Tech Boost: Major AV Upgrades Enhance Teaching & Learning

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 09:19:20 -0500
av, desktop, renovation, sherman, tech, updates

This past summer and early fall, the DoIT Infrastructure teams rolled out significant technology upgrades across campus, directly impacting the quality and consistency of your classroom experience. These projects ensure our most-used spaces are equipped with modern, reliable, and accessible tools for everyone.

Classroom Technology Refreshed

DoIT's Audiovisual Services and Desktop Support teams have successfully completed a comprehensive technology refresh in several high-traffic, Registrar-controlled classrooms. These include:

Information Technology and Engineering (ITE) 241

Engineering (ENGR) 022, 104/104A, GAIM Lab 005

Physics (PHYS) 201

Math and Psychology (MP) 008, 012, 102, and 105

Engineering 027 Lecture Hall

In the DoIT Computer Lab 104/104A, the Desktop Support team installed 49 new Dell All-in-One computers with the latest instructional software. In the CoEIT GAIM Lab, ENGR 005, the Desktop Support team worked with Computer Science faculty to redesign the lab to provide both BYOD (bring your own device) and new Dell workstations to enhance the student instructional experience.

Explore Engineering 027 Lecture Hall in the video below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c_I73-4JaM

These upgrades do more than just replace aging equipment. The new systems immediately support lecture capture technology and significantly improve accessibility, ensuring that classroom content is easier for every student to access.

Best of all, every room now features the familiar campus standard AV control interface. This means whether you're a professor teaching in PHYS 201 or a student presenting in MP 105, the technology will be reliable, intuitive, and consistent.

Beyond these central spaces, AV Services also worked with departments across CAHSS, CNMS, COEIT, and several administrative units to refresh their departmental classroom and conference room systems.

Several departments and offices relocated to the renovated Sherman Hall in the early Fall with the support of DoIT's AV Services, Desktop Support, and Network Engineering Teams. They assisted Academic Engagement and Transition Programs, Individualized Study Program, Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Department of Emergency and Disaster Health Systems, Language Literacy and Culture Doctoral Program, Naval Science Lab, Sherman Scholars, and the Education Department with their office moves. In addition, the Desktop Support and Network Engineering teams moved eight other departments in late summer in order to support the second phase of the Sherman Hall renewal.

Collaborative efforts were made to ensure new technology was documented in our inventory process, and old equipment was properly disposed of and documented.

Sherman Hall Renovation: Building a Modern Hub

DoIT is a critical partner in Phase I of the multi-year Sherman Hall renovation, a project led by Facilities Management that will transform one of UMBC's core academic buildings. This renovation is creating a modern, technology-enabled learning hub at the center of campus.

Our teams defined the necessary technology standards, coordinated infrastructure, and oversaw the installation of new network, audiovisual, and other essential systems. Throughout departmental moves to temporary spaces, teams from Audiovisual Services, Client Services, Network Engineering, and Telecommunications ensured that technology remained fully operational.

Working closely with the Classroom Committee, CAHSS, and other colleges, the AV team designed classrooms, conference rooms, and specialized spaces to meet the current and future instructional needs of our faculty and students.

Phase I will conclude in fall 2025, with Phase II following. Once complete, Sherman Hall will feature new, cutting-edge classrooms, offices, and student gathering areas that will significantly enhance the academic experience at UMBC.

Learn more about the Sherman Hall Phase 1 completion on the "Sherman Hall's Phase 1 renovation is complete, creating space for creative collaboration" post.

Full Evaluation for All Classrooms

A complete campus classroom and lecture hall evaluation has been completed to maintain and care for existing campus instructional systems. This evaluation included:

Full system operation check

Firmware and software updates

Projector maintenance and lamp changes

Replacement of failed components

Full inventory check

Verify remote system status monitoring

This process allows our team to detect issues early and maximize the system process. By catching issues early and often, the campus can ensure the classroom and lecture halls are ready for use when faculty and students arrive, avoiding delays and frustrations. A thorough review of the systems also reduces the response times of technicians because the systems are up-to-date, making the diagnostic process quicker.

Great job to our DoIT Infrastructure teams!