Summer Fun
Steve Gibbs Jr.
School is out. It is the time of the year when we head to the lake or beach and enjoy some days away to forget about all the stress we went through this last year. It is also time to pat ourselves on the back for the good job we did to get everyone on our campus through this tough year. We look forward, though, now to what is next. We start getting back to all the projects that COVID interrupted or needs that were created by the pandemic.
On our campus, we are envisioning what school will be like in the fall when students come back. What will be different? What will be the same? What can we do with AV to help faculty teach better and allow students to learn in meaningful ways? We don’t have big looming projects yet but we are doing some of the detailed work of documentation and inventory. Firmware is being updated and systems are being tested to make sure they work as intended. Touch panels are being updated to be more intuitive. Small things like adding second monitors at the podium to some of our larger spaces to allow for better use with managing a class. Things like installing USB-C as an option as well as HDMI are also now being explored where possible. This allows folks to hook right up to their device without the need for an adapter. Training also continues to be a big part of the job during the summer. Helping folks as they get ready for another year to review what they want to start doing that will help them later on. We are taking what we already have and trying to make it work for us in a better way!
I am anxious to see what emerges for how people teach now that we have lived through this crazy year. We know there will be a lot less hybrid at least on our campus but will there still be some? Now that Zoom is a known commodity the question is how will it be used? Hopefully, we can allow these new options to give us visions that allow students to join in different ways. Maybe it won’t be out of necessity anymore but it can be out of the desire to give an option so that students who otherwise could not join the community. Although we do want to make sure these options don’t get taken advantage of since if a person can be in a class that will probably be the best fit but instead we want to allow for those that would not be able to participate to have a way to join. I will be listening closely as these conversations happen so that we can navigate through what is possible. This summer provides more time to think about these sorts of opportunities and choices instead of going around with what felt like in a daze last summer.
Planning is also happening with regards to finishing up upgrading all of the analog-only rooms later this year and working on removing the last of our SMART Boards once the money is approved. Moving to laser projectors has been a big push as well as we work on getting all of our lamp-based models replaced. This change has felt great and should be a better experience but also less maintenance for our group. We have also had a chance to figure out what rooms are getting used the most so that we can focus on improving these ones first and foremost and making sure they are stable and ready to go. Tweaks to some of our auditoriums and gym space are also in the works. Since so much new equipment was installed last summer these months now allow us to get to know these devices even better and improve our workflows. Reimagination continues to happen for what outdoor events will look like this year. What do we need to keep providing and what will fade away because most events will be back inside come fall?
In closing, exciting times await us I believe. The small changes matter is what I am focusing on this summer. Your upgrades this cycle might not be flashy and shiny but do the things that will help you in the long run. Do the things that you don’t normally have time to do but will save you time later on as you support these rooms during the year. We have shown that we are capable of helping our institutions get through this season of upheaval so now we have the chance of even being more of a part of what happens. We have been dubbed the experts for better or worse so let’s wear this title like a badge of honor. This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes that come from the Spider-Man comic: “With great power comes great responsibility.” Let’s take these words to heart as we continue our important work. Whether you are doing small changes or still amid major install work please take a chance to breathe and enjoy those around you. Count your blessings because I think after this year we are well aware of them!
Steve gibbs jr
Stephen Gibbs, Jr. is a Senior Educational Technology Engineer at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA. He enjoys spending time with his three young kids and interests outside of AV include disc golf and soccer.