Originally a byproduct of finding solutions to address new learning environments needed during the worldwide pandemic, Oakland University’s Classroom Support and Instructional Technical Services (CSITS) team has rolled out a new classroom technology program called GrizzFlex that will serve as the new standard for a growing number of OU’s classrooms.
GrizzFlex technology creates a hybrid classroom fully equipped with multiple ceiling-mounted microphones, two pan/tilt/zoom cameras (one focused on instructor and one focused on students) and recording equipment to provide an immersive atmosphere. The added technology allows for real-time interaction between instructors and students, both in person and viewing remotely. And, the video and audio is seamlessly fed into Zoom or Panopto applications for ease of use.
By having several microphones around the classroom, questions are better heard by those online. With several camera angles available, lecturers can teach from a podium or walk the room and still be captured by the video system. The program also allows for smoother asynchronous learning with its recording and playback capabilities.
With support from President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz and Provost Britt Rios-Ellis, and through the use of federal pandemic funding, this big and bold new program continues to expand across campus under the leadership of Doug McCartney, executive director of Classroom Support and Instructional Technical Services, and John Sweet, assistant director, Classroom Support Services Center.
“We quickly realized we needed to find new ways for faculty and students to navigate the ever-changing landscape of information delivery,” said Sweet. “Now, through the efforts of many people to establish the GrizzFlex approach, we feel that we can offer a very similar experience to students in classrooms, as well as to those students learning remotely.”
McCartney added that 22 classrooms, ranging in size from 25 to 200 seats, have been completed in the first phase of the GrizzFlex program. Another 76 more rooms are scheduled to be completed soon and several more rooms are in the planning phase.
Oakland was also honored by the national organization The Consortium of College and University Media Centers as the 2021 CCUMC video contest winner for the instructional video created by OU’s Video Services team to introduce GrizzFlex technology to instructors, students and the campus community.
Original source can be found here.
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