Upgrading a computer laboratory to enable hybrid teaching

There were unfortunate delays in the implementation, as the funding grant suggested to use a different solution then requested. After extensive communications and quotes the technically best solution would have included a system in use in other DCU teaching rooms but the costs were 3-4 times higher than the available SATLE funds and we had to revert back to the original low cost solution. There were further concerns by ISS a the device was running zoom on Windows 10 and there was a push to a teams based solution with confirmed upgrade to Windows 11. Hence the device was only purchased in December with the installation only finished in early 2025.

In the meantime the selected test case for the teaching material to be used in the hybrid computer room was fully developed and run for PHY1055 and PHY1054 in Semester 1. The zoom connectivity for remote students this year was done by a conventional scheduled zoom session form the staffs office PC. The student split between those working remotely and those locally in the PC room was 50:50, with very little utilisation of the conventional zoom support. As we were able to upscale the solution due to additional industrial funds we were able to integrate the same solution and additional ceiling microphones in a second space allowing for linking both rooms for such hybrid activities but much larger on-campus classes. This, while beyond the original scope has allowed us to use these spaces also for hybrid seminars and other non computer lab based lectures/labs.

Overall the added functionality greatly improves the type of activities we can have in the computer room, though the original goal to specifically add better remote support for computing activities has largely been made redundant with the increased use of AI supporting coding task, which reduced the amount of required support in the first place. 

https://www.dcu.ie/science-and-health/news/2024/dec/school-physical-sci…

The SATLE seed funding enabled us to start a proof of concept stage and clearly pitching the idea of the importance of hybrid supported computing/teaching spaces within the school. As we have received additional funds from industry sources to greatly expand on the concept by not only adding hybrid support via a low cost device but converting the entire area to a hybrid space for student self-guided computational projects but likewise hybrid lectures/seminars, hackathons etc. it is difficult to isolate the impact of the more limited SATLE project as we have not seen its impact in isolation. I would say the biggest impact was that it allowed us to formulate our ideas regarding hybrid teaching much better, hence enabling the bigger projects.

The newly configured rooms N222 and N201 which include the SATLE seed funds have become an integral part of the schools teaching infrastructure way beyond the limited zoom supported computing space and will allow us to much better integrate remote working students in all our teaching activities from the original envisioned live support during computer lab sessions to now streamed and recorded seminars/lectures and hybrid hackathons/workshops.

A full hybrid room conversion of larger spaces requires more significant funds than the limited SATLE grant, however for smaller seminar rooms the solution is adequate and can be productively used.

Interview will be added soon.