As we plan for Fall 2021, the IT Division, in collaboration with Project Management & Facilities Services, has been preparing on-campus classrooms for the return of face-to-face instruction by enhancing learning spaces with “Connected Classroom” technology. Connected Classrooms enable instructors to record and stream their class sessions as well as make them available to students via the password-protected learning management system (Canvas).

"Many SDSU faculty members are eager to teach in-person again. To provide our faculty with more flexible options and to facilitate making connections with and among their students, we are excited to share that about 75% of SDSU’s centrally-scheduled, general assignment classrooms will have the ability to record and stream when the fall semester begins,” said SDSU Provost Salvador Hector Ochoa.

Additionally, the recording and streaming capabilities provide greater equity to at-risk students through synchronous streaming as well as asynchronous capture of course content.

Some of the design considerations the learning spaces team took into account in creating these spaces include minimizing touch points while operating the technology, ease of use, and ensuring a uniform design across classrooms. As of April 2021, 57% of SDSU’s general assignment classrooms are equipped with Connected Classroom technology. By Fall 2021, after further enhancements and room upgrades, this number will increase to 75%.

"By creating an environment where students will have instructors who are recording their class sessions, students can be more in the moment, worrying less about taking notes, and more about engaging in the discussion,” said James Frazee, Chief Academic Technology Officer and Associate Vice President for Learning Technologies and Environments.

A current list, and more information about SDSU Connected Classrooms and upcoming training for faculty can be found here: https://its.sdsu.edu/learning-spaces/connected-classrooms/.