Campus classrooms slowly getting smarter

North Lake's plans to convert 20 classrooms to “smart rooms” before the fall semester have encountered unexpected delays. The unfinished rooms have put a strain on the eight “smart carts” (carts with a projector and PC) which Educational and Administrative Technology makes available for instructors in traditional classrooms, causing some requests to be denied.

For those unfamiliar with the term, “smart rooms” are classrooms equipped with computers, projectors and Internet connections. Ideally, smart rooms allow instructors to enhance lectures with multimedia presentations and Internet resources.

Jim Casey, interim dean of educational and administrative technology, cited outside vendor problems as contributing to delays in completing the installations of the remaining rooms. Casey wasn't sure when the issues with vendors would be resolved, but said that they were committed to fi nishing installations as soon as the ordered supplies arrived.

Part of the problem, according to Jeff Williams, an IS/LAN manager, is that the cabinets that house the computers have to be custom built. Williams said that they have used commercially available cabinets in the past, but have had issues with computers being disconnected or components removed.

If all goes according to the revised schedule, North Lake students and instructors can expect to see all 20 classrooms fully functional by the spring semester. Additional classroom conversions should follow shortly after.