Classroom Technology

1. Login to the teaching station, if required, by entering your UTORid credentials on the touch screen (using the on-screen keyboard). Skip this step for Teaching Docks as there is no touch screen.
2. Using an HDMI cord from the cable bundle in the teaching equipment, connect it to the instructor’s device, an adaptor might be required depending on your device. We recommend bringing your own adaptor to connect to the teaching station.
3. Select source by choosing HDMI 1, 2, Room PC or AirMedia, then click send to projector. By following this order of operation, this will power on the projector and ensure the source you selected will be sent to the projector. 
4. Check volume controls on the touchscreen and the microphone to ensure the instructor’s voice is captured. For teaching docks, there are no level controls for microphones, they are set to a best standard level.

OCCS recordings are synced to your class schedule and start at 10 minutes after the hour. Instructors never have to worry about starting or stopping the recordings; it’s all automated.

Captures audio from room microphones, and content from the podium PC or other connected devices. Please note that copyrighted content from streaming sites will not be recorded.

Automatically publish recordings, or manually publish them if light editing is required. Stop and resume recording sessions at any time through the LSM Portal.

Recorded files can be made available through Quercus or uploaded manually to a secure file-sharing site for student access.

Verify that your assigned classroom is OCCS-enabled by checking the instructor portal. 

Please note: Your OCCS recording must be scheduled in advance through the OCCS opt-in process by 5PM the day before the scheduled class. Once scheduled, the system starts and stops automatically based on the start and end times of your class.

How to Opt-in

If your classroom is OCCS-enabled, opt-in through Quercus. 

Locate the course you wish to opt in from your dashboard and select it. Once in the course, find and select the Settings option in the navigation bar to access your course settings.

During the opt-in process, you will have the option to choose how you would like to manage your recording. These options include:

• automatically uploaded to Quercus or
• manually shared with your students

Crosslisted courses

Cross-listed courses (sections) take on the course ID of the primary course. Please email the Opencast team so the section(s) can be enabled correctly.

Example: ABC999H1 has four sections (0101–0104). If these sections are merged into a single cross-listed course, all sections adopt the course ID of the primary section. 

As such, OCCS can only see the course ID for the primary course. The team will have to enable the cross listings in this case. 

Please note: recordings for all sections will be available (if published) to all members of the course. To alleviate this, you may either refrain from publishing the content, or download the recordings and share it through an alternative method.

• Arrive at least 10 minutes early to ensure the system is operational. Recordings start at 10 mins after the hour. There is no way to start recordings earlier or later.  
• Make sure you confirm that your recording has started on the podium touchscreen. If the counter has started on the panel, this means your recording is live.  
• Usage of the podium microphone or lav mic is mandatory for OCCS recordings. Please ensure that you are aware of how to operate the microphone in your assigned classes. If you are teaching in a room with a teaching dock, a lav mic will be delivered before the start of your class.
• If you have any questions or would like to ensure your OCCS recordings are successful, please reach out to Tech2U via email.

• Recordings are processed and delivered according to the method chosen in your booking request within 24hours after your class.
• If using Quercus, confirm that the recording is correctly posted in the intended course shell. 
• Retain backups of any original presentation materials.  
• Recorded content will be retained for a period of 1 academic term ONLY. 

Depending on how you chose your preferences during the opt-in process, the content recording captured will either be automatically uploaded to Quercus, or you can manually download it.

If you only want specific student learner(s) to access your content recordings, you may consider uploading your content recording to a U of T-approved software solution (i.e., MyMedia). We advise you to consult this how-to guide developed by the UTM library, which outlines the steps to upload your MyMedia recording to Quercus. Alternatively, please consider connecting with CTSI to explore solutions available to you.

Please note that Tech2U does not assume responsibility for your content recording once it has been made available to you. Tech2U cannot share your recording directly with any of the student learner(s) in your course. 

Your full – sized teaching station comes with a built – in gooseneck microphone. This microphone has a wide range of motion and can be easily repositioned to suit your needs.

To use, simply turn on the microphone from the teaching station touch screen and speak into the microphone.

Mic Placement: Is the mic within 15 centimetres of where the instructor is speaking into?

Audio Settings: Did you check the audio setting on the touchscreen of the teaching station/dock? Make sure the volume levels have been turned up.

Streaming App (i.e., Zoom): Did you check to see that the correct source is selected on the streaming app?

Other issues: Is the mic unplugged or not functional, press the intercom button on the teaching station/dock for assistance.

Should you wish to be mobile while teaching we also supply a lavalier microphone, this is stored in a magnetically locked compartment of the teaching station. If you are teaching in a room with a teaching dock, reach out to Tech2U for a lavalier microphone.

To use, press the “Unlock Microphone Cabinet” button on the teaching station touch screen to unlock the closet. Attach the battery pack to your belt or pocket and the microphone portion to your shirt as close as possible to your mouth. Turn on the battery pack and start speaking.

Best Practices

• Position the microphone close enough to capture your voice clearly without distortion. Tip: Lav mics should be clipped to your shirt, at the centre of your chest, approx 6 inches from your mouth 
• Avoid pointing wireless microphones directly at in-room speakers to prevent feedback. 
• Store microphones securely after use to avoid loss or damage. 

If audio is not functioning as expected: 

1. Check Power: Confirm the wireless microphone is switched on. For battery-powered models, ensure batteries are properly seated and charged. Please note that some wireless mics have a switch on the side and the notch needs to be flipped to “mic”.
2. Check Mute Settings: Make sure the microphone mute switch is set to “on” or “unmuted.” 
3. Verify Input Selection: On the touch panel, select the correct microphone input (for example, Wireless Mic, Podium Mic). 
4. Check Streaming App Settings: If using a streaming or recording application (Zoom), verify the correct microphone is selected in that application’s audio settings. 
5. Adjust Volume: Use the touch panel audio controls to set appropriate levels. Do not rely on the computer’s volume settings for microphone adjustments. 
6. Test the Microphone: Speak directly into the microphone to confirm it is picking up audio. 
7. If No Sound: Your mic may need new batteries. Make sure to check the microphone cabinet as some podiums carry extra batteries in the microphone sleeve. Replace batteries or switch to a backup microphone if available, or contact Tech2U for assistance via the grey intercom button  
8. Can’t find your mic? Make sure to check the podium cabinet for microphone availability.  

If the issue persists, press the intercom button on the teaching station/dock for assistance.

1. Locate the 3.5mm audio jack on the input plate of the Teaching station, noted by the red arrows below. (There are 3 different versions of input plates. Locate the version that corresponds to the teaching station in your classroom).
2. Connect the output of your wireless microphone receiver into the 3.5mm audio jack of the teaching station using the 3.5mm cable that came with your mic kit.
3. Use the Wireless Microphone Volume Buttons on the touch screen to control volume.

1. Login to the full-size teaching station to access the touchscreen and select “AIRMEDIA” as the source. If you are working with teaching docks, be sure to select the “AIRMEDIA” source (no login info is needed).
   • For iOS devices (i.e., iPad, iPhone): Visit the Apple store page and search for the free “Creston AirMedia” app and download.
   • For Android devices: Visit the Google Play store page and search for the free “Creston AirMedia” app and download.
   • For PC & Mac laptops: Visit the Creston AirMedia website and scroll down to the header “Choose the model that’s right for you.” Then click on the link that says “Click here to download the latest AirMedia apps.” Select the appropriate operating system and proceed with the instructions to download the AirMedia app to your laptop.
2. Send to the display or to all displays (depending on number of screens).

Both Zoom and Microsoft Teams can be used as web conferencing platforms for virtual instruction, MS Teams is the University’s preferred video conferencing tool. Integrating meeting software with classroom AV equipment enables virtual and hybrid instruction. 

Signal Flow: Are the right sources selected?

Volume control: If there is feedback, be sure to mute all other devices on Zoom/MS Teams.

User guides: Software issue? Consult the Zoom or Microsoft Teams user guide for Teams as needed.

• Select the desired input (for example, Podium PC or HDMI) on the touch panel to route the signal to the projector. 
• Ensure all cable connections are secure before selecting the input. 
• For assistance with switching inputs or adjusting display settings, contact Tech2U by pressing the intercom button on the teaching station/dock

• Confirm the device is powered on. 
• Confirm the correct input is selected on the touch panel or button panel. 
• If you are using your own laptop, ensure the correct display mode is set on your device. Go into display settings to ensure you are not in extended or duplicate mode. 
• Try rebooting your device or the podium PC 
• Unplug and reconnect the cable to your device 

If the issue cannot be resolved, request support from Tech2U by pressing the intercom button on the teaching station/dock for assistance.