Teaching spaces

This guide explains how to use the Audio Visual (AV) and IT equipment installed throughout teaching rooms at Glasgow Caledonian University. It is designed to help you set up quickly, teach confidently, and solve common issues on the spot. If you are having issues, you can always contact the GCU Service Desk.

Each teaching space is configured in a similar way (with a few exceptions) and contains the following equipment.

Lectern - a tall, narrow stand used for lecturing. A PC is contained within
Projector - optical device that displays images, videos, or data onto a screen or wall
Screen - typically made of vinyl or fabric—designed to display images from a projector
Speakers – used to provide audio from the lectern PC or laptop
Monitor - output device that displays visual data
Lectern PC - integrated, high-specification computer built into a podium

You can teach in these spaces either by using the lectern PC or by connecting a laptop to the projector using a HDMI cable.

Note : Room speakers run through the projector. The projector must be powered on for audio to play.

Lectern Layout

Image shows a lectern set up with the following bits of equipment highlighted: HDMI laptop connection cable, control unit, PC monitor with webcam and microphone, mouse and keyboard.

The keyboard, mouse and monitor allow you to control the lectern PC while the HDMI allows you to connect your laptop to the projector.

Image shows a HDMI to USB-c connector cable and also a HDMI connection cable.

If your laptop does not have HDMI connection, you can use the HDMI to USB-C dongle attached to connect the laptop to the projector.

Laptop Connections

Connect your laptop to the projector using the HDMI cable supplied on the lectern.

Select the source as “laptop or HDMI2” on the control unit and check that your laptop is set to duplicate. This is usually switched on by pressing the Windows +P keys on your laptop

Control Unit Functionality

Image shows a lectern panel with the following buttons highlighted: Projoector on/off button, PC button, Laptop/HDMI button and the rotary volume control dial.

Use the projector buttons on the panel to turn off/on the projector and use the PC/HDMI buttons depending on whether you are using the lectern PC or connecting your laptop to the projector using HDMI.

Please note that when the ON or OFF buttons are pressed it will flash for a couple of minutes as the command is processed. Please allow the button to stop flashing before proceeding.

If lights are flashing on volume control push the dial to unmute the panel.

If panel is unresponsive turn off lectern at the wall wait 20 seconds, then turn back on.