Loughborough University creates innovative educational space

AV infrastructure including Extron control and touch screens has been installed in the new West Park Teaching Hub, Panasonic projectors and displays, Wolfvision viewers, as well as lecterns and conference recording devices from TeamMate.

two years ago, the Loughborough University in the United Kingdom decided to convert Ford College from the West Park campus, which was previously an open office space rented by various companies, in a 21st century learning space with different classrooms and areas for informal work, el West Park Teaching Hub.

After a public tender, Loughborough chose Pure OFF to design and install audiovisual systems in the new center. These include four conference rooms with tiers, four classic classrooms, an informal learning space and digital signage solutions.

The idea to take into account in this project was to merge collaborative and traditional teaching methods. A combination of classic classrooms with specific furniture for collaborative work and conference rooms with tiers that allow the planning team to offer teachers different types of classrooms to suit their needs.

A fundamental aspect of the audiovisual design that has been implemented is the uniformity it offers to the end user., given that, regardless of classroom type or location on campus, academic room users will be familiar with audiovisual technology and user interface. to get it, The University has established a standardized approach to scheduling and equipment selection.

“It is important to create a family environment so that the academic staff can concentrate on teaching the class, without having to worry about the technology they will have to use. This integration and programming approach completed by Pure AV has allowed us to create an effective environment for teaching and offer academic staff the greater convenience of a familiar interface.”, affirmed Aaron Turlington-Smith, assistant director of teaching at Loughborough University.

The standard classroom configuration includes control and touch screens of Extron, projectors and screens Panasonic, visualizers Wolfvision, lecterns and conference recording devices TeamMate. This standardization of manufacturers allows assistance services to have spare parts for the main equipment in case of failure.

Another objective of the project was to increase the number of informal learning spaces for students. Caroline Pepper, learning environments manager, explains: “Before the creation of the West Park Teaching Hub, some students had to travel considerable distances between classes to find an area suitable for group work and informal study. Informal study areas have been created adjacent to formal educational spaces at the West Park center, so that if students do not have to attend scheduled classes, they have an area equipped with furniture intended for collaborative work where they can continue conversations and carry out group work activities.”.

The educational spaces were designed to allow two classical classrooms to be combined to create one large exhibition space.. Panasonic projection equipment and other audiovisual equipment located in these classrooms are designed to allow for removable lecterns and audio control to ensure optimal operation and performance., either with the traditional teaching method or with the combined exposure method.

The four Panasonic PT-DZ780 projectors installed in each of these combined areas are configured to display duplicate images once configured for exposures. The performance and reliability of this equipment was a key factor in the University's decision to use it throughout the campus..

A subsequent evaluation of the building has revealed that there have been notable improvements in the building's ratings. According to qualitative research, The highest rated result of the project was the consolidation of formal and informal spaces within the same area.