Rice University

Classroom Technologies

DCH 1020 / SYM II Duncan Hall

  • Symonds II Lab Symonds II Collaborative Learning Lab
  • Symonds II Lab Symonds II Collaborative Learning Lab
  • Symonds II Lab Symonds II Collaborative Learning Lab
  • Symonds II Lab Symonds II Collaborative Learning Lab
  • Symonds II Lab Symonds II Collaborative Learning Lab
  • Symonds II Lab Symonds II Collaborative Learning Lab
Room Type
Computer Lab
Seats
66 - Tables & Chairs
Lighting
Fluorescent
Dimmable
Zoned
Windows
Windows with Blinds/Shades
Writing Surface
Whiteboard
55"
Projection Surface
Large LCD Display
55"
Computers
Instructor PC
33 PCs
1 Laptop VGA Ports
1 Laptop HDMI Ports
Outlets
Power at seats? Yes
Video Conferencing
Available? No
Accessibility
Student Wheelchair Access? Yes
Instructor Wheelchair Access? Yes
Flooring
Carpet

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Technology Instructions

Symonds II:  Collaborative Learning Lab

The "Symonds II:  Collaborative Learning Lab" is a teaching computer lab designed to be used in multiple ways for a collaborative teaching experience.  

The system is primarily controlled by a touch-panel which is located on the instructor station in the center of the room.  The system however, can be controlled independantly from each station or "pod".  Each "pod" has the ability to act as it's own mini classroom which allows for group collaboration and special focus on integrated learning.  The pod systems can be controlled by their own touch-panel located at each pod table, or by the instructor system in the center of the room which can choose which "pod" views what content.  

The collaborative lab contains 9 "pods", which seat 3 to 4 students per pod.  The room also contains 10 main "LCD TV Displays" which are located at each of the 9 pods and 1 display located to the left of the instructor station.  The "instructor display" also doubles as a "digital white-board" which can be used to present content on either the display only or distributed to the "pod displays".  All content from the instructor station can be distriubted to all pod displays and present either the installed instructor PC, Laptop, Document camera or digital white-board.

Classroom activation:

1 - Wake the touch-panel:

The “touch-panel” is located on the left side of the instructor desk and doubles as a annotation screen for the digital whie-board.

2 - Activation of projectors/display:

With the touch-panel activated, you may select the souce and displays the system will use during your session.

3 - Source display:

When your choice of configuration is selected, a guide dialog box will appear prompting the user to select their desired source. Please make sure to select the source you wish to use at this time. 

Note: The selected PC computer may be in hibernation mode; thus you will have to "wiggle" the mouse or press the "Esc" (escape) button on the keyboard to wake the computer.

4 - Shade control:

The room shades are mechanical and can be lowered at each window by a pull cord.

5 - Monitor:

The monitor should be left on at all times, however sleep mode does activate after no source is present for 15 minutes. To wake the monitor, you must first activate the system at the “touch-panel”, wake the computer you plan to use by pressing the escape button or wiggling the mouse. Once the computer is operational an image should be presented on the monitor. It’s possible the monitor was powered off if no image is viewable on the monitor. Please locate the monitor power button and press to activate the monitor (location of power button will vary depending on monitor model).

6 - Audio:

There are three audio levels that must be taken into consideration when operating room audio. The computer audio should be at max level. The software audio should also be adjusted accordingly. The room audio at the touch-panel can then be adjusted up or down to further calibrate the room audio, this can be done using the “up” and “down” hard buttons on the left side of the touch-panel.

7 - Microphones (if applicable):

Microphones are currently available in this room and are located a the instructor station.

Note: Not all classrooms are equipped with microphones.

Issues, questions, or urgent assistance please contact OIT Operations desk at 713-348-4989.

In this room:


Dell OptiPlex 9020:

Operation:

The PC computer can be selected from the source selection device particular to the system being used.  The PC computer has a 15-minute inactivity sleep timer that will activate when the keyboard or mouse are not moved, however the timer is rendered inactive when viewing a powerpoint file in presentation mode or watching a video (youtube, netflix, etc, or media player) in full screen mode.  When the PC computer is selected you may need to "wiggle" the mouse or press any key on the keyboard to wake the computer.  

Login:

On the login screen you may enter your "netid" or "temporary visitor id" that was obtained through the OIT help desk 713-348-HELP (4357).  All software on the PC computer is available to all who login to the computer.  The current software suite can be found at the following link.

USB:

The PC computer has USB ports on the front of the computer that can be used to plug and access your USB memory stick, charge a mobile phone, or plug a wireless receiver for a presentation advancing remote.

Software Link:  

PC Software Load: (Fall 2016 - Spring 2017)

 

Issues, questions, or urgent assistance please contact OIT Operations desk at 713-348-4989.