University of Nottingham, Robotics Laboratories
AV INSTALLED
JM Alpha Lectern
Sennheiser Speechline Mics
Extron AVOIP
BYOD
Dedicated to pushing boundaries and producing world-changing research, the University of Nottingham's Engineering department is in the top ten in the UK. Named after Sir Joseph Pope, an Engineering pioneer, the Pope Building is home to the university's main engineering teaching spaces. The university required an AV design and installation across two large classrooms/ robotic laboratories, hosting 192 students.
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Collaborative working through content sharing
The 32 desks, each with space for six students, were supplied with BYOD connectivity (HDMI) or a university computer, mounted on a stand to encourage collaborative work through content sharing. To enable content distribution to the vast number of displays across the spaces, AVOIP was deployed; this allows the lecturer to override the students' displays to show the source from the lectern, which could be PC/HDMI/Doc Cam/Blu-Ray Player. Extron AVOIP was selected because it is the best fit for the project, the university's preferred manufacturer, and wants to deploy the AVOIP on their network infrastructure.
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A leading lecturer solution
A JM Alpha 2200mm custom university branded lectern is the central teaching position for academic staff, complete with an Iiyama monitor and Extron control touch panel. For voice amplification through the space, Sennheiser Speechline microphones were supplied, using Extron's Flat Field speakers, which also functioned as amplifiers for programme audio.
The university also required the ability to connect the two classrooms to create a larger teaching space. The 1st-floor room acts as the primary room, with the 2nd-floor room becoming the secondary room. The primary room can take control of the secondary room, and display content to the student stands on the second floor.
Voice amplification is critical for the second-floor room as there is no visual of the lecturer from the first floor. The lectern, lapel and handheld microphones are networked to the second-floor speakers allowing seamless interaction. And students on that level can consequently answer questions and speak to the class simply and clearly with the sound fully integrated into the university network DANTE for routing between floors.
Challenges
Due to a delay with the building contractors, GVAV had to work within a tight time frame.
To meet project delivery targets, the team constructed all of the stands in an alternate building, ready for installation. As network integration was key to the success of this project, GVAV worked closely with the network team to deliver the project efficiently and on schedule and to an excellent standard.
“As with any major building refurbishment project, unforeseen challenges arrive, and all parties involved are required to have a certain level of flexibility to deliver success. Our long-term relationship with GVAV has proven once again that their flexible determination and ability to pro-actively collaborate with all departments and stakeholders was a key element to delivering this bespoke AV system to the University”