Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh has established a worldwide reputation for excellence in teaching and research. It is widely regarded as one of the leading UK universities for industry and business, and it is well-known for providing stimulating, supportive environments where both staff and students can excel. The Information Services directorate plays a vital role here, providing AV support to staff and students – and ensuring that the most effective learning technologies are available for use in classrooms.
Key factors in the selection of WolfVision Visualizer solutions for use in lecture theatres, and other learning environments throughout the university, include their outstanding image quality, ease of use, durability, and reliability. Also of special importance to Heriot-Watt is the ability of the most recently installed VZ-9.4F systems to operate as a central hub for smaller AV classroom solutions. Together with a projector, a PC, and a basic control panel, the VZ-9.4F with its multiple HDMI inputs, built-in microphone, and HD camera, is utilised as a cost-effective stand-alone multimedia imaging solution that enables users to switch easily between ‘live’ object display, and presentation of a wide range of other multimedia material.
Heriot-Watt University also uses VZ-9.4F Systems for content capture, mainly for recording short academic video podcasts. A key consideration in system selection was also the portability of the VZ-9.4F, enabling its usage away from lecture theatre locations – for example by lecturers who wish to make high quality recordings in a more relaxed environment, not necessarily ‘live’ in front of a class.
I do believe that WolfVision Visualizer Systems add real pedagogic value, and they have the flexibility to perform equally well, whether installed as a central component of a classroom AV solution, or as a highly portable, all-in-one stand-alone system.
Douglas Marsland Head of Audiovisual Services - Heriot-Watt UniversityIn lecture theatres where difficult mathematical and scientific concepts are explained, two VZ-9.4F Visualizer systems are installed side by side. Using a compositor, the two ‘live’ Visualizer images of handwritten material are processed and then displayed side by side on a single monitor. This enables simultaneous on-screen display of theorems, proofs and derivations, etc., allowing the clearest possible explanations of complex information to be presented to students. “The ability of WolfVision systems to handle multimedia presentation content and their outstanding ease of use means that these Visualizer systems have become an indispensable part of our university audiovisual infrastructure.” said Douglas Marsland, Head of Audiovisual Services at Heriot-Watt University.
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