Whitman-Hanson Regional High School
A Very Unique School Embraces AV Technology
From its stately brick and stonework architecture which reminds one more of a university than a public high school to its successful fusion of technology and teaching, Whitman-Hanson Regional High School in Whitman, Massachusetts stands out as a truly unique school. Whitman-Hanson is also a shining example of how design consultants, architects, AV integrators, and end-users can work together from the inception of a project to achieve great results. After a feasibility study determined that renovating the existing, sixty-plus year-old school buildings would be cost-prohibitive, it was decided to start from scratch on a new, energy-efficient, 250,000 square foot building on the same property. This ground-up approach allowed the designers, architects, and consultants to optimistically aim toward some exciting and challenging goals. One of the main project goals was for the school to become a model for 21st Century social and academic teaching and learning which responds to the most recent advancements in teaching, learning, technology, and social behavior. Of course this and all goals had to be achieved while staying within budget. Construction costs were partially offset by the Massachusetts Green Schools Initiative; however seeking cost-effective, reliable technology solutions was still a paramount objective.
Whitman-Hanson project leaders chose CC Technology Designs of Waltham, MA, as the Technology Consulting firm, and HB Communications, also of Waltham, MA, as the Integrator. Craig Finley, a Principal at CC Technology Designs, saw several challenges which needed to be addressed. "We had a unique opportunity to integrate technology on a grand scale into this school. Our primary concerns were cost-effectiveness, ease of use, and reliability. We also wanted resource management control so that an entire campus full of AV technology could be supported with limited resources. We took these factors and several more into account when we looked at AV control options for this project." Craig continued, commenting on why his firm chose Extron. "Extron provided the best solution that we could find. The price point was right, and the systems we chose allow an instructional staff member or an administrator to come into an area that has a large amount of technological equipment without needing a technician present every time they use the equipment." This concern is a common theme when implementing new technology into a classroom. "Each instructor has to embrace the technology for it to be effective." Craig adds. "Our goal was to provide equipment and a solution for the teachers to better deliver material to the students regardless of the teacher's familiarity with the technologies."
Pilot Room Pays Off
Early on, more than a year before the school was scheduled for completion, the architect, school administrators, and contractors assembled and the idea of a pilot room was brought up. This room would be constructed in the existing building and be used as a 'test lab' for the technologies slated for inclusion in the new classrooms. AV and electrical contractors were able to test phasing plans, and installation methods, and the room would provide the staff with hands-on experience for all of the equipment. This phase was crucial as it helped ensure there were no change orders on this project. Each staff member was asked to provide feedback on the design and usability of the systems. Over the course of the school year, every staff member was brought into the room and trained on the proposed equipment. "It was a very successful trial," says Craig. "We set the rooms up to be identical to the ones we were constructing in the new building – same AV components and controls." The feedback from the staff was important to the success of the final room configurations. Craig adds, "At one point a science teacher asked us where he would plug his digital microscope into the system. We hadn't considered the need for a composite video input connection until that point." Thanks to the versatility of the Extron MLS 506 MA Switcher, the teacher's request was granted.
Easy to Use, Consistent Control
Craig's team knew that any AV technology they chose would require a learning curve. His goal was to flatten out the curve by choosing equipment that required the least amount of technical know-how and provided an intuitive AV control panel. Beyond those criteria, flexibility and dependability were also prime concerns. Craig chose to equip each of the 67 new classrooms with an Extron MLC 226 IP MediaLink® controller and an MLS 506 MA Six Input MLS - MediaLink Switcher with Mono Audio Amplifier. Both are housed in a custom millwork enclosure at the front of each room. The MLS 506MA MediaLink Switcher is used in conjunction with the MLC 226 IP controller to power the projector on and off, and to switch between various classroom AV sources such as the computer, projector, Smart Technologies Interactive SmartBoard, document camera, and digital microscope. The MLS 506MA was chosen for a couple different reasons.
This MediaLink switcher offers 6 universal inputs that can handle any signal format from composite video up to RGBHV computer video. This greatly enhances the classroom AV signal switching capability beyond what is available by using the projector alone. It also provides a mono power amplifier to drive the four ceiling speakers.
The MLC 226 IP controller features Extron's exclusive IP Link® technology, a high performance, intelligent network integration solution which enables centralized monitoring and control of AV systems over the school's existing IP network. In each classroom, the MLC 226 IP provides source selection, volume control, and projector power control.
Economical, Easy Setup
Unlike many control devices that require extensive programming, Extron IP Link devices are configured using free Global Configurator software. Global Configurator puts all of the most commonly used system monitoring and control options at your fingertips, so there's no need to write software code. Global Configurator also allows for simplified configuration replication. At Whitman-Hanson, one classroom was configured, then that configuration was replicated to the remaining 66 identically-equipped classrooms with just a few mouse clicks.
Network-Enabled AV Resource Management
It is common for a school to secure funding for purchasing and installing AV systems, but underestimate the budget for technical support. Extron's IP Link technology works in conjunction with our free GlobalViewer resource management software, making it possible for one help desk technician to monitor, troubleshoot, and control systems throughout the campus. Soon, Whitman-Hanson will initiate their help desk technical support using GlobalViewer. If a teacher is experiencing technical problems, a help desk technician can use GlobalViewer to diagnose the problem by viewing the real-time status of connected devices. He can then use the application to toggle connected devices on and off, switch sources, even adjust the volume – all without leaving his desk. GlobalViewer can also monitor lamp hours, and even generate multiple email alerts if the MLC-226 IP senses a connected device has been unplugged. The GlobalViewer web application can be accessed on any networked computer, and even on a PDA running Microsoft® Windows Mobile®-based Pocket PC. When asked why CC Technology Designs chose the MediaLink controller, Craig replied: "We chose the MLC 226 IP based on price point, the fact that it is easy to teach and to learn, is expandable, and because it offers "back-end" technical support using IP Link technology along with GlobalViewer. With GlobalViewer, one person behind the technology help desk can remotely assist any instructor in any room."
Digital Signs of the Times
In addition to the AV systems in the classroom, there is liberal yet conscientious use of AV throughout the campus. There are six, 42 inch plasma monitors – one at the end of each hallway. "The architects asked us to look into informational signage early on." commented Craig. "The idea for this is based on studies which show young adults who've grown up in such a media-rich environment, learn and retain information better when presented visually as well as orally." These signs are placed at the hallway intersections at the 90 degree turns, and display a variety of content from simple messaging to content programming from CNN or Fox News or both on the same screen. There are also two 61 inch plasma monitors, one in the main lobby, and one in the athletic/arts lobby. Each of these monitors has its own content engine so that the screen above the athletics entrance can provide a live camera feed from the floor during a basketball game, while the one above the main entrance may simply be set as an informational kiosk. Each of these plasma monitors is paired with an Extron IPL T S2, Two Serial Port IP Link® Ethernet Control Interface which automatically turns displays on and off as well as continuously monitors connectivity and sends an email alert if it detects a loss of communication with one of the displays.
Consistent Control Interface in Every Room
There are eight Faculty Planning Rooms – two for each subject matter concentration of math, science, and social studies, and two Administrative Planning rooms. Unlike traditional high schools where teachers are paired with rooms which they keep all year, the teachers at Whitman-Hanson hold their classes in various rooms throughout the campus. The Faculty Planning Rooms are equipped with identical AV systems found in all the classrooms, and are used by the staff to prepare their lessons when the classrooms in which they are scheduled are still in use, or they need time to prepare their lessons between classes. Since each classroom has identical equipment, teachers are presented with familiar equipment and controls without regard to room assignment.
AV for the Performing Arts
There are two theaters on campus. The larger of the two is the main 850 seat Performing Arts Center, while the smaller venue is called the Community Theater. Each of these theaters employs an Extron CrossPoint 450 Plus 16x8 or 12x8 Ultra-Wideband RGBHV and Stereo Audio matrix switcher to route video and audio signals from PTZ cameras, a DVD/VCR combo deck, various presentation computers (located at the stage, sound booth, lighting booth), as well as auxiliary inputs in the control room equipment rack to the projector and other destinations. These matrix switchers also accommodate an AV signal link from the Community Theater video conference system to the Performing Arts Theater AV system.
A presentation PC is located at the sound control booth in each theater, so an Extron RGB 160xi Computer Video Interface is installed to provide line driving, sync conditioning, and audio interfacing as well as an additional output to drive a local monitor. In the Performing Arts Center a very long cable run was required to take the signal from a presenter's PC on the stage to the equipment rack, so an Extron MTP T 15 HD A and MTP R 15HD A Twisted Pair transmitter and receiver are used to send the RGBHV and audio signals over compact, economical CAT 5 cable.
The Big Picture
Hanging on one wall of the Library, you will find four 42" NEC plasma displays arrayed in a 2x2 pattern. CC Technology Designs wanted to take full advantage of the feature on the NEC's which allows for breaking an image up, spreading it over multiple displays. This 2x2 "video wall" can display static or moving images on one or all of the screens, and can even be used to create one, very large image on the array of four monitors. To simplify system integration, Craig chose the Extron DVS 304 Video / RGB scaler which can accept signals from multiple sources in several different video formats and output them all as RGBHV at the native resolution of the display. Each plasma display is also paired with an Extron AVT 100N, TV and Cable Tuner, allowing the plasmas to display broadcast video content.
Making the Grade
School began in the new building in September of 2005. Craig and his team felt confident that the AV equipment they chose would prove successful for the school staff and administration. The ultimate test of any AV system is how well it is received and used by the end-user. In the case of Whitman-Hanson, Craig said he was truly surprised. "What amazed us was how quickly the staff and students started using the equipment after the beginning of the school year. We came back in October to find that in 85% to 90% of the rooms, the equipment was being used on a daily basis. We had expected a much lower number that soon after school started. Ordinarily, after being transplanted into a brand new school and having to deal with the demands of new physical surroundings, the last thing I would expect from the teachers would be for them to embrace learning a new AV system. In any given classroom the equipment worked the first time the teacher used it, and it worked the 50th time they used it." There is much to be said for momentum when it comes to how people accept things - especially new technologies. Craig continued, "What surprised us at first turned out to have a simple explanation: we found that the reason the AV systems were so well received was that the Extron systems were consistently easy to learn and to use."
| Whitman-Hanson Primary AV Equipment List | ||
|---|---|---|
| 67 Classrooms and 8 Faculty Planning Rooms | ||
| Extron | MLC 226 IP | Enhanced MediaLink Controller with IP Link |
| Extron | MLS 506 MA | Six Input MLS - MediaLink Switcher with Mono Audio Amplifier |
| Extron | P/2 DA2 Plus | Dual Output VGA-UXGA Distribution Amplifier |
| Mitsubishi | ES100U | 2000 Lumen SVGA DLP Projector |
| Smart Technologies | Interactive White Boards with USB Adapter | |
| Panasonic | PV-D4744 | DVD / VCR Combination Deck |
| DuKane | Camera 101 | Visual Presenter |
| Performing Arts Center | ||
| Extron | CrossPoint 450 Plus 128HVA | 12x8 Ultra-Wideband Matrix Switcher with ADSP and IP Link for RGB and Stereo Audio |
| Extron | RGB 160xi | Universal Mountable Interface with Audio and ADSP |
| Extron | MTP T 15HD A | MTP - Mini Twisted Pair Transmitter for RGBHV and Audio |
| Extron | MTP R 15HD A | MTP - Mini Twisted Pair Receiver for RGBHV and Audio |
| Community Theater | ||
| Extron | CrossPoint 450 Plus 88HVA | 8x8 Ultra-Wideband Matrix Switcher with ADSP and IP Link for RGB and Stereo Audio |
| Extron | RGB 160xi | Universal Mountable Interface with Audio and ADSP |
| Hallway and Lobby Digital Signage System | ||
| Extron | IPL T S2 | Two Serial Port IP Link Ethernet Control Interface |
| NEC | 42" and 61" Plasma Displays | |
| Library | ||
| Extron | DVS 304 | Four Input Video and RGB Scaler |
| Extron | AVT 100N | NTSC TV and Cable Tuner |
| NEC | 42" Plasma Displays | |
| Campus Wide | ||
| Extron | GlobalViewer | AV Resource Management Software |
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