Enhancing Hybrid Learning: A Pilot Program Using Sony Technologies in the Classroom
- 1. Enhancing Hybrid Learning: A Pilot Program Using Sony Technologies in the Classroom
- 2. Background • Post COVID Student driven demand for the option to take classes remotely • Work-life balance • Flexibility • Accessibility • NUIST Partnership • Competitiveness • Reach new student base outside geographic area • Parity of esteem between those online and those in class • Work with the space we have…
- 3. The Pilot Programme Ready for teaching semester January-June Three modules across two programmes Review of available technologies and selection of most suitable Build the room Train staff Support delivery Review process
- 4. Considerations for Excellent Hybrid Classroom • High Quality Audio • High Quality Video • Handwriting Extraction for the Whiteboard? • Reduce the lecturer’s cognitive load • Video capture • Works with both Zoom and Teams • Parity of Esteem for online and in-class students
- 5. Review of Available Technology
- 6. High Quality Video • Enhanced Engagement for Remote Learners • Improved Interaction • Dynamic Capture • Ease of Use for Lecturers • Professional Quality Video • Efficient Use of Classroom Space • Reduction in Technical Support Needs
- 7. High Quality Audio 1.Array of Multiple Microphones 2.Directional Focus 3.Noise Reduction 4.Dynamic Steering 5.Improved Sound Quality 6.Integration with Other Technologies 7.Versatility 8.Networked Audio 9.Centrally managed
- 8. The Selected Solution? • Selected Sony for end-to-end solution • Worked with Noel McMahon and Philippe Remion from Sony • Increased integration and compatibility • Dante Audio capability • Sony’s Microphone Array System Manager for scalability • Edge Analytics for camera tracking and handwriting extraction
- 9. The Cameras – Sony X400 & XB25 • X400 Works with Edge Analytics as a PTZ controller to track speaker • From rear of the classroom, it can follow the lecturer everywhere in the classroom • Software sets the framing and Zoom • 4K30P IP PTZ Camera with 30x zoom and NDI • XB25 used as a static camera on the whiteboard for handwriting extraction • Compact 4K60P IP BOX-style Remote Camera with 25x optical zoom
- 11. Auto Tracking
- 13. Example of Handwriting Extraction
- 14. Beamforming Ceiling Microphones • 3.5 meter pick-up radius • Can be focused on lecturer’s area • Can build array of two or more • Excellent sound quality • Advanced speech reinforcement • Dante Audio and PoE compatible • Multichannel output for streaming and speech reinforcement • Feedback and noise reduction • Automatic gain control • Microphone Array System Manager
- 15. Screens • 75” & 55” Sony Bravia Professional 4K Displays on stacked stand showing • Gallery view • Presented content • Angled 45 degrees to the classroom • Also Sony Projector
- 16. Other considerations • BYOE • 8-port network switch • HDMI fibre cables needed for long runs • Elgato Streamdeck to switch between cameras and control Zoom • Mic muting • Recording • Switch gallery view • Bring up chat • Raise hand
- 17. Lecturer Feedback • Easy to use • Good to have the Zoom controls on the Stream deck • The sound quality in-room and online was great • Great to see the online students at the front of the class, when they turned their cameras on • Great to be able to move around and not worry about being seen or heard • It just worked • Except when it didn’t… but the support was good
- 18. Student feedback • We could see when lecturer was talking to us online and when he was talking to the class • Could hear the lecturer clearly all of the time • Really like the camera following the lecturer/the camera following the lecturer made me queasy (motion sickness) • I could clearly see the diagrams the lecturer was drawing on the whiteboard • Felt like I was part of the class, not just watching a class • It was great to be able to have a discussion with the students in the classroom
- 19. SRG A12 & A40 PTZ with Auto Tracking
- 20. Find this slide deck here…
- 21. Questions? Find this slide deck here…
Editor's Notes
- #3: 353 students from China enrolled in SETU programmes in the last year
- #4: Higher Diploma in Computer Science MSc in Computing (Enterprise Software Systems)
- #7: PTZ Optics
- #8: TeamConnect Clear One The beamforming technology allows these microphone systems to keep track sounds in a space without the need for a microphone to be placed immediately in front of the speaker. One mic or a series of mics in larger spaces can be mounted on the ceiling to track and focus on the conversation as it moves around the room—and cancel out other unwanted sounds.
- #15: Array of Multiple Microphones Directional Focus Noise Reduction Dynamic Steering Improved Sound Quality Integration with Other Technologies Versatility Networked Audio