University of Nevada Incorporates TeamConnect Ceiling 2 in their Classrooms RebelFlex

As a central element of its innovative audiovisual solution, the University of Nevada has included microphones Sennheiser CBT2 in 58 multipurpose classrooms.

The University of Nevada (Las Vegas – UNLV) is a world-renowned research teaching centre that prides itself on the diversity and competitiveness of its academic programmes in hospitality, law and other disciplines. After successful completion of a pilot phase, you have deployed the solution Sennheiser TeamConnect Ceiling 2 (TCC2) in 58 multipurpose classrooms, what it calls RebelFlex.

During COVID-19, the centre had to face a number of technical challenges. By receiving international students and in the face of the persistent uncertainty of how the pandemic would affect face-to-face learning, made the decision to enable classrooms for hybrid teaching, so that students could attend both in person and remotely. The new solution consisted of several Sennheiser TeamConnect Ceiling microphones 2, brand that distributes Magnetron, that were installed in 58 campus multipurpose classrooms.

The rector needed an ambitious and bold plan that would help faculty and students navigate a complex learning environment., while adding value to the University in the long run.

The Senior IT and Av Systems Specialist Frank Alaimo and the specialist in classroom control systems Michael Theil brought together the University's IT team and developed a plan.

"It was what I call the Swiss army knife of the classrooms., because it's a typical class, but to which we add the ability to record presentations and hold web conferences", explains Alaimo. "Now the room is equipped for synchronous and asynchronous interaction, to record sessions, to teach in person".

The administration demanded that each room be a 'faithful copy' of the others in terms of technical equipment.. "The rooms could have different sizes and furniture, but for us it was important that they offered the same functionality", adds Alaimo. "One of the things we wanted to guarantee to our teachers was that, when they move from one building to another, the touch panel was exactly the same and that they could record the classes with the highest audiovisual quality".

The new hybrid classroom, affectionately nicknamed RebelFlex, in honor of the mascot of the University, was the result of natural evolution.

"We already had the system SpeechLine Digital Wireless of Sennheiser and software Control Cockpit and added the TCC2 microphone as part of our global web conferencing solution.", explains Alaimo. "Now the teacher has a microphone at the lectern and if he decides to teach his subject while moving around the room, the CBT2 system can capture both students and teachers".

TCC2's patented beamforming technology is especially useful in classrooms where learners are actively involved.

"Microphones pick up voices quickly, they can focus on the student who is speaking and then jump from one speaker to another, if necessary", says Theil. "This also simplifies life for the IT team., since we do not have to make adjustments in the microphones, which saves us a lot of time".

The first RebelFlex was implemented in the UNLV faculty and, subsequently, the IT team provided recommendations on how to migrate new and existing classrooms to a more modern HighFlex environment.

"At the beginning, the concept was somewhat overwhelming for teachers, So, as part of the RebelFlex pilot program, we included an advisor in each classroom to support teachers to remain focused on their syllabus during the initial implementation.", comments Alaimo.

The initial deployment was carried out in 58 Classrooms. "We selected eight classrooms on campus that already had a camera and a recording device. Pasnapto and we converted them into RebelFlex classrooms. The other 50 Classrooms are brand new, with equipment including Sennheiser's TCC2 microphones".

RebelFlex classrooms vary in size, since 25 until 179 seats, and larger rooms have two TCC2 units. In addition to other classrooms of this type that are in the planning phase, Alaimo and his team are studying the possibility of converting an auditorium on the campus that is in full renovation. "The auditorium already has all the recording functions, So, if the administration decides to go ahead, we will be ready to deploy TCC2 easily.", says Alaimo.

Forecasting and performance

In an unpredictable world, new RebelFlex classrooms offer predictability and ensure a common experience for teachers and also for students.

"The most important thing is to collect the message transmitted from the microphone and the content of the slides", says Alaimo. "CBT2 doesn't just help capture the paper., it also allows students to feel more integrated into the classroom.".

Theil agrees with this statement.: "We wanted to make the follow-up of the class similar for both students who are physically in the classroom and those who participate remotely.. Our system has been designed so that students at home have the same opportunities as those who are in person on campus.".

TCC2's network compatibility greatly facilitated installation. "Using Dante with TCC2 makes things much easier., because everything appears as a network device", comments Theil. "The ability to route all devices with a simple mouse click simplifies everything, so we can monitor the performance through Control Cockpit from the same office. In addition, with Dante connectivity, I can combine the conferencing features of two or more rooms quickly if needed".

With Sennheiser Control Cockpit software, the IT team can also monitor aspects such as battery level, silence and other functions. "Remote monitoring through Control Cockpit gives us the assurance that when someone enters the room there will be no problems., because we know that everything will work as it should", adds Theil.

Theil also appreciates the exclusion zones feature offered by TCC2, as each room presents its own noise problems. "If there is an air conditioning system nearby, we can adjust the pickup pattern so that it stops picking up the noise it generates".

Once the exclusion zones have been defined, Theil only has to place a standard audio processor. "I don't have time to create a custom DSP program for each room and that's something I really appreciate about this product., because it works wonders right out of the box".

Alaimo adds that the deployment of RebelFlex, including Sennheiser's TCC2 solution, has established a new benchmark for the functionality of the University's classrooms and is confident that the path taken will be maintained: "We have projects of all types and sizes., but we believe that in the future all classrooms will be RebelFlex classrooms".

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