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Annenberg Hall Classroom Tech Guides

Reference this page for step-by-step guides on using Annenberg Hall classroom technologies. Select a button below to reveal the complete guide for that room.

  • Turn on lights—small, narrow buttons on west well just past entrance. Lights will sprinkle on (you’ll hear twinkling sounds!)
  • Locate touchpad on lectern nearest west well.
    • Touchpad is tethered to lectern.
    • Instantly access the room A/V systems via room account, called “Annenberg G02.”
  • Allow screen-sharing for multiple users.
    • Join Zoom from own device to share presentations and other resources. Be sure to bring laptop charger (outlet on top of lectern).
    • Zoom room can invite any person with a Northwestern Zoom account instantly.
    • Share Zoom link via manually typed email for any non-Northwestern guests.
  • Only one camera on east side of G02 captures west wall primarily, north wall some, and not really any of south wall.
    • Operator can move and zoom camera lens manually for more targeted visuals.
    • Capability for auto-Zoom, but look seems robotic and can make people dizzy if a lot of movement in the room.
    • Zoom Room capability allows people to remote in without being seen on screen—potential for virtual event guests.
    • Recording capability – with recording sent to any Northwestern Zoom account e.g. mshe-apply for program events.

Download and print Annenberg Hall Room G02 guide here.

Annenberg 303 Tech Notes 

  • If desired, bring remote slide changer or ask Chris Neary to bring one to class. Laser pointer does not work on wall screens. Bring spare batteries. Turn off slide changer when done with class.

Using the room system: Tap tabletop touchscreen until you get to the dashboard of buttons!

One Source

  • Laptop Wireless (ignore)
  • Laptop Wired
  • Room Computer
  • Document Camera (ignore)

All one-source options appear on the right half of the wall by default.

Content cannot display in the middle four screens.

Two Sources

  • Laptop icon, Apple icon = If laptop is connected, it appears on the left half of the wall. The room computer (Apple symbol) appears on the right half of the wall.
  • Apple icon, Laptop icon = The room computer (Apple icon) appears on the left half of the wall. If laptop is connected, it appears on the right half of the wall.
  • Ignore other buttons that feature document camera (looks like movie projector)

Laptop Wired (laptop icon)

  • HDMI cord connects your laptop’s video and audio to wall screen and room system. If you have a Mac or newer PC, the USB-C adapter (white dongle) is available, where you plug in the HDMI cord to the dongle, then the dongle to your laptop’s thin USB-C port. A VGA cable also is there for older PC’s.
  • Select “Crestron” from your laptop audio settingsto ensure audio plays in room system. You can adjust volume on touchscreen, under Presentation Volume, as well as on your laptop volume settings.
  • Be sure to bring laptop charger, and plug it into the black outlet, recessed on tabletop.

Room Computer (Apple icon)

  • Tap the “Room Computer” button on the touchscreen dashboard.
  • The room computer desktop appears on the wall screen. Locate the white Mac keyboard and white mouse on the tabletop or in the pull drawer below. You may look to the wall screen to navigate content or tap the small four-arrow icon on the thumbnail image that appears on the touchscreen dashboard. Note: You cannot navigate room computer websites and content through the touchscreen—this is why you have the mouse and keyboard!
Accommodating a remote guest on Zoom
  1. Create a Zoom meeting from your Northwestern Zoom account. Share Zoom connection information with the guest as you plan their visit. Chris Neary can assist with this information and communication.
  2. When preparing in class, be sure that you have accessed the Room Computer and can view the room computer desktop.
  3. Select the Zoom icon along the bottom of the screen to sign into your Northwestern Zoom account. As of June 2022, Zoom sign-in also requires DUO multi-factor authentication—make sure you have that device handy to authenticate that sign-in. Learn how to set up DUO notification https://kb.northwestern.edu/62610.
  4. Once logged into Zoom, start the Zoom meeting you set up for your remote guest.
  5. Ensure your video is turned on the mic is unmuted. Video and audio will then automatically activate in the room.
  6. Ensure “Front Camera” is selected on your dashboard. If needed, tap your dashboard touchscreen to view your dashboard again. Adjust camera view and zoom from dashboard so the entire class is in view for your remote guest speaker. “Front Camera” view is ideal for remote guests as they see faces looking at the big screens (students looking at the remote guest).
  7. To test room audio, invite a trusted individual to access the Zoom meeting from their device. Ask that they join outside of the room to ensure they can see and hear what occurs in the room. (Chris Neary does this when he is there for setup.)
  8. Admit guest from Waiting Room when ready.
  9. If guest cannot see or hear the room, ask that they adjust their video or audio settings. Assuming the earlier room test went well, it is likely an issue on their end they must resolve. If audio and/or video adjustments do not work, ask that they call in using a phone number provided in the Zoom meeting setup, including entering the Meeting ID. You’ll admit the phone number from the Zoom meeting room so they can engage with the class through their phone.
Recording your in-room lecture on Zoom
  1. Create a Zoom meeting from your Northwestern Zoom account. Share Zoom connection information with the guest as you plan their visit. Chris Neary can assist with this information.
  2. When preparing in class, be sure that you have accessed the Room Computer and can view the room computer desktop.
  3. Select the Zoom icon along the bottom of the screen to sign into your Northwestern Zoom account. As of June 2022, Zoom sign-in also requires DUO multi-factor authentication—make sure you have that device handy to authenticate that sign-in. Learn how to set up DUO notification at https://kb.northwestern.edu/62610.
  4. Once logged into Zoom, start the Zoom meeting you set up for your remote guest.
  5. Ensure your video is turned on the mic is unmuted. Video and audio are already set up in the room.
  6. Ensure “Rear Camera” is selected on your dashboard. If needed, tap your dashboard touchscreen to view your dashboard again. Adjust camera view and zoom from dashboard so the entire class is in view for your remote viewer. “Rear Camera” view is ideal for recording an in-person lecture so that an absent student can have as close to an in-person experience as possible.
  7. To test room audio, invite a trusted individual to access the Zoom meeting. Ask that they join outside of the room to ensure they can see and hear what occurs in the room.
  8. End recording and end Zoom meeting before you leave class.

Common Technical Issues

  • If a room camera does not turn on or you are unable to hear room audio, shut down the room system from the touchscreen (red “Shutdown” button at bottom left of the screen). A full room reset often repairs the temporary problem.
  • If a computer doesn’t display on the screen, ensure the HDMI cord (and adapter, if needed) is fully and properly plugged in. Tap another source button and return to the desired source to reset the source connection.
  • Plug in your laptop! 3 hours is too long for a laptop to remain unplugged.
  • In the rare occurrence that WiFi goes out, be prepared to share content offline. Download the PowerPoint or other visuals to your laptop’s desktop. Consider use of the whiteboards and markers. Bring sheets of paper if you require reporting out of discussions. If you plan to have a remote guest speaker, they should be prepared to call you and they present/converse in speaker mode. Bring phone charger. Be nimble and prepared!

Download and print Annenberg Hall Room 303 guide here.

  • If desired, bring remote slide changer. Laser pointer works on wall screen.
  • Ability to display hard-wired connected laptop – do in specified order.
    1. Be sure to bring laptop charger (outlet on table).
    2. Select “Laptop Wired” (laptop icon) as display source.
    3. Connect via USB-C (new Macs) and HDMI cable connectors.
  • Alternatively, can display room computer, called “Lectern Mac."
    • Room Camera options through Lectern Mac
    • Front Camera: West Camera display teacher view of room, adjustable and zoomable
    • Rear Camera: East Camera display student view of room, facing front, adjustable and zoomable
    • Can adjust volume only on lectern touch screen – along right edge of touchscreen
    • Allow a couple of minutes for sound system to turn on
  • To play laptop sound in room
    • Select “Crestron 420” from computer audio settings
    • Can adjust volume only on lectern touch screen – along right edge of touchscreen
    • Allow a couple of minutes for sound system to turn on
  • Potential for virtual attendees via Zoom
    • Log into mshe-apply account through https://zoom.us.
    • Create Zoom meeting and send Zoom meeting info to virtual guest.
    • Start Zoom meeting from Room Computer.
    • Admit virtual guest.
    • It may be best to mute the computer’s Zoom while the virtual guest is speaking. Mics are sensitive; may pick up ruffling of papers, people eating chips, etc.

Download and print Annenberg Hall, Room 345 guide here.

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