InfoComm 2023 Display Highlights UCM as Case Study in Technologically Transforming Classrooms

Ray Walters, manager of multimedia technology support services in the University of Central Missouri's Office of Technology, gives a big thumbs up to Sony's display at InfoComm 2023 featuring a case study on how UCM uses technology to transform the online and in-person classroom experience. 

WARRENSBURG, MO – Amid a myriad of technology displays individuals who attended InfoComm 2023 in Orlando, Florida, June 10-16 had the opportunity to learn more about the University of Central Missouri’s relationship with Sony and the power and engagement of  artificial intelligence (AI) to help transform the learning experience.

Attended by thousands of individuals, InfoComm is considered North America’s largest professional audiovisual trade show. The world’s top technology companies come together annually for this event to introduce products for audio, unified communications and collaboration. The event also included professional networking opportunities and a variety of educational sessions to help participants to stay abreast of current and top industry trends and forecasts. 

At the Sony exhibit, a display monitor provided a quick glimpse of a case study that was highly publicized by Sony in 2022. It demonstrates how UCM is employing the latest technology integrated by the leading digital enablement provider, AVI-SPL, utilizing Sony’s customizable artificial intelligence (AI) enabled Edge Analytics solution (REA-1000) and SRG-X120 pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras.

According to a 2022 press release by Sony, as COVID changed the educational landscape, and there was need for more flexible and dynamic presentation solutions, UCM began to implement this new equipment into more innovative classroom setups. With partial funding provided via the federal CARES Act, AVI-SPL initially installed more than 30 Edge devices - with presenter tracking and handwriting extraction enabled - that are connected to Sony PTZs to create what has become the standard for UCM’s technologically enhanced classrooms.

Ray Walters, manager of multimedia technology support services in UCM’s Office of Technology, was among university members attending InfoComm 2023, and played a major role in carrying out this initiative. In the initial news release announcing UCM’s use of these Sony products, he noted, “Prior to the pandemic, UCM was seeing a shift in how it was delivering classroom content. At the same time, I was receiving numerous requests from academic deans and educators to enable the hybrid classrooms where lectures could be recorded and presented in an asynchronous format.”

“Throughout the global pandemic, remote learning became a requirement,” Walters added. “I can honestly say that because we had Sony’s Edge Analytics devices as our standard, we were ready for the unique way education adapted.”

While UCM has transformed its predominantly in-person learning experience through this initiative, positive outcomes received from this endeavor have included more engaged teaching and learning; enabling hybrid education, combining live and recorded lecture presentations; and creating connected experiences.

Having attended the InfoComm 2023, Walters said he was excited that Sony shared information about this UCM project in a highly visible way.

“Tens of thousands of people walked by Sony’s booth, so this was really great to see,” he said.