Walk into any classroom or meeting room on a Texas State University campus, and you’re likely to encounter audiovisual (AV) tools ranging from computers, projectors, and video monitors to microphones, recorders, and speakers. We use this technology daily to achieve our academic, research, and business goals. Without a second thought, we enter a room, touch a control panel, and the AV equipment magically springs to life. Should the room’s technology not respond as expected, help is merely a call away. This convenience may sound like magic, but it isn’t. At Texas State, the hardworking individuals who expertly meet our AV needs are a rather humble group. In fact, their mission is to do their job so well you don’t need to see them. Meet Learning Spaces, a branch of the Division of Information Technology whose responsibilities include designing, installing, explaining, and supporting the use of AV equipment found in our instructional and collaborative spaces.
Consultation and design
Learning Space’s design specialists are often the initial point of contact for stakeholders requesting the installation of AV technology in a specific space. Comprised of an instructional technologist, a designer, and a programmer, this group first seeks to understand a stakeholder’s needs. After gathering relevant information about the goals for technology use, the design group creates a proposal with recommended components and optimal placement. At any one time, the design arm oversees 50 to 75 active projects, each with varying degrees of complexity, making time and resource management imperative. To streamline their services to classrooms and free up time for other projects, Learning Spaces standardizes design for classroom AV technology, renewing and refreshing the components in each space as needed. Universal classroom designs are revisited once every four to five years.
Support and integration
Learning Spaces takes pride in completing most requested projects in-house. Once the design specialists have completed a proposed plan for a space, the support and integration side takes over. From implementation to training, this group of professionals installs, maintains, and provides support for AV system designs. Learning Spaces also collaborates with facilities, architects, and contractors to ensure AV infrastructure is integrated seamlessly into new buildings and large-scale renovations. Supporting effective use of AV systems is a focal point, so these experts are also on the front lines, helping in classrooms and educating users.
Education and innovation
Learning Spaces prioritizes empowerment through knowledge. Whether its members are coaching technology users or promoting ongoing professional development for staff and student employees, the aim is to ensure everyone has the knowledge they need to be successful. Learning Spaces offers training in emerging technologies and media-rich venues in a way that aligns with their stated mission, which is “…to provide a service that fosters self-empowerment and independence while promoting successful use of technology in the classroom.”
Many contributions made by Learning Spaces to the campus community include the design, installation, and support of custom projects, such as the Teaching Space of Tomorrow, and a state-of-the art film screening room in the Texas State Theatre Center. Currently, Learning Spaces specialists are investing long hours in two particularly high-visibility projects. In the McCoy School of Business, crews are installing AV in the McCoy Student Success Center, complete with an 85-inch television and ceiling microphone. Renovations of the J.C. Kellam building’s 11th floor presidential events suite, projected for completion later in the fall, will require the construction of two entire video walls.
From installing and supporting AV in classrooms and meeting areas to creating custom AV system designs for large-scale venues, members of Learning Spaces live their goals each day: empower with knowledge, provide exemplary in-house support, and offer the best possible AV solutions to the Texas State University community. Visit the IT Assistance Center’s information page, About Learning Spaces, for more information.
Kimberly Conner is a publications writer for IT Marketing and Communications.
