Extron AV Technology Helps Create an Engaging Learning Environment at New THEi Campus

Teachers and professors are always stretched thin, and they need every advantage they can get. Extron AV solutions go a long way to transforming the way educators approach their goals.

Challenge

The Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, THEi, recently opened their Chai Wan campus. Located in Hong Kong’s Eastern District, the new school features award-winning architectural design that fosters a dynamic and collaborative learning environment that includes lecture theaters, classrooms, tutorial rooms, laboratories, and meeting rooms. From the beginning, THEi administrators wanted to create advanced learning spaces with high-performance AV systems. It was critical that the AV systems across the campus would deliver a uniform and engaging user experience for teachers and students alike.

Solution

THEi selected pro-AV specialist BAP Technology Consultants Limited of Hong Kong to turn their concept into reality. The campus is designed to provide collaborative settings that encourage students to learn from instructors and from each other to further THEi’s “learn and do” approach. The AV systems and Extron solutions built into the various teaching venues are key to meeting these goals by providing high-energy, engaging conduits for imparting and sharing knowledge.

Classroom AV Systems

Collaborative learning rooms and standard classrooms are outfitted with similar AV systems. Each has an Extron MPS 602 Media Presentation Switcher that allows instructors to display AV content from multiple digital sources. Students share AV content from their own portable devices via a ShareLink™ 200 N Wireless Collaboration Gateway. Extron SF 3CT LP ceiling speakers powered by an XPA 2001 -70V amplifier ensure everyone can hear clearly. AV source selection, audio levels, room lighting, motorized screen position, and display power are controlled from the TLP Pro 520M touchpanel on the podium via an IPCP Pro 350 control processor.

Lecture Theater AV System

With soaring walls of glass, stadium-style seating, multiple projection screens, flat panel displays, and an 18-speaker sound system, the main THEi Lecture Theater transforms learning into an inspiring event. Despite the grand scale, it's not intimidating to teach here because the AV tools available are the familiar ones found in the other teaching venues on campus.

Flexible video signal routing capability is provided by an Extron DXP 1616 HD 4K HDMI Matrix Switcher. Audio signal processing is handled by two Extron DMP 128 Plus C AT Digital Matrix Processors equipped with acoustic echo cancellation, microphone automixer, and Dante® audio transport over LAN. A ShareLink Wireless Collaboration Gateway provides connectivity for student sharing via the theater’s WiFi. An Extron TLP Pro 1022T touchpanel works with an Extron Pro series control processor to provide intuitive control for all AV system functions.

Results

Educators seldom get the opportunity to build the ideal college campus from scratch. When they do, careful planning by experts in their fields leads to great educational outcomes. A campus built to serve the smartphone generation must provide a learning environment rich in multimedia AV content. THEi met this challenge with help from BAP's AV expertise and Extron's broad array of AV solutions. BAP Project Director Finson Lam expresses BAP's formula for success this way: "We maintain a holistic approach to consultation, design, build, and project management. The key to creating a successful integrated system environment is in understanding the relationship between people, space, and technology, and bringing these elements together in an effective and cohesive manner. Teachers and professors are always stretched thin, and they need every advantage they can get. Extron AV solutions go a long way toward transforming the way educators approach their goals."