Update on classroom projection projects

The following is a progress report on enable computer projection
and network in various classrooms.  Progress has been made, more
slowly than expected.  Much of the slow down, of course, is related
to the cumbersome procurement procedure as we are endlessly waiting
on quotes from vendors we never buy from.  The other delay has been
lack of much coherent faculty or departmental input about applications
that might run in a classroom.  I believe most faculty are waiting
for the ultimate turn key system that does the lecture for them.

So here is where we stand.  Note that about 70% of the initial edtech
budget for this project for this year has been spent.  Additional funding
has come from the Deans allocation and from the physical plant.

I will summarize this report on a room-by-room basis.  Also note that
the technology is changing rapidly but I am pretty much on top of it.
I evaluate new vendor products every 2 months, next show is next week.
There is been much recent movement that has lowered prices.  We are
now looking at the following sort of pricing:

Low resolution active matrix panels that can accept video input
I can get for $3200.  Last years price was 4500.

High resolution (1024x768 and up) active matrix panels that can accept 
video input I can get in the range 7 to 9K.  Last years price, when
they were just introduced to the market, was 11.5K.

LCD projectors (still limited to 640x480) have come a long way. 
With metal halide bulb technology they can be used in almost full
room light with a pretty bright image.  Zoom lenses allow image
sizes of 25x25 feet to be achieved.  They handle video extremely
well and from home tests (involving the San Francicso 49er game)
the unit that was recently acquired (delivered last week) was almost
as clear and bright as a regular televesion set at a size of 10x10
feet.  My kids thought it was cool then I had to explain that daddy
was only testing it with video and other computers.   These units
cost $6700.

High resolution LCD projectors are just now being made.  I hope to
get a unit down for evaluation pretty soon.  Right now the price
range for these units is 15-20K which is likely prohibitive.  I think
these units represent the ideal solution as they can be located 
in projector booths where current slide projects sit.  A large
and bright image would result but one would have to do some classroom
work to turn the lecturn at the front of the room into the control
device for the LCD projector.  That is the computer would be up front
and a pretty long video cable would have to be run through conduit.
I believe, however, that this is the solution for all the large
lecture rooms on campus.  Won't know for sure though until I get one
of these units to evaluate.

So one with the classroom report

1.  Willamette 100:  There are at least three instructors who use
the projection technology full time.   Projection is done via overhead
projector and LCD panel.  Quality is pretty good although
the screen placement in that room is not optimal and the screen is
not of high quality.  A high quality, correctly placed screen would
is required for the highest level of performance.  STill, there have
been very few complaints from the students in terms of visibility
(maybe they're all asleep).

2.  Willamette 112:  This is not really an edtech project but instead
remains a vital resource thanks to George Hecht.  The projection
quality is high and the facility is used a lot.  There are 3 classes
there this term using the computer capability.  So far all the equipment
that was purchased in August of 1994 works.

3.  Lawrence 177:  Installation of the multimedia lecturn and equipment
was completed last week.  Projection quality with a high intensity overhead
and high resolution LCD panel is pretty good and image size is reasonable. 
In fact the image size is as large as it can get before spilling over to
the two blackboards which aren't terrible reflective.  Somebody guessed
right on the focal distance for the placement of the overhead
projector to achieve maximum possible image size.
maximum image size. One instructor uses this system full time.  
Ultimately, this room would benefit most from the installation of a
LCD projector located in the projection booth (i,e. not ceiling mounted!).
There is some interest in others to play video through the projector
and I believe IMC is installing a video deck over there soon.  Access
to power from the lecturn is immediate but access to network still
requires a 50 foot drop cable.

4.  Lawrence 115:  Installation of the multimedia lecturn and equipment
was completed last week.Projection quality with a high intensity overhead
and high resolution LCD panel is the best in any classroom done to date.
Image size is excellent, the entire vertical dimension of the screen
is filled, almost exactly (again someone guessed correctly).  
One instructor uses this system full time.  The system would be very
good for video as well although some amplified speakers would also be
required for the audio.  Power is about 10 feet away from the lecturn
and network also requires a 50 foot drop cable.

5.  Deady 106:  The installation of their mobile multimedia lecturn
was finally completed right before the start of the term.  They use
a low rez panel and overhead.  Projection quality is decent and about
as best as can be expected given the ambient conditions of the classroom.
Use of a wide angle lens on the overhead results in pretty good image size.
The system is used frequently by the math department who displays
Mathematica running on an EDtech purchased PowerMac 7100 with 32 Megs of
memory.  Power and network access to the lecturn is not optimal and
ultimately access should be through the floor.

6.  Chiles 128:  A low rez active matrix panel and P90 PC acquired
for use in that room.  I have no knowledge if the system is ever used,
however.  Image size is reasonable if the lecturn which houses the
projector is pushed all the way back to occupy the space where the
5 front row seats were removed.

7.  PLC 180/PLC elsewhere.  The LCD projector just acquired is intended
to be used in combination with a portable laptop to serve as a mobile
projection unit for CAS.  This projector might do very well in PLC 180;
we hope to test it out next week.  In anycase, I believe this projector
is the preferred mobile unit on campus as its very high quality.

8. Condon 260:  This room was on the original list but we received no
feedback from anyone that was interested in using it.  Now John Nicols
and Mel Aikens are looking for a 40 seat movable chair room that has
network and projection capability. There is still money left in the budget
so we hope to have this classroom done before spring term.

9. Straub 146:  Again while this room was on the original list there has
been very little feedback.  A platform has been built for a multimedia
lecturn but nothing has yet been ordered for that room.  No one has told
us to take the platform out, however.

10.  Columbia 150:  Who designed that room anyway?  The opening angle
is hideous.  Basically, you need 3 projection screens to give every
one in the audience a good view.  I think the classroom could really
be converted into a showcase but it takes dollars to say the least.


11.  Music 198:  Network is there; Overhead projector is here and
multimedia lecturn is on order.  I have one quote for the low rez panel
and am awaiting other quotes before ordering.  As usual the process
takes a while but hopefully by mid-winter term something will be
there.

Also, we do have components here and there to build a temporary
loaner system.

So that's where we stand.  While the pace has been somewhat slow and
the use of the equipment somewhat low, the good news is that we haven't
any mistakes yet and we have pretty good quality projection with pretty
minimal setup involved.

Finally, it would be nice if, under the guise of facilities modernization
if all of the large lecture rooms could be outfitted with LCD projectors
controlled from the front lecturn.  I am sure this is wishful thinking
but

1) I am sure we know how to do this

2) by summer 96, the technology will be there.