AVIXA, Fairfax, Virginia, USA

AVIXA® is the international trade association representing the audio-visual industry, and the producer of InfoComm tradeshows worldwide. Established in 1939, its members include manufacturers, systems integrators, dealers and distributors, consultants, programmers, live events companies, technology managers, content producers, and multimedia professionals from more than 80 countries. AVIXA is a hub for professional collaboration, information, and community, and it is the leading resource for AV standards, certification, training, market intelligence and thought leadership.

Chuck Espinoza CTS-D,CTS-I,CQT,PMP,ISF-C,DMC-E,EAVA, ECA is one of the most recognizable educators working in the AV industry today. As Lead Instructor at AVIXA, Espinoza delivers a diverse range of technical training courses, providing students with essential professional qualifications and expertise, enabling them to flourish within the audio-visual industry. Courses offered include CTS preparation, installation, design, and project management certification. Espinoza often provides manufacturer training classes, and he also delivers higher education technology training for AV industry organizations such as SCHOMS (Standing Conference for Heads of Media Services) and CCUMC (Consortium of College and University Media Centers).  
 

Of key importance when teaching both in-person and online classes, is the question of how to ensure a high-quality learning experience for students regardless of their location, and how to include physical presentation content into training sessions. PowerPoint slides and other digital documentation are easily used for both in-classroom and online sessions, but with a requirement also to display physical materials on-screen,  Espinoza explained that he has been using WolfVision VZ-3neo document cameras / Visualizers for many years, finding them indispensable for helping to incorporate ‘live’ content into classes.

“They’re easy to use, they deliver crisp, high quality on-screen images, and they’re tough enough for me to take with me when I’m on the road.”
When mathematical equations need to be presented, rather than simply trying to explain verbally, Espinoza writes out the equation on a piece of paper under the Visualizer camera, whilst talking through it at the same time. Most often he also uses the Visualizer to show how to use the complex electronic calculator, which is easily accomplished by placing the device directly under the Visualizer camera and demonstrating it ‘live’ to the audience. 

Combining visual and aural content together when teaching helps to improve understanding and increase retention rates, and is ideal for both in-classroom and online sessions.
Thanks to its UVC support, all Visualizer models have plug-and-play connectivity with laptops, enabling them to show up as an additional camera source when web conferencing with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or other wireless conferencing platforms.