Watch the full video below:

Learn more about Panasonic Connect PTZ Cameras HERE

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

Learn more about Epiphan Pearl Mini HERE

Learn more about Epiphan HERE

What Is a One Button Studio?

A One Button Studio represents the epitome of user-friendly video recording setups. As its name implies, it operates with the utmost simplicity, requiring just a single button press. This accessibility makes it a valuable tool for educators and students, regardless of their prior video production experience. Users simply step inside, press the solitary button, record their video, and leave with their recording in hand.

Each studio is typically equipped with professional-grade gear, including cameras, microphones, lighting, and a computer or hardware encoder. These elements seamlessly merge into a unified, intuitive interface. Furthermore, the setup streamlines the process of obtaining the recording, offering options for automatic file uploads to the cloud or straightforward downloads to a USB drive.

The advantages of One Button Studios extend beyond mere convenience. The effortless, user-friendly experience empowers educators and students with creative control. Moreover, the “one button” simplicity not only saves time but also liberates IT and support staff from complex technical support, allowing them to focus on other critical tasks.

How One Button Studios are Applied

One Button Studios have made a significant impact on educational institutions worldwide, enriching the learning experience in a multitude of ways.

Flipped Classroom and Online Learning: Educators and staff leverage One Button Studios to craft pre-recorded lessons for the innovative flipped classroom approach or even develop entire online courses with ease.

Student Presentations: These studios empower students to effortlessly create high-quality video presentations. They can refine their skills by practicing class presentations, recording speeches, lectures, interviews, or project demonstrations – all without the burden of grappling with the technical complexities of video production.

Digital Storytelling: One Button Studios open the door to student creativity, facilitating the production of videos for storytelling, filmmaking, or documenting school events. This hands-on experience nurtures digital literacy and hones valuable media skills.

How to set up a One Button Studio

Creating a One Button Studio may appear daunting, but rest assured, it’s more accessible than you might think. Here’s a straightforward guide to get you started:

Step 1: Choose the Ideal Location Select a quiet space that provides ample room for your studio equipment and any props or decor you might need for your recordings.

Step 2: Gather the Essential Equipment You’ll require:

• High-definition camera (with HDMI or SDI out)
• Professional microphone (shotgun or lavalier)
• A green screen
• Studio lighting
• Epiphan Pearl Mini video production system
• Optional: Consider equipping your studio with a busylight to signal when it’s in use.

Step 3: Installation and Configuration Set up the studio equipment and for the “One-Button” aspect, connect your camera and audio to the Pearl Mini. Configure Single Touch recording on the device, including options for cloud upload or flash drive download. Once the configuration is complete, users can initiate and conclude recordings with a single touch on the Pearl Mini’s touch screen.

Step 4: Develop a User Guide For seamless operation, craft a user guide for your One Button Studio, outlining straightforward steps. Include instructions for powering the equipment, commencing recording, and accessing the recorded files.

Step 5: Thorough Testing Invite students and teachers to test the setup. Identify any friction points and resolve them. Ensure your setup is user-friendly for everyone and consistently produces high-quality results.

One Button Studios represent an educational revolution, delivering a user-friendly, adaptable, and budget-friendly solution for producing top-tier video content. Whether you’re an educator striving to captivate your students, a student eager to elevate your presentation prowess, or an institution committed to enriching its educational portfolio, a One Button Studio stands as your gateway to triumph.

Read the full article by Marta Chernova for Epiphan HERE

Learn more about Epiphan Pearl Mini HERE

Learn more about Epiphan HERE

Nothing in technology can enable and guarantee classroom equity like good audio. To create educational experiences that enable students to learn and communicate successfully, one must be able to speak clearly and use high-quality audio. In both physical and virtual classrooms, the use of audio technology by teachers can improve communication and encourage engaging learning experiences. Not only is reliable audio essential for understanding lectures, but it also enables colleges to adopt more sophisticated, cutting-edge learning methodologies.

The correct audio technology investments are essential for success whether you are learning in a classroom or at home. Here are some characteristics to consider when choosing audio equipment for educational settings.

1. Clear Sound Capture & Delivery

Even a well-designed classroom might have acoustic issues, such as background noise and reverberation. The key to taking on these difficulties head-on is having audio technology that is concentrated on optimizing sound quality for spoken word.

A wireless microphone, such as the Panasonic WX-ST200 Digital Wireless Handheld Microphone, not only uses noise suppression technology to improve the speaker’s voice clarity but is also tuned for maximum speech intelligibility. This type of wireless system is perfect for hybrid and fully virtual learning environments since it can give superb sound quality in small or large rooms.

In hybrid classroom situations, educators can also create a more natural atmosphere by combining different microphones. In order to ensure that the professor could be heard regardless of whether they were in the room, the Steven M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan used both ceiling-mounted microphones and a desk-mounted microphone that we set up.

2. Easy Integration & Intuitive Usage

Undoubtedly, the technology used in today’s classrooms to support learning is diverse, but making sure that these technologies can interact with one another contributes to the creation of more fair learning environments. Finding an audio system that allows simple connection with third-party control systems can allow for a more complete and user-friendly ecology in the classroom, whether you want to add to an existing setup or want to switch in the future.

Sound from presentations or films can be broadcast both locally and remotely by integrating audio. Teachers can use touch panels to remotely watch and control audio levels and check the battery life. Additionally, speakers have the option of bringing their own laptops or using an integrated computer with a USB thumb drive.

Having an audio system that effortlessly integrates with existing spaces and software ultimately gives institutions and lecturers the ability to quickly swap between systems. To further make technology use for educators simple, a facility could choose to standardize audio equipment throughout all classrooms.

3. Flexible Wireless Capabilities

Airwaves are getting crowded as FCC regulations keep reducing the UHF spectrum range that wireless microphones can use. However, DECT-based wireless systems provide a broad frequency and noise reduction technology that can aid in reducing interference and disruptions. Systems like Panasonic’s 1.9GHz digital wireless microphone system, which continuously checks channel utilization and automatically swaps channels to provide reliable communication, offer an easy and intuitive option. In the end, as new technologies are developed, the wireless frequency spectrum is constantly changing, but remaining current with a flexible wireless microphone solution will help to ensure your operations continue to run as efficiently as possible.

4. Scalable for Current and Future Needs

It’s crucial to think about both the needs you have now and potential future needs when making an investment in audio equipment for the classroom. A scalable solution is therefore crucial. Your chosen technology must now be able to meet your performance requirements and be updated and maintained in the future.

While the modern classroom is changing to incorporate new pedagogies, having a strong audio system can help to keep students interested both inside and outside of the classroom.

Read the full article from Panasonic Connect HERE

Learn more about Panasonic Connect WX-ST200 Digital Wireless Handheld Microphone HERE

Learn more about Panasonic Connect Audio HERE

Working in media can be a difficult endeavor.  Whatever your aspirations are the education needed to accomplish these goals can be overwhelming.  Getting an early start on this is priceless and that’s what the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District on Long Island have set out to do.  At Mepham High School a classroom was redesigned into a television studio for the students to get their feet wet in broadcasting practices.  Using equipment like a NewTek TriCaster Mini the students at Mepham High School are learning next-level skills that will put them ahead of most students looking into a career in broadcasting.  With introductory and more advanced classes at all levels in the high school and even local internship opportunities, the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District has made it easier for students to get a running start into TV/Film college curricula.

Our program is a four year major with students from across the district applying for admission during 8th grade. Broadcast Communications I for freshmen uses the history of broadcasting to teach basic production skills. Broadcast Communications II for sophomores is a broadcast journalism course which also gives students skills in operating our studio equipment. During junior year, Broadcast Communications III focuses on narrative storytelling with students recreating scenes from sitcoms and film noir in our studio before creating their own short works. In their senior year, students will have the opportunity to work independently in an editing lab while they seek out internship opportunities in the community….[continue reading]

Can we adopt an unconventional perspective on educational video production and delivery to find opportunities that have thus far gone unmined? For both the Athletics and MLBAM, the unconventional perspective the disruptor adopted was obvious in retrospect, but simply outside of the consensus viewpoint.

If you were tasked with supporting teachers in educational video production, the conventional approach to staffing such a team would be to hire videographers with strong pedagogical design backgrounds. These skills are necessary, but an undervalued and overlooked skill in our roster construction is artistic design. Video is a visual medium: There is some value to showing a talking head, and great value in recording the teacher away from the classroom, out in their discipline’s natural environment. But not all visual aids can be photographed.

Collaborating with teachers to produce curricular art content is currently a niche skill and one very difficult to find advertised in job postings. With virtual and augmented reality on the rise, where so much more of the visual content is artificial and artistically produced, tomorrow’s top curricular video production shops will be fighting over experienced curricular artists….[continue reading]