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Classroom Design
Facilities Management and A/V Vendors
Download technical information about Technology Enhanced Classrooms (PDF)
Any planning for classroom design should include a team of people from several departments on campus.
This group should be involved with long range planning, renovations and new construction. Representatives
from: Media Services, Information Systems, Facilities, Divisional Deans and the Vice-President for
Instruction's office should be included.
Basic Media Specifications for Classrooms Should Include:
- Lighting: Overhead lighting should provide a minimum of 70 foot candles of illumination. Lighting controls
should be in front of the room, near the front chalk/whiteboard. A combination of both fluorescent and
incandescent lighting is desirable. Flourescents should turn completely off; while incandescents can be
dimmable. Three levels of lighting are desirable; full level for lecture/note taking; half level for use
of the overhead projector; near dark or completely dark for projection of other media.
- Electric: Two AC duplex receptacles each (4 outlets) should be located on both the front and rear center
walls. They are rated at 120V AC, 20A minimum.
- Windows: Windows shall be treated with dark/opaque roller shades or blackout drapes.
- Telecommunications: Outlets for telephone, data and video/rf shall be installed in a panel located in
the front of the room to the left of the chalk/whiteboards (as you face chalk/whiteboards).
- Projection Screen: A Da-Lite Model “B” or similar 84″ x 84″ matte white manual pull-down projection screen shall be centered in the front of the classroom, above the chalk/whiteboard, on 12″ brackets. Must weigh less than 30 lbs.
- Overhead Projector: An overhead projector, with wide angle lens, shall be placed in each room on the
front table or podium.
- Podium: A table and chair shall be provided for the instructor's use in the front of the room. Depending
on the audio-visual requirements, a faculty workstation may be required.
- HVAC: Consideration shall be given to the placement of HVAC vents so as to not cause movement of
the projection screen. Vents shall not blow directly on either the students or the instructor.
- Larger Rooms: Larger rooms shall require a larger projection screen. A sound system is appropriate
to include: wall speakers, wireless microphone, and induction loop system.
Media Specifications for Technology Enhanced (permanent ceiling-mounted data projector, computer and teacher station) Classrooms Should Include:
- Ceiling power for the data projector should be a flush single duplex located 6 in. or so to the left or
right of the center line to allow flexibility in projector placement. The power should also be within 3 ft.
of the data projector installation. The data projector should be hung 11 ft. to 14 ft. away from the center
of the projection screen. And the data projector should be mounted so the center of the data projector lens
is centered to the center of the projection screen.
- The data projector is mounted in the ceiling and includes: data projector, universal mounting bracket,
and ceiling plate with adjustable extension column. All necessary hardware for mounting and terminations
shall be included-including mounting plates, tubing, floor plates, and wall boxes. In addition, the Chief PL-1 Data Projector Security Enclosure is recommended to reduce the possibility of thefts.
- If the room does have a permanent teacher station, install one (1) 2-Gang Wall Junction Box,
located 18" AFF (above finished floor), on a wall position near the teacher station. A face plate
is required for the 2-gang box. The box should be located near the power and data outlets. From the
box, a 1" conduit (or Wiremold 2000) should run up the wall and stubbed at the ceiling. The conduit
can be run all the way to the data projector location, or stub it at the ceiling above the box. Plenum
cable can be pulled. The cable grouping shall include: 1-single pin VGA cable, 1-SVideo cable, 1-male
RCA cable for video, 2-male RCA cables (RCA audio), and 1-male stereo mini (computer audio).
- A VGA to UXGA Distribution Amplifier shall be included for the resident computer monitor.
- Depending on the size of the room and the acoustics, a separate audio speaker is recommended.
One separate 30W powered audio speaker is mounted near the data projector in the ceiling. The audio
is looped through the data projector to the powered speaker. Another option is for the installation
of a pair of audio speakers on both sides of the projection screen.
- All conduits, raceways, and cable paths are provided by the College.
- The data projectors should be Sharp brand True XGA Resolution (1024 x 768) VGA resolution display
capability and at least 1,500 ANSI lumens of brightness (depending on size of room, amount of outside
light, etc.). The College already supports 100+ Sharp brand data projector-so emphasis on standardizing
on replacement lamps and parts is critical.
- Classroom Lighting: All switching should be kept simple, with the user in mind. Light switches
should be clearly labeled as to function. Standardization among rooms is recommended. To accommodate
projection needs, room lights should be switched by zone, with the zones being parallel to the projection
screen. At least two zones are needed: one for the projection screen area at the front of the room and
the other for the seating area. To provide low light in the seating area so students can take notes
during projection, the lights in the zone by the projection screen should be turned off; and the lights
in the seating area can be controlled and reduced using a dimmer switch.
- The bottom of the white boards is 3 ft. AFF (above finished floor).
- Projection screens/brackets are mounted in the corner of classrooms.
- Teacher Stations are selected and purchased by Purchasing. An instructor's stool or chair
is also provided.
- CPUs and screens are selected and purchased by IT. The bottom of the projected image should be
at least 4 ft. above the floor to protect against excessive head interference (sight lines).
- Dual Decks (both VHS tape and DVD) playback capability are provided in the teacher stations.
- 2-ADA tables and 4-ADA chairs are provided.
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