While spurring collaboration might be a challenge in the work place, it’s an unstoppable force among university students. It’s just a matter of providing the right technology platform. At Washington State University, the right solution for five collaboration spaces turned out to be FSR HuddleVu systems.
The systems were installed within the school’s library on its Tri-Cities Campus in Richland, WA, in a space created for students and faculty to work on projects together, collaborate with others outside of their majors, conduct study groups and host small classes, according to an FSR press release.
Working within a tight timeframe, the school’s IT department, headed by director Aaron Brumbaugh, sought a solution that could be installed swiftly and utilized with little or no training, all before the fall semester.
Other requirements included easy-to-program equipment and the ability to make changes quickly.
Brumbaugh discovered FSR’s complete range of HuddleVU collaborative products and chose a combination of systems.
FSR HuddleVU systems allow for multiple users to share and view their laptops, tablets, and smart phone screens on a main display.
FSR HuddleVU systems allow for multiple users to share and view their laptops, tablets, and smart phone screens on a main display. Configurations include single monitor systems that seat up to seven, and the “Dugout” with two viewing levels and one or two large monitor screens that accommodate 12.
Brumbaugh and his team installed two Dugout models in the Washington State University library’s Student Success Center, and single monitor HuddleVU solutions in an adjacent area. According to the press release, WSU’s IT and facilities staffs worked together to accomplish a straightforward installation that took approximately one week from the time the units were delivered to the time they were put into use.
All components and instructions were included for the team to easily assemble all systems, install and wire the electronics, and program FSR’s FLEX -LT self-contained control system for ease-of-operation.
Implementing a Solution
“Within 5 minutes of our first demo to a group of staff and faculty, that same group had a meeting using the system,” Brumbaugh.
“Since then, the HuddleVUs have been used every day that the space is open, including spring break. We have had groups of students using them to study, watch recorded lectures, and eat lunch while watching YouTube or a movie from their laptops. Faculty members have held breakout sessions, study groups, and even held small classes. The staff has used them for small meetings.”
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Brumbaugh adds that the systems “are great — more than I expected. From a ‘programming of the touch panel’ standpoint, they are much more elaborate than I’d expected.”
He explains that Washington State University was trying to find a collaboration station that didn’t require special instructions for the end users. His team found that with the HuddleVU units. The students, staff and faculty simply walk up, open the FLEX cover and use the systems.
“After the first day, the units were operational and my Integrated Academic Technology department has not had a single call asking for help,” says Brumbaugh. “To me, that equates to a very successful project.”
According to Brumbaugh, WSU would like to see more of the collaboration units installed around campus, and he’s been exploring areas that could accommodate single monitor HuddleVU stations.
FSR has a full case study on the project here.
