Welcome to the electronic classroom!

Five of the larger university lecture rooms have now been transformed to take advantage of the latest technology. Rod MacDonald, A/V Distribution Operator, says the department would like to see more use of the wired rooms, which include OC203, Science Lecture Hall, Wenjack Theatre, Bata Library and CC Lecture Hall.

Features now available include CD cassette hookups, wireless mikes, and touch panels to control lighting and sound. Instructors who have set up their lectures on software such as PowerPoint can control every aspect of their presentation from their laptop. Or, they can bring in an entire presentation on a disc and use university computers.

MacDonald says: "Over the past couple of years, more and more people are using presentation software, PowerPoint, Corel, and other packages to organize and present their lectures. The Department of Psychology has embraced it and so has science, including (Professor) John Earnshaw for astronomy." The use of video, wireless mouses, and computers can make lectures more engaging. Video projectors are available in smaller rooms to display statistics or for special presentations.

The university plans to install computers linked to the Trent network in all the large rooms, so they will be available when needed. "The equipment is there. We're here to support them," MacDonald says. The department offers orientation sessions to explain what is available.