What is a Smart Classroom?

A Smart Classroom is a traditional lecture style teaching space that has available technological equipment that can be used to aid and enhance instruction of a course. Smart Classrooms are categorized based on the equipment available:

• Basic Smart Classroom: Features standard smart panel to connect a laptop to the video projector, a DVD/VCR player, and closed captioning capabilities.
• Advanced Smart Classroom: Features Smart Podium equipped with a Windows based computer, control and interface panels to connect a laptop to the video projector, closed captioning capabilities, a DVD/VCR player and document camera.  

Where can I find information online about the Smart Classrooms?

Visit the Classrooms Services website to obtain information about Smart Classroom location and equipment, training materials, training workshop information and more.

Where can I go to see a list of all the Smart Classrooms?

Visit the Learning Space Inventory link to obtain information about the number of student stations, type, media level, environment, and equipment for the Smart Classroom you will be teaching in. Begin by selecting the link to the campus building where the classroom is located.

Where can I go to see the type of equipment available in the classroom I will be teaching in this semester?

Visit the Learning Space Inventory link to obtain information about the number of student stations, classification level, environment, and equipment for the Smart Classroom you will be teaching in.

What type of equipment is available at a Smart Classroom?

The type of technology available in a Smart Classroom depends on its classification level:

• Basic Smart Classroom: Features standard smart panel to connect a laptop to the video projector, DVD/VCR, and closed captioning capabilities.
• Advanced Smart Classroom: Features Smart Podium equipped with a Windows based computer, control and interface panels to connect a laptop to the video projector, DVD/VCR, closed captioning capabilities, and document camera. You can view the type of equipment available in the classroom you will be teaching in by visiting the Learning Space Inventory link.

What can I do to prepare my computer network access in a Smart Classroom?

If you will be accessing the internet via the wireless network, visit Wireless Networking at Sacramento State website to learn about the areas on campus that have wireless access and to learn how to connect your laptop to the network.

What equipment do I need to bring with me in order to use the Smart Classroom?

The type of equipment you need to bring in order to use a Smart Classroom depends on the type of technology available in the room. If you are teaching in a Basic Smart Classroom you need to bring a compatible laptop computer, and may need to bring the appropriate Cables to connect your computer/laptop to the video projector and/or to the internet such as:

• VGA (Video Graphics Array) connector cable to connect your laptop to the projector,
• Apple DVI to VGA Display Adapter (If you will be using a Mac Laptop to connect to the projector),
• 1/8" mini audio cable to connect audio from a laptop to the speakers in the classroom,
• An Ethernet Cable to be able to connect to the internet (you can also connect via the wireless network).

If you are teaching in an Advanced Smart Classroom, there is a PC in the podium for your use.  If you wish to use a laptop, you will not need to bring any cables since all of the podiums are equipped with all the necessary cables to connect your laptop.

Visit the Learning Space Inventory link to review what type of equipment is available in the classroom you will be teaching, including whether cables such as the VGA and audio cables are provided.    View the FAQ about What type of equipment is available in the Smart Classroom to learn more about Basic and Advanced Smart Classrooms.

What do I need to do before my first use of a Smart Classroom?

If you will be teaching in a Smart Classroom we would recommend that you visit the Classrooms Services Website to obtain training manuals, instruction cards and other useful information to help you learn about the classroom you will be teaching in and how to operate the technology available in that classroom.  You may also wish to visit the Learning Space Inventory link for information on the equipment in the room that you will be teaching in.

What type of cables do I need to connect my Mac laptop to the projector?

In order to connect your Mac Laptop to the projector you will need to purchase (if it didn't come with your Mac Laptop already) an Apple DVI to VGA Display Adapter cable and a standard VGA (Video Graphics Array) connector cable. The Apple DVI to VGA Display Adapter cable would connect from your Mac laptop to the standard VGA cable, which would connect to the smart panel. You can purchase an Apple DVI to VGA Display Adapter cable from the Hornet Bookstore or from any electronics store. Review the connections and expansions for your particular Mac laptop to determine the type of adapter cable you will need by visiting the MacBook Pro website.

Are the Smart Classrooms equipped with a computer?

The Advanced Smart Classrooms are equipped with a Windows based instructor station.  Please see the Learning Space Inventory link to view the equipment in the Classroom where you will be teaching.

How do I request to have a classroom upgraded?

In order to request for a classroom to be upgraded contact the IRT Service Desk at 278-7337.

How do I reserve a Smart Classroom?

Smart Classrooms may be reserved by the semester for classes that utilize technology as an integral part of teaching/learning. Requests for semester room assignment are made to the academic department secretary at the time a class is being scheduled. If a full semester reservation is not necessary, as needed reservations can be requested through the Office of Space Management.

Help! Everything worked just great during my training session and during the first few weeks – now I can’t get it to work!

First and foremost – don't panic! Step back, take a few minutes, and check the following:

• Are all controls in the correct position?
• Is all of the equipment plugged in?
• Is the correct cable connected from the laptop to the video/data input?
• Is the video/data projector on the correct input/source?

If everything is correctly connected, or you continue experiencing problems, then use the classroom phone to contact the IRT Service Desk at ext. 87337 and ask for Classroom Services Assistance.

Who do I contact for help with the Smart Classroom?

Help is only a telephone call away. From the phone in the classroom contact the IRT Service Desk by dialing x87337 for assistance. Assistance is available: Monday - Thursday 7am - 7pm and Friday 7am – 5pm.