The goal of the experiment was to test whether the availability of multimedia facilities would increase the use of multimedia tools in classroom instruction and business meetings and to evaluate the effectiveness of the facilities. Previously multimedia tools had been available for use at Columbia only in computer laboratories or as part of a laborious equipment loan process. With the dramatic increase in the availability of high quality information through electronic networks, the Multimedia Classrooms Pilot Project was viewed as an important first step toward increasing use of multimedia resources to improve classroom instruction. These classrooms may be reserved as the regular class meeting place or for individual class sessions. The classrooms are designed to accommodate a variety of technological needs.
All classrooms have connections to the campus ethernet network.
The expanded multimedia classrooms program provides facilities for other Virtual Information Initiative Projects, including Chemistry Classroom for the Future , the Media Center for Art History , and Gateway Lab . A classroom in Fayerweather and a meeting room in the Faculty House were set up for a demonstration beginning in January of 1993. The rooms were equipped with MacIntosh and DOS microcomputers that were connected to the Internet, and audio and video equipment including an LCD projection panel capable of displaying full-motion video. AcIS provided support for both rooms for the following year to assist instructors in developing lessons using the equipment, including demonstrations, tours, and tutorials. At the end of this time the project was evaluated for appropriateness and reliability of the equipment, ease of use, and level of faculty and student satisfaction.