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Northern Illinois University

Media Services

Smart Classrooms

The Smart Classroom Initiative is a program sponsored by the Office of the Provost to provide classrooms with advanced technology for the enhancement of students’ education. Media Services and Information Technology Services (ITS) are charged with supporting these rooms.

For general inquiries regarding Smart Classroom technology and its use contact the Smart Classroom Trainers/Technicians.

Smart Classroom Technology
Each Provost-sponsored Smart Classroom is equipped with a networked computer, document camera, VCR with a closed caption decoder, and multimedia projector. Most rooms also have a sound system and a direct phone line to technical support.

The computer in each room is connected to the Internet via NIU’s system. Login and password protection are included on each computer. Standard office software is pre-loaded for instructor’s use. Special software can be loaded if the instructor makes a request to ITS. All computers have a DVD/CD player installed as well as other source drives which may include floppy and Zip, and USB ports for jump drives.
The documents camera (also known as a visual presenter or generically as an Elmo) is the electronic equivalent of an overhead projector with enhanced capabilities. It can project documents, transparencies, and slides as well as 3D objects.
A VCR is provided for playing VHS tapes. All rooms are equipped with a separate closed caption decoding device.
The multimedia projector in each room provides large screen display of the selected source.

Every effort to standardize the operation of the classrooms has been made. However, equipment and technology changes have necessitated slight differences between rooms.

Smart Classroom Guides
Media Services has created equipment operation guides for each Provost-sponsored Smart Classroom. The illustrated guides describing the operation of each room’s equipment are now available in the rooms as well as online.