With technology advancing at breakneck speed, the education sector too is reinventing itself by introducing the latest technological innovations in classrooms. We take a look at how broadcast technology can be integrated within an academic setup Sony Professional hosted its first event for the academic sector in Dubai last month. The event targeted the education […]
With technology advancing at breakneck speed, the education sector too is reinventing itself by introducing the latest technological innovations in classrooms. We take a look at how broadcast technology can be integrated within an academic setup
Sony Professional hosted its first event for the academic sector in Dubai last month. The event targeted the education sector, showcasing AV solutions catering especially to schools and universities. A range of products showcasing audio visual, studio, and security solutions were demonstrated at the two-day event, which brought together both end-users and business partners.
The latest products from Sony including its new VPL-SW525C interactive projector and Anycast Touch were the highlights of the show.
Sony, along with its partners, presented a complete AV setup for an educational institute. A multi-purpose auditorium, a studio, two networked multimedia classrooms and a security room were set up for the attendees to have a firsthand feel of the products and how they are integrated within an academic framework.
The systems integration for the event was undertaken by Al Reyami Technologies while the interiors and furnishings were provided by Al Reyami Interiors for the auditorium fit out. The design and build of the setup took two days to complete.
The studio was equipped with Sony Professional cameras from regional distributor UBMS.
Sonys security partner Al Bohra Security was in charge of the secuirty equipment that was showcased.
This event presents the synergy between education and technology and how the education sector stands to gain from the latest innovations in broadcast technology.
It is not a mere product display; we have presented an entire setup to the visitors to get a look and feel of the systems.
The equipment demonstrated here caters to the specific AV requirements of educational campuses such as schools and universities, as well as media schools. We are presenting what a mass media campus would require or a school with an auditorium would need. A mass media room and studio in a mass communication or film school is typically kitted out with these products.
There is a boom in the education sector these days, with more emphasis on technology-aided learning and thats where our solutions come in.
Children these days are exposed to technology, and the way forward is to make their classrooms equipped with the latest tools.
In the last decade, the inclusion of digital technology has had a profound influence on education, becoming the newfound reality in many countries. These technologies are not only more efficient but also environmentally friendlier.
The short-throw projectors fit the bill for a classroom setup because of several unique features. These projectors are interactive, which makes it an all-in-one solution. It can project on any surface and not necessarily on a ceramic screen, and it has no blinding light.
Anycast Touch is an affordable, portable mixer, suitable for school auditoriums. It works well for a small-to-medium-sized auditorium and can integrate up to six cameras and five AV mixers. Also on display are our surveillance and security cameras that offer very good image quality and output.
The idea is to display various products that fit into different places on a campus and add value to the experience of teaching and learning. We have undertaken large installations in Kuwait where interactive projectors and several other solutions are being used very effectively by teachers. Sony has recently signed a deal with Sunrise schools in Abu Dhabi to provide AV solutions for their campuses.
Sunil Krishnani, Head of Business Development MEA, Sony Professional Solutions
Almoe Audio Visual has a very strong presence in the education sector with our solutions installed in government institutes, major schools, and ministries to name a few. Our clients include the likes of ADEC, Minstry of Education, Gems, and many others.
The latest technology being demonstrated here can be implemented in classrooms to aid teaching and learning. Considering the way technology is surging ahead, these solutions would be implemented in mainstream education sooner than we think.
Interactive teaching techniques are becoming more widespread and are gaining popularity. With these solutions becoming more affordable, they will be adopted more easily by institutes.
Indranil Bandyopadhyay, General Manager, Almoe Digital Solutions
Al Reyami Technologies and Interiors was responsible for integrating the systems for the event as well as the design and build of the studio and the auditorium. The auditorium was equipped with two Sony projectors, IP cameras on the ceiling, and a camcorder which were controlled by Anycast Touch.
This is the first time that I am attending an event that addresses a specific vertical. The solutions designed and presented here cater to the education sector in particular and address their specific requirements.
Its a joint effort to showcase what we can do and whats there on offer in terms of technology to make learning a more fulfilling esperience for todays children.
Sajit P. Nair, General Manager, Al Reyami Technologies
We are looking at building our presence in the education sector further, considering the tremendous potential that it offers these days. Education is becoming more technology driven with innovations directed specially to cater to the needs of classrooms. In partnership with Sony, UBMS provides turnkey solutions to build and install professional broadcast solutions for equipping educational institutes.
We have brought in our professional cinematographic equipment to showcase its relevance in high-speed footage, news gathering, videography segments, focusing on media schools and film institutes.
Peter Kyriakos, Head of Marketing at UBMS
With great visuals, photos, sharp images and interactive TVs students will interact more efficiently with the class and course materials. It guarantees a better and more efficient learning technique and results.
The interactive projectors and the 4K TVs will be very well received by the teachning community. They can benefit students by providing educational programmes with sharp images and bright colours.
The greatest challenge in deploying new technology in schools is training the teachers. The teachers require extensive, practical training on not only understanding the technology at hand but also on how to operate the equipment and make the best use of it.
We try to renovate facilities every year but unfortunately, many educational institutions have not invested in technologies we deem to be the best quality, especially in libraries, due to financial constriants.
Baha Al Mahidi Library Supervisor, Ministry of Education, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
I have used interactive boards in the past. The projectors being demonstrated here offer a complete solution bundled into one. The interactive projector is highly recommended for schools as the blinding light is avoided in this case. There is no shadow and there are little chances of it getting damaged as against a ceramic screen. Moreover, these solutions are simple and easy to use.
Most of the teachers would balk at the idea of learning how to use a new technology. Simple, user-friendly tools are what we need and the setup here scores well on that front.
Raad Askour, Senior Sales Consultant and Trainer, Almoe Digital Solutions
I found the auditorium, kitted with the Anycast Touch, quite interesting. It is especially suited for field work and journalism. Students can use these if they want to cover events, sporting events, conferences. Also beneficial are some of the new cameras, especially the cinema cameras, for the Digital Production Story Telling students.
By keeping up with new technologies, students will always be updated and on track with what is available in the market. Presently, we have a global classroom donated by Cisco that we use to do lectures across the world and not just in Dubai.
We could also be looking at a few technologies that can help us on a smaller scale for other bachelor degree programmes such as the interactive projectors and the interactive IP classrooms.
The major challenge is the cost of equipment and training the staff to use them more effectively. If we deploy new technologies, there will be a few changes and it is important to get the faculty and staff updated with these new technologies, not just the students.
Marwan Manaja, American University of Dubai, Operations Manager, Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Communications
