- Since 1845, Calvert Hall College High School in Baltimore has offered a Lasallian educational community for young men of diverse backgrounds. As a private college preparatory school, Calvert Hall places emphasis on both teaching and learning. In 1989, it became the first school in its area to be twice named an "Exemplary School" by the United States Department of Education.
- Commitment to student achievement and faculty professional development has remained an essential component of Calvert Hall's ongoing success. "In an increasingly hi-tech world, this commitment means paying attention to existing and emerging technologies that have the power to enhance classroom learning environments," said Veronica "Ronnie" Phillips, academic technology director for the school.
Productivity in the classroom necessitates reliability of equipment, functionality for unique situations and customization, as well as standardization, ease of use, quality technical support and timeliness of service. Phillips believes AMX® products have helped Calvert Hall achieve these goals.
Greater Need for Control
- Calvert Hall's investment in AMX control systems has the capability to advance campus-wide technology innovation. According to Phillips, the reasoning behind this investment prioritizes the "value of time" for everyone concerned with the educational process.
- "Many teachers were actively involved with technology long before we implemented the AMX control system. Audiovisual carts with multimedia capabilities were available to our 97-member faculty," Phillips noted. However, as teachers and students were using more technology, technical support and upkeep on the equipment was taking its toll on the small technology staff. In addition to Phillips, the 1,200-student school has one full-time network administrator and a computer support technician.
Adopting AMX
- As part of a pilot program, two large lecture halls, each able to accommodate 300 students, received an AMX 7" Modero® Widescreen Touch Panel (NXD-CV7). "We wanted to leverage technology in a way that enabled teachers to concentrate on teaching. We also wanted teachers to be confident that the system was reliable," Phillips explained. With a thirty-three acre campus and multiple buildings, the central management and remote access features of the AMX control systems were significantly important.
- As funds become available, the school is installing AMX control systems in individual classrooms. For consistency, Phillips and her technology team, together with Tom Longest of Timonium, Md.-based audio/video (A/V) consultation and integration firm Vision AV, standardized on two AMX touch panels the NXD-CV7 and the 8.4" Modero ViewPoint (MVP-8400). "The wireless capability of the MVP-8400 allows teachers in large-capacity settings to move about the room while using the device," said Phillips.
-
The NXD-CV7 is used in 25-30 student classrooms where teachers can turn on the lights and manually pull down projection screens. The Modero Touch Panel is discreetly installed at the lectern, and teachers can use a wireless mouse and keyboard to navigate the control system. "We were able to save money by keeping the touch panel stationary," explained Phillips. "Using the AMX control system provides universality of function.
Teachers can move from room to room and know that they will have the tools they need available to them. We looked at other possibilities, but the AMX solution complemented our needs."
Added Benefits
- School administrators have also discovered that the AMX system's reporting features, such as lamp life and hours used, are helping them maximize their technology investment. "If we see that a system is not being used to its fullest potential, we can move the AMX control system to another classroom," said Phillips. "It's very simple – just like moving a computer from one room to another."
Moving forward, Phillips and her team continue to receive requests from teachers and department chairs for more AMX control systems across campus. Following with their technology plan, the school will continue to make infrastructure investments, including adding more AMX control systems
campus wide.
