Sean Gunduz, Sr. Product Manager, Projectors at Epson says the BrightLink Projectors’ multi-functional features add to the collaborative classrooms’ magic.
Why Colleges Love Epson BrightLink Projectors
1) They work without a computer
It’s a “digital whiteboard that works without a computer,” Gunduz says. “That’s our key differentiator in the market. No other manufacturer with an interactive display has this functionality – it’s a digital white board with interactive abilities.”
2) Provides an interactive display
When it “connects to an HDMI cable, you can show everything on your computer,” Gunduz says. “But the magic happens when you connect to a USB cable…you’re using the BrightLink as a display.”
3) You can use them as videoconferencing devices
“You can do split screen, you can see your computer on one side, video on the other; you can see the white board on one side, video on the other side; you have all these diverse functionalities,” Gunduz says.
“BrightLink Pro turns any flat surface into a digital whiteboard, that’s the main feature,” he says. “[You can] add new pages, insert images, things you can’t do with a typical dry erase board. You can share the white boards with mobile devices – up to 15 people can share at the same time…and it’s virtually device agnostic.”
Impact
Since installing these collaborative classrooms, Benavides says he’s seen more instructors wanting to teach in them.
“These classrooms weren’t used all the time at first because instructors can be a little leery and they don’t feel confident with the technology,” he says. “With the upgrades of these classrooms, I’ve noticed an increase in the number of classes that are offered in these rooms. That’s a direct impact.”
Now, instead of complaining about old spaces and dated technology, Benavides says instructors’ only problem is fighting to get into one of those spaces.
“Everyone wants to use it – the rooms are so busy that sometimes, there is no more access,” he says. “So they feel frustrated about that sometimes.”
Tips to Managing Your College’s Collaborative Classrooms
Don’t be afraid to spy
Benavides encourages other colleges to take a look at CSU’s collaborative classrooms. That way, decision makers can see the rooms and technology in action, and note which features would benefit their campuses.
“It’s not the same telling someone how you use the classroom,” he says. “They can come and look…They can see what there is to consider.”
Be ready to adapt
For colleges looking to copy CSU’s collaborative classrooms, Benavides says instructors will have to change the way that they teach.
He says these rooms are geared around letting students take the reins on their learning, and encouraging instructors to step back.
“If they’re expecting faculty in schools to be in front of the classroom, that’s not going to work,” Benavides says. “They have to change the way they teach. They need to let the students learn. And it requires a lot of planning.”
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