Using the Classroom Button Panels

All classrooms are equipped with a button panel to operate the A/V equipment installed in the room. This button panel provides an easy to use and consistent interface to the A/V features of a room, and eliminates the need for a projector remote control. Rooms with button panels also feature more advanced problem detection and reporting, which increases room reliability.

The button panel is usually located on the wall near the front of the room or built into the lectern. It can be used to turn the projector on and off, select which sources to display, adjust volume levels, and also to report problems with the A/V system. Pressing any of the source buttons will turn on the projector and display the desired source. Which sources are available will vary by classroom. Some common sources include: a laptop input, DVD/VCR, and a document camera.

When you are finished using the A/V system, just press the "Off" button on the bottom left to turn the projector off. When using the button panel, keep in mind that some devices take a moment to respond to your commands. The projector, for example, can take about 30 seconds to warm up when first turned on. It also may take a minute or more to cool down. During these delays, the orange light for the button you pressed will blink, and operation of other buttons may not be allowed until the delay has passed.

Important: Do not use the buttons on the projector itself. Use the button panel described here instead.

Screens

Classrooms are equipped with either manual (pull down) or electric (motorized) projection screens. Rooms with electric screens may have a separate switch on the wall to raise and lower the screen. In some rooms, the screen will be raised and lowered automatically when the projector is turned off or on. In rooms with this feature, a button is provided on the button panel labeled "Screen", which acts as a toggle to manually raise and lower the screen if desired.

Reporting Problems

A problem report button is included on the button panel. If you believe the A/V system in the room is malfunctioning, you can use this button to notify support staff. The button acts as a toggle; when the red light above the button is lit, the room is flagged as having a problem. If you are able to resolve the issue yourself, you can clear the problem report by pressing the button again until the red light is out.

Please note that although support staff will make every effort to correct the issue promptly, immediate response to problem reports is not always possible. If an immediate response is not possible, every effort will be made to check on the room during the next break in classes.