The Maxwell School's newly renovated Global Collaboratory is a key component of Maxwell's facilities, serving as the home for technology that links Maxwell to other parts of the world and providing a sophisticated venue for presentations, simulations, and advanced uses of collaborative technology.

This is the first significant update to the Collaboratory since its inception in 1994. The renovation plan has been designed to integrate lessons learned in the first years of its use, as well as to take advantage of recent advances in technology. The integration of new technologies will add a variety of new capabilities and increase the flexibility of the space to promote uses beyond presentations and videoconferences.

Physical organization and comfort of the space

An aisle has been added in the center of the first three rows to improve audience/presenter contact and accessibility. The air conditioning system has been redesigned to be much quieter.

Global Collaboratory Reservation Form

Lighting

The room has been opened up and lightened visually and the lighting was enhanced. This makes the room more comfortable and encourages more engagement with presenters and remote sites.

Infrastructure

Several improvements have been made including a new videoconferencing system, improved support for multiple site videoconferences and streaming, support for new video transmission standards, and upgrades in the video and audio technology supporting the Collaboratory.

 

New Technology

• Screens
  Two rear projection screens have been added at the front of the room for a total of three. This will allow presenters to utilize multiple computers, remote video links, or any combination of these and to display up to three of these simultaneously.
• All-direction display
  The rear and side walls provide a display of what the audience is seeing, so that presenters no longer have to turn around to look at the screen.
• Cameras
   Two cameras are recessed in the front wall to reduce their prominence and enhance eye contact.
• Audio
  The audio system has been redesigned to improve audio quality to remote sites and ensure that audience members can hear each other across the room. Equipment to support limited simultaneous translation was added.

Room specifications:

• Is NOT Part of the Registrar’s Pool
• Has Lectern/Podium
• Has Projection Screen
• Has Teaching Cart
• Has VCR
• Has PC
• Has Video Proj. 
• Has DocCam
• Has Laptop Conn.    
• Has Sound System
• Has Light Controls
• Has Wireless Mic
• Has CATV Connection
• Has Teleconference