Hybrid Learning
With students increasingly learning online but still requiring some face-to-face contact time, the University wanted a system that could enable staff to quickly switch between these two key provisions.
The technology needed to be easy to use and seamlessly integrated, as well as being capable of delivering teaching content in ways that would keep audiences engaged and interactive.
Various challenges needed to be considered and overcome, with practical difficulties including everything from poor acoustics to low ceiling heights for cameras.
The type and number of screens each room would need was also a consideration, along with how they’d be raised and lowered. The pedagogy of any solution also needed to be taken into account, in order to preserve the robust integrity of the university’s educational provision.
We provided technology to deliver a teaching and learning experience that suits both staff and students alike. There’s capacity for live video, easy sharing of content and interactive discussion like question and answer sessions – all essential for delivering a richer and more engaging programme of learning.
There’s even provision for better accessibility too, with boundary microphones to help improve audio and intelligent use of cameras to make lip reading easier.
In terms of obstacles to the project’s success, Chris cites only one: lead times. With demand for digital equipment inevitably high during the pandemic, certain technologies were in short supply. As Chris points out though, we helped the university get around that potential setback.
“IDNS were always thinking ahead, predicting where there might be stock issues and sourcing excellent alternative products to those we might struggle to find. Ultimately, that helped us deliver our project on time and within budget – quite an achievement at any time, never mind during a pandemic.”
In response to staff feedback, the university is implementing a further upgrade to make sure its hybrid technology remains consistent and comprehensive across all its key teaching spaces. Overall, the implementation has been an overwhelming success, in large part thanks to IDNS. Chris explained,
“IDNS have been brilliant, supplying all of the technology we required as well as designing a customised solution that answered every single one of our needs.”
In terms of the impact that’s had on the university’s staff and students, Chris is equally positive. This helps explain why a further 22 university spaces are already earmarked for being upgraded to hybrid learning environments.
