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Help Desk Knowledge Base

Resources to Borrow

The CTE has a variety of tools that you are encouraged to borrow.  Just email, call, or stop by the CTE to sign out any of these devices.  If you know ahead of time that you are going to need one of these devices, you are welcome to put in a reservation. 

Splashtop iPad

  • Splashtop allows you to remotely access and control a computer from a mobile device.
  • You can borrow iPads with Splashtop installed to use in classrooms to control the instructor's workstation. 
    This allows you to move around the classroom while still using the instructor's workstation to display content. 
  • Splashtop provides markup tools which make it a good choice for teaching lessons including math, graphs, or diagrams you would want to display and annotate. 
  • Not being tied to the instructor's workstation provides greater opportunity for interaction with students. 
    You can even give the iPad to a student to use to work out a problem, for example. 

Gimbal

  • A gimbal is a handheld device used to stabilize video taken with a device such as a cell phone
  • The gimbal can be useful for creating videos where you are moving around 
    • Take your online students on a virtual field trip
    • Record a demonstration where you need to move around

Swivl

  • The Swivl is a robotic iPad mount which swivels the iPad to follow a tracker.
    By putting the tracker around your neck, you can move around without having to be concerned about walking out of frame.
  • The tracker includes a microphone resulting in high quality audio.
  • Swivl files can be downloaded as MP4 files or exported directly to YouTube.
  • The Swivl can be useful for:
    • recording students when performing competencies (provides the instructor with a video that can be used for grading and can be reviewed with the student to point out where they are doing well and where improvement is needed)
    • creating videos where you need to be moving around
    • streaming live classes

Webcam/Tripod

  • The webcam is a higher quality than those normally provided to faculty. 
    It includes dual microphones for picking up sound in a larger area and it can be mounted on a tripod
  • The webcam/tripod can be useful for:
    • Teams sessions where you would like to include more than just you in the video - invite your online students to hear a speaker in one of your on ground sections 
    • including remote attendees in a meeting via Collaborate 

Camcorder

  • The camcorder can be used to record videos. 
  • It includes an external microphone for better sound quality.
  • A tripod can also be borrowed or use the camcorder as a handheld device. 
  • Videos are recorded to an SD card as MP4 files which can be uploaded to YouTube.

One Button Studio

Central Penn’s One Button studio makes creating videos easy.  The studio is turned on by inserting a flash drive into the All-In-One Studio port.  Press a button to start recording, then press again to end.  Your video is written to your flash drive in MP4 format.  The video can then be uploaded to your YouTube account for sharing with students.

You have the option of bringing a PowerPoint presentation with you to project on the back wall of the studio.  The studio can be used to create green screen videos if you want to get creative and are interested in learning a bit about video editing. 

We also have a teleprompter (iPad Pro running the iCue app) in the studio.  This can be used for an entire script or outline/notes.  Just create a text document for uploading to the teleprompter app.

Central Penn’s One Button studio is located in Milano 15 on the Summerdale campus.  To schedule time in the studio, contact the Help Desk (HelpDesk@centralpenn.edu).

All-In-One StudioAll-In-One Studio