AVNation TV

Tag: Higher Education

  • Old Dominion University Transforms Campus Learning Spaces with Sony BRAVIA Professional Displays

    Old Dominion University Transforms Campus Learning Spaces with Sony BRAVIA Professional Displays

    Old Dominion University (ODU) is investing in Sony BRAVIA professional displays to enhance learning environments and deliver exceptional experiences campus-wide.

    The Challenge

    • Higher education faces mounting pressure from declining enrollment, rising costs, and growing scrutiny over the value of a degree
    • ODU needed to replace aging, failing display technology within tight budget constraints, requiring a reliable and intuitive solution that faculty could use independently without ongoing technical support

    The Solution

    • ODU deployed over 100 Sony Pro BRAVIA displays and laser projectors for classroom presentations and digital signage across academic buildings, conference rooms, and common areas, all centrally managed campus-wide
    • Sony’s versatility, reliability, and low-maintenance hardware made them the trusted choice for ODU’s wide range of campus needs

    The Outcome

    • Sony BRAVIA professional displays and laser projectors have transformed day-to-day operations at ODU, allowing faculty to walk in and teach without any technical friction
    • Centralized management allows ODU to push campus-wide updates or targeted messaging simultaneously, saving significant time and resources

    “Reliability is the key. That I don’t have to touch something for years and it still works? That’s a win-win for me.”
    Dwayne Smith
    Executive Director of Digital Integration Environments, Old Dominion University

    Ease of Use
    Sony Pro BRAVIA displays empower faculty to walk in and begin teaching instantly, eliminating the need for technical support

    Centralized Management
    All 100+ BRAVIA professional displays are networked and managed campus-wide, allowing simultaneous updates and targeted messaging from a single system

    Cost Efficiency
    Sony’s durable, low-maintenance hardware helps ODU reduce long-term operational costs while staying within tight budget constraints

    Campus Communication
    Centralized digital signage enables ODU to deliver real-time messaging and targeted communications across the entire campus

  • Cisco Adds Native Zoom Rooms Support to Its Endpoints | AVNation

    Cisco Adds Native Zoom Rooms Support to Its Endpoints | AVNation

    Cisco is done betting that customers will choose WebEx just because they already own Cisco hardware. In September, the company will launch Devices for Zoom Rooms, according to Cisco. The program puts a certified, native Zoom Rooms experience on select Cisco endpoints, including the Desk Pro G2, Room Bar, Bar Pro, Board Pro G3 and RoomKit.

    That is a meaningful shift from where Cisco stood before. Customers who wanted a Cisco room with Zoom software have had to rely on standard SIP interoperability, a workaround that required extra integration work on the back end. The new program replaces that patchwork with a fully certified experience built into the hardware itself.

    Cisco is not stopping at Zoom. The company is also deepening its Microsoft Teams Rooms integration, adding dedicated device management channels inside Control Hub and folding Copilot into its agentic tools, according to Cisco. Taken together, the moves signal a clear message: the meeting platform a customer picks, whether Teams, Zoom or WebEx, should not determine whether that customer gets a modernized Cisco room.

    What it means for entrenched Cisco shops

    Pearl Technology Executive Vice President Jeremy Caldera has spent years installing and supporting Cisco rooms for integration clients, and he called the announcement a genuine surprise. Cisco has long been known as a proprietary-first vendor, he said, and this represents a real shift in that posture.

    “Cisco’s been the king of proprietary for how long?” Caldera said. “There’s still those clients who are wholly ingrained in the world of Cisco, but they’re still needing Teams rooms and Zoom rooms.”

    Caldera does not expect the announcement to pull new customers into the Cisco ecosystem. Buyers who have already standardized on other hardware platforms are unlikely to switch because of this update alone, he said. However, he sees a clear winner in the deal: organizations already committed to Cisco hardware who previously had to maintain separate SIP-based workarounds to support Zoom or Teams rooms. Those customers no longer need that extra layer, and some had been quietly evaluating other manufacturers because of the added cost and complexity. This update removes that pressure point entirely.

    The practical effect, Caldera said, is retention rather than expansion. Cisco protects the customers it already has instead of winning converts from Crestron, HP or other platforms. For AV integrators managing mixed environments, that still matters. Fewer custom SIP integrations mean less maintenance overhead and fewer points of failure in rooms that are already in production.

    Listen to AVWeek 776

    Why this lands differently in higher education

    The higher education vertical offers a useful test case, because AV and IT are unusually intertwined there. Britt Yenser, AV Manager at Northampton Community College and an active member of the Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance (HETMA), said the Cisco-Zoom news speaks directly to a dynamic her sector already lives with daily.

    “We say across the industry that AV is IT, but that is extremely true in higher ed,” Yenser said. “We are housed within the IT department. The more that we can communicate clearly with the other IT partners and meet them where they are, the more successful we can be.”

    Cisco carries particular weight in higher education IT departments, where campus networking decisions are often made independently of the AV team and Cisco is frequently the default standard. Zoom and Google Meet, meanwhile, are common conferencing choices in that same environment. Before this announcement, an AV team wanting to standardize on Cisco hardware for a Zoom-based campus faced the same integration burden Caldera described. Now, that team can stay inside a hardware platform its IT department already trusts and supports, without a secondary integration layer.

    That alignment matters beyond convenience. When AV and IT can standardize on shared hardware, the two departments have one less point of friction in a relationship that already requires constant coordination. A tech manager fighting for network resources or endpoint budget has an easier case to make when the AV hardware sitting on that network is the same brand IT already manages everywhere else.

    The bigger picture for buyers

    For corporate IT and AV decision-makers weighing a Cisco purchase, the calculus has changed only for a specific group: organizations already leaning toward Cisco hardware who need platform flexibility on the software side. For that buyer, procurement got simpler. Fewer vendors, fewer support contracts and fewer integration points reduce total cost of ownership over the life of the equipment.

    For buyers who have not yet standardized on any single hardware platform, this announcement alone probably will not tip the decision. Platform interoperability is one of several factors in a room standardization decision, alongside cost, existing infrastructure and IT department preference. But it does remove one argument against Cisco that competitors could previously use: the idea that choosing Cisco meant locking into WebEx.

    Cisco’s September launch will be worth watching closely, particularly for how the certified Zoom experience compares to native Zoom hardware from Zoom’s own certified partners. AVNation will continue to track how the rollout performs once it reaches customers.

  • Colombian university’s RAUDA initiative sets blueprint for centralised AV across multi-campus environments

    Colombian university’s RAUDA initiative sets blueprint for centralised AV across multi-campus environments

    Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina’s RAUDA initiative is transforming AV management across multiple campuses, using centralised AVoIP and cloud-based control to deliver more consistent, scalable learning environments and illustrating powerful global trends in education and proAV.

    Universities are under increasing pressure to deliver consistent, technology-enabled learning experiences across multiple campuses, often while managing growing AV estates with limited IT resources. And the technology isn’t just a nice-to-have. Recent data indicates that 25% of faculty in North America and Europe have considered leaving an institution over poor technology; for students, that number rises to 33%.

    For Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina in Colombia, a historic institution founded in 1893, addressing these challenges became a priority. It responded by launching RAUDA, an ambitious initiative designed to centralise and standardise audiovisual infrastructure across its campus network. Thanks to the groundbreaking approach, the institution is becoming a pace-setter for higher education institutions seeking to modernize and future-proof the student experience.

    Setting the scope of the project

    With locations in Bogotá, Pereira and Valledupar, the university had developed a diverse AV landscape over time, designed to support both in-person and hybrid learning for undergraduate and graduate students across a wide array of disciplines.

    The institution relied on a mix of technologies, including classroom touchscreens and commercial displays in halls and reception areas, with systems managed independently. This fragmented approach made it difficult to maintain consistency across learning environments and shared spaces, along with limited visibility into system performance and slowed response times when issues arose.

    RAUDA in action

    To address this, the university launched RAUDA, an AV network initiative designed to centralise and standardise AV infrastructure across its campuses while creating a more efficient foundation for future growth. The goal was not only to improve day-to-day operations, but also to enable more consistent experiences for both faculty and students.

    Working with system integrator Merge, Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina implemented the first phase of the RAUDA project by deploying a centralised AV over IP (AVoIP) architecture across its sites. Classrooms, auditoriums, meeting spaces and digital signage endpoints were connected into a unified network, allowing content to be distributed and managed more flexibly across locations.

    A key focus of the project was the ability to monitor and control systems in real time from a single platform. By introducing centralised management tools alongside its AVoIP infrastructure, the university gained improved visibility into performance across its AV estate, enabling faster diagnostics and reducing the need for on-site interventions.

    An immediate difference

    The impact has been felt both operationally and from a user experience perspective. Centralised control has helped streamline support workflows and reduce incident response times, while delivering more consistent and reliable AV performance across campuses. According to the university, this has translated into improved availability of learning spaces and a smoother experience for both staff and students.

    The new infrastructure has also unlocked additional capabilities, particularly in the area of digital signage. The university can now manage and update content in real time across high-traffic areas, supporting more agile and targeted communication with students and visitors.

    César Andrés Rodríguez Ángel, National Director of Technological Innovation at Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina, commented: “Kramer gave us the ability to centralise and simplify AV management across campuses while delivering a more reliable and consistent experience for users.”

    Technical details and installation perspective

    From the integration perspective, the project also highlights the growing importance of scalable, centrally managed AV systems in the education sector.

    As universities continue to expand their digital capabilities, solutions that combine AVoIP distribution with cloud-based monitoring and control are becoming increasingly critical to maintaining performance and efficiency across complex environments, with an emphasis on reliability and security.

    The completed project leveraged a range of solutions, including:

    • Kramer KDS-EN7 encoders and KDS-DEC7 decoders for content distribution.
    • VIA GO 3 devices for wireless presentation and collaboration.
    • KC Virtual Brain 5 and Panta Rhei for system management, monitoring, and control.
    • VSM on Cloud for centralized, cloud-based management.
    • Dedicated network infrastructure built around Netgear M4250 switches.
    • TP-583TXR units for transmission support.

    Conclusion

    With the first phase of RAUDA now complete, Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina has established a foundation for further expansion and demonstrates how well-planned, centralised AV strategies can support long-term digital transformation in higher education.

    Higher education continues its global adoption of advanced audiovisual technologies for teaching, learning, collaboration, and even research, and Kramer AV is proud to be at the forefront of the innovations powering the next generation of learners worldwide.

  • Why Classroom Technology Still Goes Unused

    Why Classroom Technology Still Goes Unused

    Schools across the country have spent the last several years investing heavily in classroom technology. From interactive displays and lecture capture systems to hybrid learning platforms and collaboration tools, education institutions have embraced digital transformation faster than ever before.

    But there’s one problem the education AV industry still struggles to address: much of that technology goes underused.

    In classrooms filled with advanced AV systems, teachers often fall back on basic tools they already trust. Features designed to improve collaboration and engagement remain untouched. Expensive equipment becomes little more than digital furniture mounted on the wall.

    The issue is not that schools lack technology. The real challenge is making that technology usable, accessible, and practical in everyday learning environments.

    For IT directors, facilities managers, and school administrators, understanding why classroom technology still goes unused is becoming just as important as deciding what to buy next.

    Schools Bought the Technology Faster Than They Could Adapt to It

    The push toward hybrid and remote learning accelerated classroom AV adoption at an unprecedented pace. Schools had to move quickly. Video conferencing systems, wireless presentation tools, digital whiteboards, and classroom cameras became immediate priorities almost overnight.

    Funding opportunities also played a major role. Federal and state education funding helped districts modernize classrooms at scale. In many cases, schools upgraded dozens or even hundreds of spaces in a short period of time.

    But deployment speed created a different challenge.

    Technology installations often moved faster than teacher training, workflow planning, and long-term support strategies. Many educators returned to classrooms filled with unfamiliar systems and limited guidance on how those tools fit naturally into their teaching styles.

    As a result, schools successfully installed technology without fully integrating it into the learning experience.

    That gap between installation and adoption continues to shape how classroom AV is used today.

    Complexity Remains the Biggest Barrier to Adoption

    In education environments, simplicity matters more than feature depth.

    Teachers already manage packed lesson plans, classroom behavior, student engagement, grading responsibilities, and administrative requirements. The last thing they want is to troubleshoot a complicated AV system five minutes before class begins.

    Unfortunately, many classroom technology systems still introduce friction instead of removing it.

    A teacher walks into one room and the display interface works one way. In another classroom, the controls are completely different. Audio settings vary. Device connections change. Some rooms require multiple logins or additional adapters before a lesson can even start.

    It only takes a few frustrating experiences before educators stop relying on the technology altogether.

    This is why ease of use has become one of the most important decision drivers in education AV purchasing. Schools are increasingly prioritizing solutions that are intuitive, consistent, and easy to learn.

    The most successful classroom technologies are often the ones teachers barely have to think about.

    Limited IT Resources Are Stretching School Support Teams Thin

    Technology expectations in education continue to grow, but IT staffing levels often do not.

    K-12 districts and higher education institutions are being asked to support expanding ecosystems that include classroom AV, cybersecurity infrastructure, student devices, learning management systems, remote learning tools, and network management simultaneously.

    For many schools, especially smaller districts, support teams are operating with limited personnel and constrained budgets.

    That creates a serious adoption challenge.

    When teachers encounter technology issues and support is not immediately available, confidence drops quickly. Educators naturally return to familiar methods that feel reliable and low risk.

    From an operational perspective, classroom technology adoption is directly tied to support accessibility.

    If teachers believe using a system could disrupt instruction or waste valuable class time, they are less likely to use advanced AV features consistently.

    This is one reason standardized classroom designs have become increasingly popular in education environments. Consistency reduces troubleshooting complexity for both educators and IT teams.

    Training Often Stops After Installation

    One of the most common mistakes schools make is treating training as a single event instead of an ongoing process.

    Many AV deployments include installation support and initial onboarding sessions, but long-term user enablement frequently gets overlooked.

    The reality is that teachers adopt technology at different speeds. Some educators immediately embrace new tools, while others need time, repetition, and real-world examples before they feel comfortable integrating technology into daily instruction.

    Without continued support, even well-designed systems can become underutilized.

    Schools seeing stronger classroom technology adoption typically approach training differently. Instead of relying solely on large vendor-led sessions, they create continuous learning opportunities through:

    • Peer-to-peer mentoring
    • Short refresher workshops
    • Classroom-specific training scenarios
    • On-demand tutorials
    • Standardized user experiences across rooms

    The goal is not simply teaching educators how technology works. The goal is helping them understand how technology improves teaching outcomes without adding complexity.

    That distinction matters.

    Compatibility Still Drives Education AV Decisions

    Most schools are not building classrooms from scratch.

    Education institutions already operate complex ecosystems involving conferencing platforms, learning management systems, authentication protocols, network policies, and existing hardware investments.

    New classroom technology must fit within those environments seamlessly.

    If teachers need extra adapters, multiple applications, or complicated setup steps just to share content, adoption immediately suffers.

    This is why interoperability has become such a major purchasing factor for IT directors and administrators.

    Schools increasingly look for AV solutions that integrate naturally with platforms educators already use every day, including systems like Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom.

    Technology that works within existing workflows reduces resistance and improves long-term usage rates.

    In many ways, the future of classroom AV is less about adding more tools and more about making systems work together more effectively.

    Budget Pressure Is Changing How Schools Measure Value

    Education funding always comes with accountability.

    School administrators and facilities managers are under increasing pressure to justify technology investments and demonstrate measurable value from classroom upgrades.

    When expensive AV systems go unused, it becomes more than a technology issue. It becomes a budgeting concern.

    Unused systems can impact future purchasing decisions, delay modernization projects, and reduce confidence in larger digital transformation initiatives.

    As a result, schools are shifting how they evaluate classroom technology.

    Instead of focusing exclusively on advanced capabilities, decision-makers are asking different questions:

    • Is the technology easy for teachers to use?
    • Can our IT team support it efficiently?
    • Will this system work with our existing infrastructure?
    • Does the vendor provide strong warranties and long-term support?
    • Can this solution scale consistently across multiple classrooms?

    The conversation is moving away from “What features does this have?” and toward “Will people actually use it?”

    That shift is influencing the entire education AV market.

    Hybrid Learning Permanently Changed Classroom Expectations

    Even as many schools returned to fully in-person instruction, expectations around digital learning never disappeared.

    Students now expect flexible participation options, seamless content sharing, recorded lectures, and collaborative digital experiences as part of everyday learning.

    Faculty expectations changed as well.

    Technology is no longer viewed as an enhancement layered onto the classroom experience. It is now part of the foundation of modern instruction.

    This evolution has also elevated accessibility conversations in education AV.

    Clear audio, captioning support, remote participation capabilities, and inclusive collaboration tools are becoming baseline requirements rather than optional features.

    Schools are recognizing that intuitive technology improves accessibility for everyone, not just for students requiring accommodations.

    The institutions seeing the strongest long-term results are typically the ones aligning technology decisions with actual educational outcomes instead of simply pursuing the newest hardware trends.

    The Schools Seeing Success Focus on User Experience First

    The most effective classroom technology deployments share a common philosophy: prioritize the user experience.

    Successful schools focus less on creating highly complex environments and more on building systems educators can trust every day.

    That often includes:

    • Standardized classroom technology layouts
    • Simple control interfaces
    • Reliable wireless connectivity
    • Fast startup experiences
    • Clear support processes
    • Strong vendor partnerships
    • Ongoing educator feedback loops

    When technology becomes predictable and dependable, adoption naturally increases.

    This is especially important in education environments where instructors have varying levels of technical comfort.

    The schools achieving the strongest return on investment are not necessarily the ones with the most advanced equipment. They are the ones creating technology ecosystems that reduce friction for teachers and students alike.

    The Future of Classroom Technology Is Simplicity, Integration, and Trust

    Classroom technology is not failing because schools made the wrong investments.

    It goes unused when systems become too complicated, inconsistent, difficult to support, or disconnected from real teaching workflows.

    For education leaders, the next phase of classroom AV is becoming clearer. Schools want technology that:

    • Works consistently
    • Integrates easily
    • Requires minimal troubleshooting
    • Supports hybrid learning needs
    • Improves accessibility
    • Fits existing IT ecosystems
    • Helps educators focus on teaching instead of technology

    The education AV industry is also evolving alongside those expectations.

    Manufacturers, integrators, and technology providers that focus on usability, interoperability, and long-term support will likely become the strongest partners for schools moving forward.

    Because in the end, the best classroom technology is not the system with the longest feature list.

    It is the technology teachers feel confident using every single day.

    For more conversations around education AV, hybrid learning, and classroom technology adoption, listen to EDTech on AVNation.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why do schools struggle to adopt classroom technology?

    Schools often face challenges related to training, usability, limited IT support, and compatibility with existing systems. Even well-funded technology deployments can fail if educators find systems too complicated or unreliable.

    What is the biggest reason classroom technology goes unused?

    Complexity is one of the biggest barriers. If technology disrupts teaching workflows or requires too much troubleshooting, educators often avoid using it regularly.

    How does limited IT staffing impact classroom AV adoption?

    Smaller IT teams may struggle to provide immediate support for classroom issues. Without reliable support, teachers lose confidence in the technology and revert to familiar methods.

    Why is ease of use so important in education AV?

    Teachers need technology that works quickly and consistently. Simple systems reduce classroom disruptions and encourage long-term adoption.

    How has hybrid learning changed classroom technology expectations?

    Hybrid learning increased demand for flexible collaboration, remote participation, lecture capture, and digital engagement tools. These expectations now continue even in traditional in-person classrooms.

    What should schools prioritize when buying classroom technology?

    Schools should focus on usability, compatibility, scalability, vendor support, warranties, and integration with existing educational platforms rather than only advanced features.

    The Next Challenge for Education Technology

    The conversation around education technology is shifting.

    Schools no longer measure success by how much technology they install. They measure success by how effectively those tools improve teaching and learning experiences.

    For classroom AV to succeed long term, systems must become easier to use, easier to support, and easier to integrate into everyday instruction.

    That means designing technology around educators, not just around equipment.

    Because when classroom technology feels intuitive, reliable, and invisible in the learning process, adoption stops being a challenge, and starts becoming part of the classroom experience itself.

  • AVer Joins HETMA as Gold Partner to Drive Collaboration and Communication in Higher Education Technology

    AVer Joins HETMA as Gold Partner to Drive Collaboration and Communication in Higher Education Technology

    AVer Information Inc. USA has become a Gold Partner of HETMA (Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance), reinforcing its commitment to improving AV and collaboration tools across college campuses. This partnership highlights AVer’s dedication to supporting hybrid and engaging learning environments through advanced video solutions. As part of this collaboration, AVer backs HETMA’s peer-reviewed “Approved Program,” helping institutions confidently adopt reliable, future-ready AV technologies.

    AVer’s award-winning AI-powered cameras, like the TR315 with 4K tracking and hybrid capabilities, are already making waves in the higher ed AV space. The partnership with HETMA puts a spotlight on tools that boost classroom engagement and simplify integration with popular platforms, helping IT leaders create smarter and more flexible learning setups.

    AVer Information Inc. USA, an award-winning provider of video collaboration and education technology solutions, announces its role as a Gold Partner of HETMA (Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance). AVer’s partnership reflects the company’s dedication to empowering higher education through advanced audiovisual technology and aligns seamlessly with HETMA’s mission to enhance AV technology across college campuses nationwide.

    HETMA is a leading organization dedicated to raising awareness of technology issues specific to higher education. Through collaboration with manufacturers like AVer, as well as administrators and technology managers, HETMA champions initiatives that drive meaningful AV solutions tailored to the academic community.

    As a Gold Partner, AVer will be recognized by HETMA as a catalyst for technology innovation and adoption in the higher education sector. A key initiative supported by this partnership is the HETMA Approved Program, a rigorous, independent, peer-reviewed product evaluation that streamlines technology adoption for institutions. AVer’s support of this program ensures colleges and universities can confidently implement cutting-edge solutions that meet the demands of modern learning environments.

    “AVer is honored to partner with HETMA as a Gold Partner,” said Mike Garcen, Director of Product at AVer Information Inc. USA. “This partnership amplifies our shared goal of bringing transformative audiovisual technologies into higher education and empowering institutions with tools that create engaging, hybrid-ready learning spaces.”

    “AVer’s commitment to innovation and user-centered design makes them a natural fit for the HETMA community”, said Troy Powers, HETMA Vice-Chair. “As a Gold Partner, they’re not just supporting our mission; they’re actively helping shape the future of higher ed AV. We’re excited to work with AVer to bring powerful, accessible solutions into classrooms nationwide.”

    AVer’s portfolio of video collaboration solutions is designed with higher education in mind. From immersive lecture capture to interactive hybrid classrooms, AVer’s AI-powered cameras deliver unmatched performance with features such as crystal-clear 4K resolution, powerful 30X optical zoom, and seamless integration with leading Learning Management Systems (LMS) and video platforms.

    Notably, AVer’s TR315 AI Auto Tracking Camera recently earned the Best Camera Technology (PTZ) award at HETMA’s Higher Ed AV Awards during InfoComm 2025. The TR315 features advanced capabilities including NDI technology, 12X optical zoom, 8MP sensor and 4K 60 fps resolution. The TR315’s proprietary AI-driven features include Presenter Mode for smooth tracking of speakers, Zone Mode for prioritizing presentation content over movement, and Hybrid Mode for seamless transitions between pre-defined zones. These modes deliver precision and versatility, enhancing audience engagement and simplifying content creation. With simultaneous USB and IP output and hybrid auto-tracking, the TR315 provides flexibility and performance.

  • BenQ Education Awarded Six Tech & Learning 2024 Awards of Excellence: Best of 2024

    BenQ Education Awarded Six Tech & Learning 2024 Awards of Excellence: Best of 2024

    BenQ has earned six prestigious Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence 2024 for its innovative education solutions — the BenQ Board RP04 and the ideaCam S1 Plus — recognized in Primary, Secondary, and Higher Education categories. These awards highlight BenQ’s commitment to creating versatile, user-friendly tools that support modern teaching. The BenQ Board RP04, the first interactive display with Google Mobile Services (GMS), streamlines access to Google tools while enhancing security, personalization, and accessibility for students and educators alike. Meanwhile, the ideaCam S1 Plus offers educators a powerful document camera with high-resolution visuals, flexible angles, and smart features to improve classroom engagement.

    Both products stand out for their practical design, blending advanced technology with ease of use. The RP04’s intuitive interface, text-to-speech capabilities, and antimicrobial screen make learning safer and more inclusive, while the ideaCam’s 15x zoom lens and AI noise-canceling microphone ensure clarity in dynamic classroom settings. These awards reinforce BenQ’s dedication to equipping schools with effective tools that enhance learning experiences and simplify IT management.

    BenQ, an internationally renowned provider of visual display and collaboration solutions, took home six Tech & Learning (T&L) Awards of Excellence 2024: Best of 2024 Both the BenQ Board RP04 and the ideaCam S1 Plus won awards in T&L’s Primary Education, Secondary Education, and Higher Education categories. The judges from T&L assessed the nominated products by considering their versatility, value, utility, and ease of use, ultimately supporting innovative and effective teaching and learning.

    “The EdTech landscape is rapidly evolving, making it essential for schools to identify the most ground-breaking and effective solutions,” said Carly Burton-Sallay, senior marketing manager at BenQ Education. “Having both our BenQ Board RP04 and ideaCam S1 Plus recognized across all three award categories is a testament to their flexibility, affordability, and ability to meet the diverse needs of educators. We’re grateful to the judges for acknowledging the thoughtful engineering behind these solutions and how they empower schools and their teachers to shape the future of education.”

    Educators can teach their way with the BenQ Board Pro RP04, the first interactive display fully integrated with Google Mobile Services (GMS). GMS integration not only offers schools easier access to Google Play and Google Classroom, a more native experience when using Google Search and other Android applications, but also provides built-in security features that protect schools from cybersecurity risks. A fully redesigned user interface features a home screen that allows users to either type or speak to start browsing lesson content from the Google Search bar. The GMS-integrated RP04 delivers unprecedented teaching and IT management flexibility. Educators can personalize learning using relevant apps while IT managers tailor the board to their school’s needs. The displays also make learning more accessible to students, featuring text-to-speech, so students can hear text as it is displayed or written on screen, and multilingual translation, which provides resources in different languages. With BenQ’s centralized user and device management, schools can easily transition to using BenQ Boards without additional configurations. As with the previous generations of the BenQ Board, the RP04 features BenQ’s EZWrite whiteboarding software, its InstaShare wireless screen-sharing solution, the industry’s first antimicrobial touchscreen, and Eyesafe, which protects users’ eyesight from harmful blue light, flicker, and more.

    The BenQ ideaCam S1 Plus is a cutting-edge, all-in-one document camera tailored perfectly for education. With its advanced image quality, flexible multi-angle shooting modes, and intuitive interface, it seamlessly integrates into modern classrooms. The ideaCam S1 Plus empowers teachers to deliver engaging and interactive lessons by projecting live demonstrations, detailed documents, or 3D objects onto displays. Its high-resolution visuals, magnetic 15x zoom glass lens for intricate details, and autofocus capabilities ensure clarity, even when showcasing complex content, and its stand allows the user to effortlessly adjust the camera to the desired height. The AI noise-canceling microphone facilitates seamless communication, even in noisy environments. The integration with BenQ’s EnSpire software enhances usability with auto exposure, picture-in-picture, and other teaching-friendly features. Whether analyzing scientific experiments or showcasing 3D geometry, the ideaCam S1 Plus transforms classrooms into dynamic learning environments, fostering collaboration and deeper understanding.

  • Connection Restored: What Higher Ed Can Learn from ISE 2025

    Connection Restored: What Higher Ed Can Learn from ISE 2025

    As I made my way back to campus following Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2025 in Barcelona, I found myself reflecting on the event’s timely theme: “Connection Restored.” After years of digital transformation accelerated by global disruptions, this year’s focus on human-centered technology integration couldn’t have been more relevant to our higher education landscape.

    For me, a special highlight was seeing the Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance (HETMA) with its first-ever booth at ISE. While the official theme was “Connection Restored,” for us higher ed AV folks, it felt more like “Connection Made.” Having a dedicated space where college and university technology managers could gather amid the enormous exhibition created a welcome sense of community and shared purpose.

    After four days of wandering the massive Fira exhibition halls, attending sessions, and connecting with peers from around the world, I’m returning to campus with fresh insights about how we might approach our technology strategy. Here are a few things that stood out…

    Beyond the Pandemic Response
    Remember 2020-2021? The scramble to implement remote learning solutions? The emergency purchases? The faculty training marathons?

    While those days are (thankfully) behind us, higher education hasn’t simply reverted to pre-pandemic norms. Instead, we’ve entered a new era where digital and physical learning environments need to coexist seamlessly. Students expect flexibility, faculty want reliability, and administrators demand efficiency.

    What impressed me at ISE was seeing technology designed specifically for this new paradigm rather than hastily repurposed solutions. Manufacturers are moving beyond “pandemic response” to thoughtful integration that enhances human connection rather than merely enabling distance. Walking the show floor, I was drawn to solutions focused on amplifying human interaction.

    Tech That Enhances Learning
    The “Connection Restored” theme truly came to life in the Connected Classroom exhibit—an impressive 120sqm showcase that quickly became one of my favorite spots at ISE 2025. This hands-on environment integrated over 30 products across four distinct zones, each addressing specific educational challenges we face daily on campus.

    In the Social Learning Zone, one could test furniture designed specifically for collaboration, with built-in technology that facilitated group work without becoming a distraction. The Teachers’ Zone featured classroom management systems that actually seemed designed by people who understand teaching—with intuitive lesson planning tools and interactive displays that responded naturally to both touch and digital pens.

    The Hybrid Learning Zone addressed our ongoing challenge of creating equity between in-person and remote participants through thoughtfully integrated digital whiteboards, intelligent camera systems, and audio solutions. Then there was the Streamers and Creators’ Zone, which showcased

    how relatively affordable podcast equipment, streaming tools, and editing software can transform students from content consumers to creators.

    What stood out wasn’t necessarily the individual technologies but how seamlessly they worked together to support teaching and learning rather than demanding attention themselves. This integration offered a compelling vision of what our campus learning spaces could become.

    Key Technology Trends for Higher Education

    • Immersive Collaboration Environments – Several vendors showcased advanced immersive spaces. These “digital twins” of physical spaces allow students to learn in a way that is more captivating than a traditional classroom.
    • Sustainable Technology Infrastructure – Energy efficiency and sustainability were prominent themes throughout the exhibition. With campuses increasingly setting ambitious carbon neutrality goals, the emphasis on reducing technology-related energy consumption resonated strongly.
    • Accessibility and Universal Design – Perhaps the most encouraging development was the prominence of universal design principles across product categories. Vendors are increasingly recognizing that accessibility features benefit all users, not just those with disabilities. Accessibility should be part of the standard, not an add-on.

    Bringing It Home: Next Steps for Our Campus
    As I start to think about what the next phase of classroom might look like on my campus, several actionable recommendations stand out:

    1. Invest in flexible infrastructure. Choose software-defined systems that can evolve without hardware replacement.
    2. Prioritize standards over proprietary solutions. Closed systems might offer short-term convenience but create long-term limitations.
    3. Center accessibility from the start. Build it into procurement rather than treating it as an afterthought.
    4. Strengthen cross-campus partnerships. The most successful implementations bridge IT, instructional design, and academic departments.
    5. Cultivate faculty technology champions. Identify early adopters who can showcase possibilities to their peers.

    Restoring Connection, Building New Ones
    Since I’ve been home from Barcelona, I reflected on how ISE’s “Connection Restored” theme applies to our campus technology strategy. The pandemic forced us to find ways to maintain connections through technology. Now, we have an opportunity to strengthen those connections and build new ones that weren’t possible before.

    The most valuable technologies I saw weren’t those with the flashiest specs but those designed with deep understanding of educational contexts and human needs. By focusing on these human connections—between students and faculty, between learners and ideas, between theory and practice—we can ensure our technology investments truly serve our educational mission.

  • Carousel Digital Signage Scales School Spirit for Minnesota K-12 District

    Carousel Digital Signage Scales School Spirit for Minnesota K-12 District

    Carousel Digital Signage is helping high schools in Minnesota’s fourth-largest district elevate communications with Carousel Cloud software. Serving roughly 29,000 students in the southern suburbs of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Independent School District 196 is acclaimed for the quality of its academics, arts, and athletics programs.

    At Eagan High School just south of Minneapolis, migrating to digital signage communications was necessary due to the sheer number of events taking place any given week. The school is buzzing day and night with classes, sports practices, and theatre rehearsals, as well as community activities—all of which must keep students, staff, and other participants informed about meetings, opportunities, and events. Apple Valley High School in Apple Valley, Minn., also needs an intuitive method for delivering up-to-the-minute news about its various goings-on, and to celebrate individual student achievements.

    All of this drove the decision to invest in Carousel Cloud digital signage management software to support the displays positioned throughout the two facilities.

    “In a school district of our size, communication is all-important. We use digital communication simply because there are so many things going on in our schools,” said Paul Saxton, broadcast journalism teacher at Eagan High School. “Carousel Cloud is powerful, yet easy to use. It lets us get all that information out in a dynamic, engaging format.”

  • Extron and HETMA Forge Strategic Partnership to Revolutionize AV Solutions for Campus Learning

    Extron and HETMA Forge Strategic Partnership to Revolutionize AV Solutions for Campus Learning

    Extron’s AV solutions elevate experiences through cutting-edge technologies, enhancing image clarity, sound quality, and system reliability, while also providing robust asset management tools for efficient oversight of large-scale AV systems.

    Extron and HETMA have formed a strategic partnership to advance AV technology in higher education across the U.S. This partnership includes co-developing training programs, promoting industry thought leadership, and fostering continuous product improvement based on feedback from higher education AV professionals.

    The partnership aims to enhance the quality, accessibility, and effectiveness of AV systems in educational institutions by leveraging Extron’s technology and HETMA’s expertise in the higher education sector.

    We are excited to announce a strategic partnership with the Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance (HETMA), a non-profit advocacy organization representing higher education audiovisual professionals. Together, we strive to advance AV technology and solutions for institutions across the United States.

    This partnership brings together Extron’s advanced AV technology and HETMA’s deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges faced by higher education institutions. By collaborating on innovative solutions, we aim to improve the quality, accessibility, and effectiveness of AV systems in classrooms, lecture halls, and other educational spaces.

    These world-class organizations will collaborate on the following initiatives:

    • Training and Certification Programs: To ensure that AV professionals in higher education are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively deploy and manage AV systems, Extron and HETMA will co-develop training and certification programs. These programs will focus on best practices in AV design, installation, and maintenance, with a special emphasis on the unique requirements of higher education institutions.
    • Thought Leadership and Industry Advocacy: The partnership will also focus on promoting thought leadership and advocacy within the AV industry, with the goal of elevating the importance of AV technology in higher education. Extron and HETMA will jointly participate in industry conferences, webinars, and publications to share insights and drive innovation in AV solutions for education.
    • Feedback and Continuous Improvement: HETMA’s members will have a direct line of communication with our product development teams, providing valuable feedback and insights that will help shape future AV products and solutions. This collaborative approach ensures that the evolving needs of higher education institutions are consistently met.
  • Dante Helps Students Succeed at TsingHua University

    Dante Helps Students Succeed at TsingHua University

    Established in 1911, TsingHua University in northwest Beijing has a combined student population of over 50,000, with 21 schools and 59 departments encompassing science, engineering, humanities, law, medicine, history, philosophy, economics, management, education and art. The School of Economics & Management (SEM) was founded in 1984. Over the past 40 years, Tsinghua SEM has maintained its China leadership in talent training, scientific research, social influence, and international exchanges, and has made continuous efforts to build a world-class school of economics and management. When constructing a new academic building, they turned to Dante to fulfill their extensive audio needs.

    The teaching areas in the new building include 23 multimedia classrooms, 14 standard classrooms, and more than 40 seminar rooms. Approximately 700 Dante-supported devices are installed to support the school’s audio needs, making it the most extensive network-based audio system in mainland China.

    “It was a prospective decision to choose to use the Dante Networking system in our new building,” said HongGang Zhao, Head of Multimedia at TsingHua University’s School of Economics and Management. “It gives us lots of flexibility. As quick as a new idea comes, it will help us to make it happen.”

    Dante is a complete AV-over-IP platform that allows audio, video, and control data to be transported over standard 1Gb Ethernet networks. Supported in over 3,800 Dante-enabled products from more than 550 manufacturers, Dante replaces point-to-point analog and digital connections with software-based IP routing, allowing users to send AV channels anywhere on the network with perfect digital fidelity.

    The project team selected the Dante-enabled BSS BLU-806DA for audio processing throughout the building. The BSS DSP features a low latency, fault-tolerant digital audio bus of 256 channels and four card slots for custom I/O configurations of analog, digital, and telephony cards.

    The team also selected Dante-enabled Shure ULX-D wireless microphones for larger classrooms to provide better audio coverage and consistent sound during lectures. Dante AVIO USB adapters were also included in the classrooms to allow students and instructors to connect any computer to a Dante network with zero software installation, which was ideal for remote instruction and conferences.

    Device management and monitoring requirements were paramount, with approximately 700 Dante products on the network. Thus, the project team implemented Dante Domain Manager, a server-based software solution that provides a centralized view of the entire deployment. The software allows the team to divide the system into groups to manage broadcast traffic more efficiently on the computer network and improve maintenance efficiency. Through a centralized view, the team receives alerts when issues arise in the system. Then, they can access the system from anywhere, determine the problem, and solve it remotely.

    “Dante Domain Manager with its API has been straightforward for us to use,” said HongGang Zhao. “With the ability to see all the devices at once on the network, it’s easy to monitor and manage our systems. Sitting in the control room, we can identify the system issue remotely in advance, this allows us to work more efficiently and keep our classrooms operating smoothly.”

    The school recognizes the importance of network multimedia technology in the future of smart classrooms in higher education. With the growing adoption of related technologies, such as the cloud, big data, and AI, the school hopes to seamlessly connect new technologies in the future to the Dante platform to expand teaching capabilities for staff and students alike.