Osgoode Hall Law School - York University

ACADEMIC INITIATIVES
Classroom Technology
The planned relocation of the OPD facility in 2007-2008 did not occur. The existing
classroom equipment was supplemented by a new Sony G50 video-conference
codec. The technology plans prepared for the relocation are being adapted for a
retrofit of the existing facility due to occur in the summer of 2008.
The project entails the integration of state-of the art technology into five classrooms
and builds on previous work to implement a robust behind-the scenes infrastructure
capable of handling multiple concurrent conferences and multiple sites. The primary
goal of the integration effort this year is to improve the learning experience for both
in-class and remote students who participate via videoconferencing or webcasting.
This includes providing remote participants with a clear view, excellent audio and an
equal presence in the classroom.
The technology implemented will provide the following:
• A new hands-off approach to VC-based learning. Two PTZ cameras
will provide a direct line of sight to all students. Every two students will share a
tabletop microphone that is either activated by the loudest speaker, or upon
touching its base. An automated PTZ control system will automatically switch to
the appropriate PTZ camera for the activated microphone, and align it to a preset
point of view for that microphone. PTZ positions will be easily adjusted through a
remote control system.
• Significantly more screen real estate will be allocated for each distance learner in
continuous presence mode. This will “bring” the distance students into the
classroom.
• Flexibility to support next generation multi-format teaching, learning and
collaboration spaces.
• Improved audio reinforcement – wireless audio pods located throughout the
rooms will allow speakers to be seated anywhere.
• In the large conference room two 4000 ANSI lumens projectors will project on
large wall-mounted screens, and angle-mounted speakers will be installed in the
room.
• A central IT control area will be created for the monitoring and remote assistance
of all rooms.
Growth in Graduate Studies
A project has been requested to build a dedicated student portal for part-time LLM
students to provide one-stop access to course websites, relevant announcements
and recorded lectures. The use of Mediasite for delivery of specific LLM components
and the use of a learning management system are being explored as possible
additions to the technology used in the program.
The number of LLM students taking advantage of the “learn from anywhere” student
is expected to rise this year and reach the 40 concurrent port maximum on the
MCUs. Given the current course delivery schedule and assuming one student per
videoconference endpoint, the maximum number of students enrolled as distance
students has increased to 144, double the capacity of 2007-2008 and vastly greater
than what was possible two years ago.
FINAL 02/25/2008 11