AV SuperFriends

Recorded May 20, 2022

We start with a new story about Morehouse College wanting VR for everyone. It certainly seems more viable at smaller schools, but we're skeptical.

Then, Chris wants help creating a truly useful sandbox space. Marc suggests lots of infrastructure, Justin recommends an area for bench testing and a nicer version for outside users, Larry talks about the concept of "a safe space to fail," and Jamie is building sandboxes all over campus on someone else's dime.

Finally, Marc has a project at OSU involving VR and AR systems for agricultural programs and giving away devices to students. It sounds like a heckuva recruiting tool.

News Stories discussed:

https://edscoop.com/morehouse-college-vr-metaverse/ https://edscoop.com/ohio-state-ends-ipad-program/ https://dive4ag.oregonstate.edu/virtual-reality-field-experiences https://www.timelooper.com

Recorded May 6, 2022

Before the show even begins, Chris grabs the mic and expresses his frustrations with participants on video calls. It's 2022 and there's simply no excuse.

Then, Larry poses an interesting question: If we all had the funding and time to update or replace almost every AV system on our campuses, how would we do it? Would we stay the course and get a few years ahead on refresh cycles? Would we dramatically shift directions, capabilities, and platforms? Or, would we panic and flounder while paralyzed with indecision?

Finally, we respond to a listener question who wants to know how we onboard new equipment and track it through our various receiving, networking, integration, and support systems? While none of us have found one perfect software solution, there are some interesting options that don't involve a shared spreadsheet…

Recorded April 29, 2022

Hey, Rachel is back! Well, for the news segment, anyway. NAB was this past week and Rachel shares some insights into what trade shows might portend for the future.

Then it's time to dive deep into the software we all use throughout all aspects of an AV project. Notes, task management, shared network folders, CAD, Sketchup, and everything in between. Also, if you're taking notes on your phone, yes, we all think you're texting. Stop it.

Finally, we all have gear that just won't die and even after removing it from a system, we can't bear to part with it because we'll find a use for it somewhere, somehow. And in 2022, when DSPs are hard to come by, those old mixer amplifiers are looking pretty good…

Article: https://www.sportsvideo.org/2022/04/28/nab-announces-attendance-of-52468-at-2022-show

Recorded March 31, 2022

Chris and Marc were at NWMET 2022 in beautiful Coeur d'Alene, Idaho in March and set up a table in the middle of the hallway to talk with as many people as possible about AV in higher education.

In this episode, we're joined by Marc Yakubisin from Diversified and talk through how integrators can be better partners with colleges and universities AND how those colleges and universities can be better partners with their integrators.

Marc on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-yakubisin-836965a3/ Diversified: https://onediversified.com/ NWMET: https://www.nwmet.org

Recorded March 31, 2022

Chris and Marc were at NWMET 2022 in beautiful Coeur d'Alene, Idaho in March and set up a table in the middle of the hallway to talk with as many people as possible about AV in higher education.

In this episode, we're joined by new kid on the block, Joe Way from USC. We talk faculty feedback, incremental software upgrades to existing systems, faculty feedback, a deliberate design process, and faculty feedback. We also try to stump Joe by asking what he would do differently considering the past two years, but he's quite happy with his teaching and learning spaces.

USC Learning Environments: https://itservices.usc.edu/spaces/ Joe Way: https://twitter.com/josiahway https://www.linkedin.com/in/josiahway NWMET: https://www.nwmet.org

Recorded April 8, 2022

Working with integrators and consultants is a necessary part of the job for any higher ed AV manager, and the AV SuperFriends have plenty of suggestions to make that process easier. Step 1, don't give away engineering and design. Step 2, don't give away consulting and end user interaction. Step 3, don't give away programming. Step 4, don't give away integration. In fact, just do it all in house.

Marc has recommendations about working on capital projects, Larry is happy to work with outside experts on highly specialized projects, Chris wants integrator pricing estimates to be honest and not hide costs or overcharge, Justin has a well-established system at WKU of splitting projects into multiple phases so they can be budgeted and contracted separately, and Jamie wants to ensure that if an integrator is engaged, that he is in the loop as the liaison to ensure standards are being met and followed.

We also discuss bringing new integrators onboard, building relationships, leveraging multiple suppliers for box sales, and when to expand those relationships with value-added services.

Recorded March 31, 2022

Chris and Marc were at NWMET 2022 in beautiful Coeur d'Alene, Idaho in March and set up a table in the middle of the hallway to talk with as many people as possible about AV in higher education.

In this episode, we're joined by Frank Alaimo and Andy Borts from UNLV to talk about their more measured approach to creating and supporting modern teaching and learning spaces. Frank shares his big, bold plan for the hardware and AV systems and Andy discusses his unique and highly successful model for faculty support using those systems. If you need guidance on how to implement campus-wide hybrid teaching and learning on your campus, this is the model to follow. UNLV RebelFlex: https://www.it.unlv.edu/classroom-technology/rebelflex NWMET: https://www.nwmet.org

Recorded April 22, 2022

After over a month away, we're back and have all sorts of things to talk about… but not on this episode. We start with more data from EDUCAUSE that suggests leadership should talk with their local IT staff who support the learning spaces on campus. It's a good article from a trusted source to forward on to your managers and directors.

Then, what's all this event support we keep getting roped into? Can we build our learning spaces to support events or will users just want something else in addition? Marc wants to clearly define the support scope, Justin keeps running into his video production colleagues, Jamie is way ahead of the game with aux I/O in every classroom, and Chris would be happy if people would just stop putting gaff tape on his microphones.

Finally, we all go over our clever little ways to avoid the dreaded capital asset tags. At least technology is getting cheaper…

Article discussed: https://er.educause.edu/articles/2022/4/educause-quickpoll-results-learning-spaces-transformation

Recorded March 11, 2022

Jamie brings an article that describes two very different experiences with warranty and support… of socks. It's relevant in a weird way. And in a year when we're having to be extra flexible with our choices of equipment due to the supply chain madness, it does raise the question of just how much that manufacturer support weighs in our decisions of what to specify.

Speaking of supply chain, let's talk supply chain! Marc can't plan for projects, Larry is wary of replacing anything until everything is here, Chris is using the summer for maintenance and staff training, Justin is tired of spending 50% of his time getting asked for schedule updates, and Jamie thinks 2022 might just be the year of deferred maintenance. We'll check back in 12… 16… 26 weeks…

Article: https://www.residentialsystems.com/blogs/a-tale-of-two-warranties

Recorded March 18, 2022

We immediately derail the show with an in-depth discussion of blockchain and educational credentials. Larry and Marc have been looking into this and it seems to be the future of education… sort of.

Then, we cover campus support structures. That is, how is your support team staffed? Is your install team your support team? Do you have your own support desk or do all the calls go to the university help desk— and can they actually help? Take notes!

Finally, Chris wants to know what everyone thinks of auto-framing and auto-tracking cameras? Are they worth it over a regular PTZ camera or just another feature to be disabled?

Article discussed: https://edscoop.com/territorium-credential-engine-learner-records/