it on, then use the keypad to enter the Zoom meeting ID number (you can find this in your Zoom meeting invitation).
Tap Join. A panel message will ask you to wait while the room display(s) turn on.
If the meeting host has a waiting room enabled, then they will see a message that the name of your room (e.g. “Neilson 010a) has joined the waiting room. The host can select Admit to add the room to the meeting.
Host a Zoom Meeting from the Room - you can host a Zoom meeting directly through the room display panel. You do not need to have a laptop, tablet, or other device to start the meeting.
To power on the room’s Display System, select the Zoom / Wireless Screenshare button on the touch panel.
Use the iPad Zoom Room Controller to Start Meeting. A message will appear that the meeting is starting, and the built-in camera and audio system will turn on.
The Zoom Meeting ID will display at the top of the iPad. Share this number with your attendees so they can join the meeting.
Note: You can manage attendees, including muting someone’s audio, by tapping Manage Participants on the iPad.
When your meeting is finished, select Leave on the room display panel, then press End Meeting for All. The meeting will close.
Select Power on the panel. The display will turn off and the system will reset for the next person.
About Our Guidelines
About Our Guidelines
These guidelines are effective as of August 2024, following an extended management review that took place in academic year 2023–24. We’re grateful to the classroom committee, the committee on educational technology, and to the provost’s office and other campus partners for consulting with us—these guidelines will help us provide you with the best support possible.
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