How to Use the Technology in General Classrooms

Here are some basic instructions on how to connect your laptop and use the A/V control panel, classroom computer, and document camera (doc cam) in general classrooms at Boise State.

How to Use the A/V Control Panel

Here’s how to use the Crestron control panel in general classrooms at Boise State.

1. Tap anywhere on the Crestron Control Panel to activate it.
2. The DISPLAY settings operate the projector.
3. Tap the ON or OFF buttons to turn the projector on or off.
4. Toggle AV MUTE to temporarily turn on or off the projector. Use this method to temporarily hide your computer desktop and screen.
5. Use MEDIA settings to select which device to project on the wall or screen:
   1. PC projects the computer in the classroom.
   2. DOC CAM projects the document camera.
   3. LAPTOP projects your laptop screen.
6. Raise, lower, and mute the audio levels using the Crestron panel.
7. If you’re using a laptop in the classroom, you may have to adjust the system audio to around 75% for best audio in the room.

For immediate assistance with classroom technology, contact the Help Desk at (208) 426-4357 (HELP).

 

How to use Zoom for Video-conferencing in the Classroom

Here’s how to use Zoom video-conferencing in the classroom to accommodate both remote and in-person students.

1. Log in to the podium computer

2. Log in to my.boisestate.edu

3. Log in to Canvas

4. Launch your course materials (e.g. PowerPoint)

5. Click on the Zoom tool link on the left-hand navigation menu in Canvas.

6. Click Start to start the Zoom meeting

7. Click Join with Computer Audio when prompted

8. Click the ^ next to the mic icon to select the speaker and microphone for the classroom

9. Click the ^ next to the video icon to select the video input source for the classroom

10. Click Record and choose Record to Cloud

11. Share screen

12. Click on Chat to monitor questions (can minimize Chat window if desired)

13. Click on Participants to admit students from the Waiting Room

14. At the end of your class period, end the Zoom meeting

 

How to Record Your Classroom Lecture Using Panopto

Here’s how to record your classroom lecture, PowerPoint presentation, the computer screen, and the document camera (doc cam) using Panopto.

1. Log in to the podium computer
2. Log in to my.boisestate.edu
3. Log in to Canvas
4. Launch your course materials (e.g. PowerPoint)
5. Click on the Panopto tool link on the left-hand navigation menu in Canvas (called Panopto Video).
6. Click Create, this will launch the Panopto application
7. Confirm the selected folder is correct (see image label #1)
8. Click the drop-down menu for Video to select the camera for the classroom
9. Click the drop-down menu for Audio to choose the microphone for the classroom
10. Test your audio levels by observing the meter. If levels are too high or too low, use the slider to adjust the sensitivity.
11. Check the box next to Capture Computer Audio (see image label #2)
12. Check the box next to Capture PowerPoint if using a Microsoft PowerPoint (see image label #2)
13. Check the box next to Capture Main Screen
14. Click the fps drag bar at the bottom and drag it to the middle (30 fps) (see image label #4)
15. The recorder screen will at first be visible. Minimize it while recording your session, then open it back up to either pause or stop your recording
16. At the end of your class period, click Stop on the recording and then click Done
17. The Manage Recordings screen will appear, Panopto can now be closed

 

How to Connect Your Laptop to the Classroom Projector

Here’s how to connect your laptop to the classroom projector in general classrooms at Boise State University.

1. First, find the HDMI cable at the lectern.
2. The HDMI cable is rectilinear but with slanted sides from top to bottom. HDMI carries video and audio.
3. Plug the HDMI cable into the HDMI port on your laptop.
4. You may need an HDMI or VGA adapter if your laptop or device does not have either of these ports.
5. When using video adapters, you may need to plug in the audio cable to the headphone jack on your laptop or device for sound.
6. Next, tap anywhere on the screen to wake the Crestron A/V control panel.
7. Under DISPLAY, tap ON to turn on the projector.
8. Tap LAPTOP to display from your laptop. Your laptop should now display on the wall or screen at the front of the room.
9. Toggle AV MUTE to temporarily turn on or off the projector display. The AV MUTE button flashes when the display is off.
10. Raise, lower, and mute the audio levels using the Crestron panel.

For immediate assistance with classroom technology, contact the Help Desk at (208) 426-4357 (HELP).

 

How to Use the Classroom Computer: DVD’s, USB Drives, Keyboard and Mouse

Here’s how to use the computer in your general classroom at Boise State. Specifically, here’s how to use the DVD player, USB drives, and where you can find the keyboard and mouse.

1. Wake the classroom computer by moving the mouse.
2. The keyboard and mouse may be stored in a drawer of the lectern.
3. Sign in to the room computer with your Boise State username and password.

 

USB and Thumb Drives

• USB ports are located on the side or bottom of the monitor and sometimes on an extension cable from the computer.

 

How to Play DVD’s

1. To play DVD’s, you’ll need to open the lectern to access the computer.
2. Open the DVD tray, snap in the disc, and carefully close the DVD tray.
3. Double-click “This PC” on the desktop to open a new window.
4. Double-click the DVD RW Drive icon located under “Devices and drives” to launch the DVD software.
5. Use the software controls to play, pause, and stop the DVD.

For immediate assistance with classroom technology, contact the Help Desk at (208) 426-4357 (HELP).

 

How to Use the Doc Cam

Here’s how to use the doc cam (document camera) in general classrooms at Boise State.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are using Zoom or Panopto to record your lecture, you’ll need to use the Document Camera application accessed via an icon from the computer Desktop screen. If you use the Crestron control panel, your recording will not include the Document Camera content.

1. First, press and hold the power button to turn on the doc cam.
2. Tap anywhere on the screen to wake the Crestron A/V control panel.
3. Under DISPLAY, tap ON to turn on the projector.
4. Tap DOC CAM to display from the doc cam.
5. Experiment with where to place items under the doc cam for best results on the wall or screen.

For immediate assistance with classroom technology, contact the Help Desk at (208) 426-4357 (HELP).