Project Description
Under the umbrella of Christianity, the students at St Peter’s College are challenged to express what they think and believe. Combining this with the School’s dedication to being at the forefront of education has led to an extensive redevelopment project and desire for more flexible and collaborative spaces at St Peter’s College. To create such a space, knowledge of current trends and technology in the school environment was needed and Programmed Electrical Technologies (Programmed) was chosen for the task.
Project Solution
Programmed tackled the challenge of designing, installing and programming audio visual systems that not only met the immediate collaborative requirements but would also be a system that developed teachers’ abilities and confidence with the new collaborative teaching style. Thirteen rooms were designed and equipped with AV in St Peter’s College Middle School buildings. Each space has six video inputs and a wireless input that are able to be broadcasted to up to six displays within the room. In addition, there are 26 trolleys installed in total with thirteen of them being 75” interactive touch screens. The teachers can utilise one or up to six of these displays in any combination in any space. There are two sets of joinable rooms (three rooms in each set) for when larger or overflow classes are required. All of the systems are controlled via iPad minis utilising Extron Control software, making this currently one of the most complicated and largest Extron control projects in Australia.
Technology is a central part of the teaching facilities as every child in the Middle School has an iPad that is connected to the school’s network. Students are encouraged to share their academic ideas within small and larger groups. This type of contemporary design and the architectural focus of the collaborative spaces supports these learning principles.
Project Outcome
The project has been a great success, cementing Programmed’s relationship with the school. The new school term has already begun and the results positive with staff and students being very happy with the capabilities and useability of the collaborative spaces. In order to inspire teachers to utilise the systems to its fullest extent, further training will be taken. The education process for the teachers will be over a number of months and Programmed looks forward to providing St Peter’s College with technological support and training.
