Spring 2021 Converged Learning Classroom Technologies by Room

Setting Yourself Up in an OWL Classroom

Setting Yourself Up in a Cisco Classroom

What is an OWL room? 

A classroom with a laptop and 360 degree camera. Check out the Converged Learning Classroom Summary to see which rooms have which devices in them.  

What is a Cisco room?

A classroom with a laptop, permanently installed camera, microphone, and speaker already within the room.

What is a visualizer? 

Another name for a visualizer is a document camera. It is like a traditional overhead projector (transparencies) that plugs into the computer and displays, through the computer, what is shown below the camera.  

Does WebEx Training also work with these systems?

Webex Training will work with OWL rooms, but it is not compatible with Cisco rooms.

Will there be a “cheat sheet” in each room with simple instructions? 

Yes we are working on a checklist/cheat sheet.  We will also have videos on the ITE website.

Is there any way to write on the whiteboard in class, and the results projected to the system somehow?

No. Remote students will not be able to see what you write on whiteboards. Plan to use screen sharing or document cameras if you need to write (equations, graphs, etc.) for your students. It is recommended to use the document camera.

Will we be able to go in and practice in our rooms before class starts?

Yes. Appointments must be made at least 2 days in advance and are first-call, first-serve. Appointments must be requested via email to mtss@njit.edu (24/7) or by calling 973-596-3005 (M-F, 9-4pm).

Is it possible to have a breakout session? 

Webex Training Center currently has breakout sessions (audio and text only--no video). However, a breakout feature is in development for Webex Meetings and should be available mid-September. If you would like access to Webex Training Center, email instruction@njit.edu .

Note: Webex Training Center is only available for use in OWL rooms.

If students in the room ask questions, can they be heard clearly by the remote participants?

This will depend on various different factors including the size of the room, the type of room being used, and how loud or far away students are from the speaker. As such, instructors should always repeat the questions AND answers voiced by students in the room for the benefit of the remote students. Additionally, pausing every 10-15 minutes may allow time for remote students to ask their own questions either through the chat or through video.

Is it required to record a session? Can one use a PowerPoint with audio track for a lecture?

It is strongly recommended that you record all class sessions, as this is a great resource for students to review important course lectures, class discussions, and materials when studying for exams. In addition, students who miss all or parts of class due to technical issues at home will have a way to catch up.

Do you recommend all students be in the online Webex room even if in the classroom?

Students do not have to be in the Webex room even when physically in the classroom. They can see the content, instructor, and remote students depending on the classroom. This is up to the discretion of the instructor.

Will I be visible and will the camera follow me around the room as I teach?

OWL room: The camera includes a 360 pan of the room as well as a focus on the individual that is speaking. If you move and speak, it will focus on your location. Watch the Meeting Owl Pro Demo. Cisco room: The camera is permanently built into the room and programmed to follow the “presenter” (in a classroom this would be the instructor) as they move in the front of the classroom.

Will in-class students see online students and vice versa?

Yes. Cisco Rooms have more than one screen where remote students are shown on one screen while another screen holds the content. See Changing Cisco Views for an example. OWL rooms may only have one screen in which remote students will not be seen when content is being shared. If you are not sharing content, you can project your Webex screen, which would show remote participants.

Will NJIT require students to turn on their cameras during lecture or is that up to the instructor?

Video is not required by NJIT. You can ask students to turn on their webcams, using virtual backgrounds to protect their privacy, but it is not feasible to require students to have their webcams on at all times. Some students will experience bandwidth issues that will disrupt their connection to the class session. Turning off their camera is a way to create a better connection to the video conference. A good strategy would be to ask students to do it if they are able to, or at least when they are speaking/asking a question. Instructors should also make use of polling features for quick, on-demand feedback and check ins with students.

If you play a video in your class, then can both students in the room and remote students hear the audio simultaneously?

When you select share content a pop-up window appears where you select the screen or application you would like to share.  In the upper left corner there is a drop down menu, select optimize for motion and video if you plan to play videos.

How can you monitor the attendance?

There are some different ways to take attendance which may include going through the participants list within the Webex session or generating a usage report from Webex. See the Webex Polling Tutorial.

Will there always be a laptop available in each room?

Please review the IST site for a list of rooms that will have laptops available.

Will document cameras work with Macs?

Yes, the most recently purchased Document Cameras work with Macs also while sharing screens within WebEx.

Are document cameras being provided?

Please review the IST site for a list of rooms that will have document cameras available.

Is it possible to record the session automatically?

Yes, you can do this when scheduling the WebEx Meeting before your class meets. First, click Scheduling Options, then check off the Automatically start recording when the meeting starts.

Do WebEx sessions have to be scheduled or does this happen automatically?  

You must schedule the Webex Meetings, this does not happen automatically. See Scheduling a WebEx Meeting. This can also be done through the WebEx Canvas Integration within Virtual Meetings. In this case, scheduling may be done directly through Canvas to benefit students in the way of allowing them to see all of their meetings and assignments in their Canvas calendar.

Do we need to bring our own headset and microphone?

No.

Do we need to bring a USB for OWL rooms?

No, they will be provided.

If remote students are on our laptop screen, how do we see the visual material (e.g. PowerPoint) we want to present?

Without any sharing of content, remote students will be visible on the projector screen for the instructor and students to see. In an OWL room, once content is shared, remote students are not visible to in-class students. In a Cisco room, there are separate screens to display both at the same time.

Will someone be available to troubleshoot in the first few minutes of day one class? 

All MTSS will be reassigned to instructional support for September (limited event support).

How is student attendance determined? 

Student attendance will be determined by an application. The class attendance will allow a certain portion of students to attend in which in-person attendance will change throughout the semester. More information on this application will be made available shortly.

For further questions and assistance, please submit a request to the IST Service Desk.