Media Services

SMART Classrooms in Library, Math and Science: a Quick Overview

            In the new buildings (Library, Math and Science), each classroom is a SMART classroom.  They contain powerful multi-media tools which are controlled via an easy-to-use control panel called the PixiePro.  These classrooms represent LMC’s fourth Generation SMART classroom with the addition of the Pixie controller.   The Pixie controller eliminates the need to use remotes for each individual device, because the functions have been programmed into the Pixie, making it the master control for the system.  These classrooms contain a mounted LCD projector, a podium that houses a DVD/VCR combo unit, a desktop PC, and speakers with an amp for surround sound, and a VGA cable to linkup a laptop, all of which are controlled by the PixiePro.

To use the SMART classrooms, follow these steps:

• Press the “on” button for LCD.
• Next choose your projection sources: located on the SMART panel are three choices-laptop, DVD/VCR combo or the lectern PC.
• Press the “up” or “down” button next to volume control to control the volume of the projection for all the sources. 
• Remember to turn off the projector when you are finished. It is extremely IMPORTANT to power off the projection when you are done as this helps preserve the life of the projector.

Here is a picture of the Control panel with the “on” and “off “switch, the source options, and the controls for the VCR/DVD combo unit:

PC LECTERN

• Begin by turning on the lectern and choosing the lectern PC as your media source.
• Turn on the monitor if it is not on. The computer should be on; however, if it is not, open the lectern and turn on the PC.  The computer is Internet ready.
• If you have files that you need to project, there are at least three different ways of bringing your files to the computer.
• The floppy drive or Drive A: 
• Insert your disk.
• Go to “My Computer” and open the disk.
• Copy your files onto the desktop. 
• Another way to upload files onto the lectern PC is the CD drive or Drive E:
• Insert your CD into the E: drive.
• Go to “My Computer” and open the disk.
• Copy your files onto the desktop. 
• Yet another way to upload files can be done by using a USB flash drive.
• The lectern PC has 4 USB ports: two are located on the monitor and the other two are located on the PC itself.
• Connect your flash-drive to any one of these USB ports.
• Go to “My Computer” and open the disk.
• Copy your files on the desktop. 
• Still another way you can import files is via the Internet.  If you have a site that has your files on it, you can download them and save them to the desktop.
• New features for the desktop computers are Freeze and Picture Mute.   Freeze allows you to freeze the image on the desktop monitor and the image being projected.  Picture Mute makes the picture being projected disappear or Mute.
• Another feature that comes with the Pixie is Picture in Picture. While using Picture Mute, press Computer 1 then PIP and it will display what you have cued up for the DVD player.  To get out of this feature press PIP then Picture Mute and finally Computer 1.  That will bring you back out to your main source. 
• Remember to turn the projector off when finished!!!

DVD/VCR COMBO UNIT

• Begin by powering up the SMART station and selecting the option of VCR or DVD on the pixie controller.
• For DVDs open the lectern and press eject on the pixie controller to insert a DVD and eject again to close the tray.  For a VHS-tape, just insert the tape in the VCR tape deck.
• After choosing your source notice that the Pixie controls to the right of the controller light up.  For DVD mode you have the option of menu, exit, PIP (to display your computer) and subtitle.  You also 4 arrow keys for navigation and the center button for OK or enter.
• Both DVD and VCR have the use of play, fast-forward, rewind, pause and stop, but only DVD has the use of the chapter skipping buttons.
• A new feature is Subtitle which comes standard with the VCR. To show subtitles for your movie, simply press Subtitle.  It will switch the video source to video and transmit the signal.  To get back out of the feature Press DVD.
• Another new feature is Volume Mute.  This comes in handy when trying to queue up a tape or a DVD.  To use Mute press mute and all the sound will be turned off and this feature can be used in conjunction with Picture Mute.   Do the reverse to bring the sound and the picture back.

If you need to use the VCR/DVD combo unit, you can find it inside the SMART station:

IPOD

• Begin by powering up the SMART station and selecting the option IPOD.
• Then open the left side drawer and connect your composite cables to the ones provided in the drawer.
• The volume for the system is controlled thru the Pixie controller.
• (NOTE):  In order to connect your PMP( Portable Media Player or MP3) you need the cables made by the manufacturer of your device i.e. Creative, Microsoft, or Apple.

Here is a picture of the audio and video connections for the MP3 player.  These connections are on the desktop in the Science Building, but in the drawer in the Math Building.

LAPTOP USE

• Begin by turning on the SMART station and selecting laptop.
• Then connect the laptop to podium’s VGA cable and ¾ inch audio cable.
• If you are not able to see your laptop screen and the projection at the same time, hold down the FN key and toggle the F8 Key at the same time to accomplish that.
• Remember to turn the projector off when finished!!!

Use the VGA cable to connect your laptop to the SMART station.  It comes equipped with a 3.5mm jack that connects to the headphone output jack:

Document Camera Use

• Begin by turning on the LCD Projector and choosing document camera on the Pixie Control unit.
• Open the drawer on the left side of the podium.  The drawer should be locked, so use the key you checked out from Media Services to open the drawer.  Inside you will find the document camera.
• Power on the document camera by pressing and holding the button on the right side of the AverMedia document camera.
• Next raise the arm of the document camera to your desired height and turn the camera to your desired camera direction.
• Now this camera comes equipped with an LED light system and a four point laser grid.
• To turn on the LED/Laser grid rotate the head of the camera until you come to the switch which activates this feature.  There are four options to choose from and they are LED, LED w/ laser, No LED, and No LED w/ laser.  This four point laser grid helps you to identify what can be seen through the cameras eye.
• Next you will notice there three buttons on the center of the document camera and they are playback, pc, and camera.  You will press camera if it is not already selected and that will allow you to use the document camera.
• The next features that you will use are Zoom and Auto Focus.  Zoom will allow you to enlarge the document or shrink the image to fit the entire screen.  You can accomplish this task by toggling the + or – buttons that are next to Zoom.

This is the document camera and it is found in the left drawer of the SMART station:

• Once you have found the correct zoom option you press the auto focus button to bring your document into focus and that is how you use the document camera in the SMART stations in the Science and Math Building.

Here is a close-up picture of the document cameras controls.

Please contact the Media Services desk at extension 3454 if you need further assistance.