The University of Nevada adds TeamConnect Ceiling 2 in your RebelFlex classrooms

As a central element of your innovative audiovisual solution, the University of Nevada microphones included Sennheiser TCC2 one 58 multipurpose classes.

The University of Nevada (vegas – UNLV) is a world-renowned research teaching center that prides itself on the diversity and competitiveness of its hospitality academic programs., law and other disciplines. After successfully completing a pilot phase, has deployed the solution Sennheiser TeamConnect Ceiling 2 (TCC2) in 58 multipurpose classes, which calls RebelFlex.

During COVID-19, the center had to face a series of technical challenges. As we welcome international students and face persistent uncertainty about how the pandemic would affect in-person learning, made the decision to enable classrooms for hybrid teaching, so that students could attend both in person and remotely. The new solution consisted of several Sennheiser TeamConnect Ceiling microphones 2, brand that distributes Magnetron, that were installed in 58 multiuse classrooms of campus.

The chancellor needed an ambitious, bold plan that would help faculty and students navigate a complex learning environment., while providing value to the University in the long term.

The Senior Audiovisual and IT Systems Specialist Frank Alaimo and the specialist in classroom control systems Michael Theil They gathered the University's IT team and came up with a plan.

“It was what I call the Swiss Army knife of the classrooms.”, because it is a typical class, but to which we add the ability to record presentations and hold web conferences”, explains Alaimo. “Now the room is equipped for synchronous and asynchronous interaction, to record sessions, to provide teaching in person”.

The administration demanded that each room be a 'faithful copy' of the others in terms of technical equipment. “The rooms could have different sizes and furniture, But for us it was important that they offer the same functionality”, adds Alaimo. “One of the things we wanted to guarantee to our teachers was that, when they went from one building to another, “The touch panel was exactly the same and they could record the classes with the maximum audiovisual quality.”.

The new hybrid classroom, affectionately nicknamed RebelFlex, in honor of the University's mascot, It was the result of natural evolution.

“We already had the system SpeechLine Digital Wireless from Sennheiser and software Control Cockpit and we added the TCC2 microphone as part of our overall web conferencing solution”, explains Alaimo. “Now the teacher has a microphone on the lectern and if he decides to teach his subject while moving around the room, “The TCC2 system can capture both the students and the teacher”.

The TCC2's patented beamforming technology is especially useful in classrooms where students are actively involved.

“Microphones pick up voices quickly, They can focus on the student who is speaking and then jump from one speaker to another, if required", Theil points out.. “This also makes life easier for the IT team.”, since we do not have to make adjustments to the microphones, which saves us a lot of time”.

The first RebelFlex was implemented in the UNLV faculty and, later, IT team provided recommendations on how to migrate new and existing classrooms to a more modern HighFlex environment.

"At first, The concept was somewhat overwhelming for teachers., so, as part of the RebelFlex pilot program, “We included an advisor in each classroom as support so that teachers could remain focused on their syllabus during the initial implementation.”, comments Alaimo.

The initial deployment was carried out in 58 classes. “We selected eight classrooms on campus that already had a camera and recording device Passover and we converted them into RebelFlex classrooms. The others 50 classrooms are completely new, with equipment that includes Sennheiser TCC2 microphones”.

RebelFlex classrooms vary in size, from 25 until 179 seating, and the largest rooms have two TCC2 units. In addition to other classrooms of this type that are in the planning phase, Alaimo and his team are studying the possibility of converting a campus auditorium that is undergoing renovation. “The auditorium already has all the recording functions, so, If the administration decides to move forward, “We will be ready to deploy TCC2 easily.”, says Alaimo..

Forecast and performance

In an unpredictable world, The new RebelFlex classrooms offer predictability and ensure a common experience for teachers and students.

“The most important thing is to collect the message transmitted from the microphone and the content of the slides”, says Alaimo.. “The TCC2 not only helps to capture the presentation, “But it also allows students to feel more integrated in the class.”.

Theil agrees with this statement: “We wanted to ensure that class monitoring was similar for both students who are physically in the classroom and for those who participate remotely.. “Our system has been designed so that students at home have the same opportunities as those who are in person on campus.”.

TCC2's network compatibility made installation much easier. “Using Dante with TCC2 makes things a lot easier, because everything appears as a network device”, comments Theil. “The ability to route all devices with a simple mouse click simplifies everything, This way we can monitor performance through Control Cockpit from the same office. Besides, with Dante connectivity, I can combine the conference features of two or more rooms quickly if necessary”.

With Sennheiser Control Cockpit software, IT can also monitor things like battery level, silence and other functions. “Remote monitoring through Control Cockpit gives us the security that when someone enters the room there will be no problems, because we know that everything will work as it should”, Theil adds..

Theil also appreciates the exclusion zones feature that TCC2 offers, as each room presents its own noise problems. “If there is an air conditioning system nearby, “We can adjust the pickup pattern so that it stops capturing the noise it generates.”.

Once the exclusion zones have been defined, Theil only has to fit a standard audio processor. “I don't have time to create a custom DSP program for each room and that's something I really appreciate about this product, because it works wonders right out of the box.”.

Alaimo adds that the deployment of RebelFlex, including Sennheiser's TCC2 solution, has established a new benchmark for the functionality of the University's classrooms and is confident that the path taken will be maintained: “We have projects of all types and sizes, but we believe that in the future all classrooms will be RebelFlex classrooms”.