Bridging the learning divide: How MTSU unifies the learning experience with Pearl Mini
By Jennifer P
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) was confronted with the challenge of optimizing the learning experience for their diverse student body, whether they were attending classes in person or remotely. With a substantial investment in classroom technology, spanning over 400 classrooms and including projectors, sound systems, document cameras, computers, and laptops, MTSU had a significant opportunity to leverage this technology to enhance the educational journey. The goal was to find a solution that would enable the seamless alignment of all these classroom devices for the recording of lectures and, importantly, provide students with the ability to access these recordings later or through live streaming.
However, their initial exploration into software-based solutions proved ineffective, leading the MTSU Classroom AV team to look towards hardware-based methods to fulfill their requirements. What they needed was a system that could automate the capture of lectures from various sources, allowing for easy recording initiation and termination, while also providing the means to deliver this content to Panopto and Zoom. To further complicate matters, they required a scalable, cloud-based solution that could be effectively managed and controlled across the extensive array of classrooms with a small staff of only two individuals. Additionally, they sought a system that would eliminate the possibility of human error, saving precious time for the AV team and ultimately enhancing the learning experience for both students and faculty.
The solution to MTSU’s complex challenge came in the form of a strategic synthesis involving Epiphan, Panopto, and Zoom. Epiphan Pearl Mini emerged as the ideal choice, providing an automated lecture-capture system that could harmonize all classroom video sources, manage the initiation and termination of recordings, and seamlessly deliver the video content to Panopto and Zoom. The added advantage of cloud-based capabilities granted the AV team the ability to monitor the technology in each classroom in real-time and remotely, offering a comprehensive and flexible solution.
Furthermore, the implementation of Epiphan Pearl Mini not only streamlined the technology deployment process but also worked in tandem with Panopto as the Content Management System (CMS). This integration enabled simultaneous live streaming and local recording, making it convenient for students to switch between camera and computer views. The ease of this integration significantly enhanced the overall learning experience at MTSU.
Another notable benefit of Pearl Mini was its capacity to enhance the Zoom experience. Instead of relying on built-in webcams, the university leveraged the existing cameras and microphones within the classrooms. Pearl Mini efficiently rerouted the audio and video back to Zoom, ensuring that all students attending virtual sessions could clearly hear and see the content being presented, which further contributed to an engaging and effective remote learning environment.
The Epiphan Pearl Mini’s cloud capabilities marked a major turning point for the AV team. With Epiphan Edge™, they gained complete remote access, a centralized dashboard for monitoring devices, and the invaluable capability to receive real-time alerts about any issues that may arise, eliminating the need for physically traveling across campus to troubleshoot problems. This powerful feature not only saved time but also improved the efficiency of the AV team’s operations.
Most significantly, the implementation of Pearl Mini made recording and accessing lecture content a straightforward process for both faculty and students. Its one-touch operation was intuitive and required minimal training, making it accessible to users of all experience levels. Additionally, faculty members could schedule recording sessions, eliminating the need to remember to initiate the recording at the start of each class. This, in turn, allowed faculty to review their teaching performance and enhance their methods, ultimately benefiting the students’ learning experience.
As a result of these innovative solutions, MTSU moved closer to its overarching goal of creating an inclusive and immersive learning environment that benefitted students and faculty alike. The successful implementation of Epiphan Pearl Mini streamlined classrooms, saved significant time for the AV team, and improved academic performance for students. With its intuitive operation and seamless integration with Panopto and Zoom, the solution offered a robust foundation for enhancing the educational experience at Middle Tennessee State University, fulfilling their vision of making learning more accessible and efficient for everyone involved.
Read the full case study from Epiphan HERE
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