Instructor Station and Classroom Equipment

Owned by Katie Dufner (Unlicensed), created
Last updated: Aug 30, 2022 by Savannah Swanson
3 min read
Classroom Control Panel - Not all control panels on campus look like the one displayed here.

Be sure the On button is solid and not flashing before choosing any source options.

Do not repeatedly press controller buttons while the system is blinking (connecting) as that could result in the system freezing.

  1. Turn the projector ON (wait until flashing light turns to solid) and choose from the control panel if you want to display the the DVD/VCR, Doc Cam, Laptop or PC (Instructor Station Computer).

  2. Control the volume use the volume control knob on the control panel (if there is no sound, check that the amp is powered on, if playing from PC or Laptop, check the volume there too)

  3. Use PIC MUTE to black out the screen that is currently displaying on the projector screen, choose PIC MUTE again to resume displaying.

  4. Switch between the different sources, DVD/VCR, Doc Cam, Laptop or instructor station

Using the instructor station PC

  • Log in using your StarID and StarID password. Guests will need to use a guest log in which needs to be requested by a MPLS College employee from Technology Support.

  • The instructor station PCs are about 1.5 inches tall and 7 in x 7 in.

  • The power button is located on the left side, with the ThinkCentre logo on the right.

Using Microsoft 365 in the classroom

When using Microsoft 365 applications, you will need to sign in to activate the license. Use your Microsoft 365 credentials.

  • Username: StarID@minnstate.edu

  • Password: StarID password

Display using the classroom instructor station

Once the PC is powered on and logged in, press ON on the control panel, once it has stopped blinking, press PC. Once the buttons are solid orange, you should see the PC displayed on the projector screen.

If you are a guest on campus, please contact your Minneapolis College facilitator for the correct login credentials.

Turning the projector on/off

To turn on the projector, press the control panel button under Projector ON. The glowing orange light indicates what button is selected. It can take several seconds to switch between controls.

To turn the projector off, press the control panel button under projector OFF.

Sound volume

Use the turn dial to control the volume of the classroom speakers. If there is no sound, check if the amplifier is on. In newer rooms, the Amplifier has a blue light. In older rooms, the amplifier is under the desk. You can only hear the audio of one source at a time.

Using the Document Camera

Remove the lens cover on the doc cam.
Press the power button on the document camera.
If the document camera shows a red light it means it is off.
Press the DOC CAM button on the control panel to project the doc cam to the classroom.

Using the DVD/VCR player

First turn the power on of the DVD/VCR player that is located under the desk.
Press DVD/VCR on the control panel.

Please note the DVD PLayers and VCRs are no longer supported by Technology Support. If a device breaks down it will be removed from the classroom and not replaced.

Displaying a laptop to the projector

Standard classrooms have a USB-C cord for laptops located on the instructor station, once the laptop is plugged in, choose Laptop from the control panel.

Troubleshooting Classroom Display and Audio Issues

  1. Amplifier should be on and remain on at all times

  2. Master switch panel, make sure the selection here matches the selection you chose on the control panel. These should need to be changed on a regular basis. There is also a volume control here to.