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Presentation Tech Support VRC

New Media Cabinet Equipment in CWAC Classrooms

Our media equipment in CWAC classrooms is better than ever! Each classroom is now equipped with an HD projector, HDMI and VGA connections, and speakers.

Media cabinet keys no longer required! To turn projection on, simply hit the ON button. To connect your laptop to the projection, choose HDMI or VGA, connect your computer to the appropriate cable (newer Mac adapters now included), and press the appropriate button on the panel. You’re all set!

As always, please be sure to turn projectors OFF when your class is finished.

For more information about Mac projection settings in CWAC classrooms, see instructions here. Feel free to contact VRC staff for an orientation.

Categories
Innovative Technology Luna Powerpoint Presentation Tech Support

Teach and Present with the iPad 2

Tired of lugging your laptop from class to class? Try teaching and presenting with your iPad 2 instead! The iPad 2 can connect to a projector through a VGA adapter, just like your laptop. You can open PowerPoint and Keynote presentations in the Keynote app for iPad. Here’s what you’ll need:

Once you’ve navigated to your presentation online (or in Keynote), click to open. If loading from the web, click again on “Open in Keynote.” Keep in mind that some formatting may be lost in translation from PowerPoint to Keynote, or from your laptop to your iPad. See this guide from Apple Support on best practices for creating a presentation on a Mac for use on an iPad. Some quick tips:

  • The simpler your presentation, the more likely it will open properly on iPad.
  • Swipe or tap iPad’s screen to switch slides.
  • Presenter notes will show up on iPad, but you must select that option from the menu at upper right.
  • Use simple fonts; unrecognizable fonts will automatically be replaced with Helvetica.
  • Resize images before inserting them in your presentation; this allows for quicker download.
  • Do not plan to transmit audio; currently projection from iPad 2 only works for video.
  • The first generation iPad does not support projection or mirroring.

You may also use iPad 2 to present media groups or slide shows in LUNA. LUNA mirrors from iPad 2 seamlessly! Contact the VRC if you’d like a demonstration.

Unfortunately, iPad is not yet fully compatible with ARTstor but you can access some ARTstor functionality on iPad with their mobile app.

PLEASE NOTE: Your iPad displays all passwords character-by-character as you enter them. Right now there is no way to change this option. Wait until you have logged in to Chalk, email, LUNA, or other websites before connecting iPad 2 to the projector.

If you have any questions about teaching with iPad 2, or if you’d like to borrow an iPad 2 and adapter to try out the possibilities, please contact the VRC.

Categories
Exhibitions News

Conference at Indiana University Explores the Magic of Lantern Slides

Indiana University will host the 14th annual convention of the Magic Lantern Society of the USA and Canada on May 20-23, 2010. The Magic Lantern Society collects, preserves and shares information on the lantern devices that were invented during the 17th century and were used to entertain and educate audiences prior to the creation of film.

Members of the public are invited to attend the free or low-cost public sessions, which include an exhibit at the Lilly Library, two shows at the Fine Arts Auditorium, a silent film screening with live piano in Whittenberger Auditorium and a “Magic Lantern Spectacular” at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Terry Borton, a fourth-generation lanternist and the only professional lanternist in America, will take part in the performances.

For more information, please see Indiana University’s press release (quoted here) or the Magic Lantern Society’s complete conference schedule.