ClearOne BMA 360 transforms learning and events at MTU

Six ceiling plates with the BMA beamforming microphone array 360, with Voice Lift technology, of ClearOne provide full, high-quality coverage in the conference room and in a multipurpose space at Michigan Technological University – PERSON.

The new sound equipment in these spaces of the Michigan Technological University (PERSON) they suppose, as your IT services director explains, David Chard, “a boost to socialization, while teaching mastery of modern communication tools and providing important benefits for remote students”.

For this person in charge, “Connectivity and digital communications are fundamental to virtually every discipline we teach at MTU today, and our students expect and deserve class-leading tools that optimize efficiency and enhance educational experiences.”

Ceiling plate microphones ClearOne BMA 360 have been installed in the conference room DOW 642 and in the East Reading Room from the library “immediately transforming the way each space is used, by enabling clear, crisp audio pickup of any voice in any seat thanks to smart capabilities Voice Lift of these units”, says Chard.

Each room is used for various purposes, from teaching to remote meetings and collaborations. For example, The university often invites virtual lecturers and educators to participate in academic activities.

The problem with this activity is that “These were mostly one-way presentations because there was no easy and effective way to give individuals a voice across a large crowd of attendees.. With BMA Voice Lift capability 360, Both rooms now offer all attendees the opportunity to be heard clearly, without having to pass a microphone or change position within the room”.

The new BMA microphones 360 from ClearOne have also greatly simplified the use of spaces, so most meetings no longer require the help of a technology student to set up.

“This is a fundamental improvement -adds Chard-, since one of the objectives of the university is to promote technological competence, and that is only achieved when the technology is easy to use and works consistently and reliably.. Even at a technology-focused educational institution, Bad experiences with devices or components can cause people to disengage”.

During semesters affected by COVID-19 restrictions, “We implement a series of Chat speakers 170 of ClearOne in several small rooms, so that both our students and faculty know the status and ease of use of the brand”.

In fact, Chard remembers that the university community recorded and viewed more than 225.000 hours of instruction in this period, used by distance learners and in cases where classrooms are closed again.

Another part of this project has been the transformation of the East Reading Room in an easy-to-use multipurpose space, “which is one of the largest on campus, of more than 464 m2, to hold meetings, presentations and events with remote participants. As staff and student expectations have evolved, the technology in the East Reading Room had become obsolete and did not provide the flexibility and standards of other spaces”.

After verifying the good results obtained with ClearOne technology in the conference room, It was decided to install three BMA units 360 in this multipurpose space to present, capture, record events.

Besides, The university's ICT managers consider the possibility of carrying out more BMA installations 360 in other classrooms and spaces on campus “with the aim of guaranteeing experiential learning, in which students directly benefit from practical access to technologies that they are also likely to use in their professional careers.”

As pointed out Sea Hakimoglu, President and CEO of ClearOne, “MTU is a true success story of what can be achieved when institutions leverage class-leading technologies and devices like ours to support collaboration and communication in spaces of any size.”.