Mediated Classroom Services - Smartcart Testimonials

Below are the questions, just click on them to view the testimonials.

Have you used the Smart Carts personally? If so, what has your experience been with them?
Are they a valuable addition to your teaching tools or did the older technology work better for you?
Are they easier or harder to use than other types of technology you may have used in the classroom?
Do they create a better classroom environment for you and your students, or are they a hindrance?
Would you like to see more Smart Carts on campus, or is the current supply enough?

Have you used the Smart Carts personally? If so, what has your experience been with them?

Yes!!! My experience has been completely terrific. These Carts expedite the presentation of multi-media material. They make the delivery easier for the teacher both in terms of preparation (no messy overheads) and no running all over the front of the room to move from one archaic piece of equipment to another. With as few simple pointers, almost any faculty member can become fully functional. Obviously nothing will work for the attitudinally challenged faculty who cannot or will not adapt to change or to learning technology. Charles Apple, Communication
I work with the departmental cart in WSW 2022. From our first day of class, we have used the wonderful technology here. I have used PowerPoint weekly, the VCR, and the visual scanner. Carol Rossman, Nursing
The smart carts are great. I use the document projector, the LCD with PowerPoint. Pam Royston, SOM
Speaking as support staff, the Smart Carts have been phenomenally successful. We expected to have numerous problems and calls for help at the beginning of the term, as with all new technology. The transition to this equipment has been amazingly smooth. The Smart Carts are very user-friendly. In the past, we were frequently called by faculty to look at media equipment that was not working (or that they didn't know how to work). You covered these problem areas in advance with good and easily accessible training and very clear information sheets. Your response time for helping out has been great--we haven't heard a single complaint. As support staff, we are very grateful! Marge Hathaway, Nursing
Smart Carts are far superior. Fred E. (Ted) Williams, Dean, School of Management
The smart carts are great! Maureen Tippen, Nursing
I am sending this message in support of the excellent resources contained in the Smart Cart. The one I consistently use is in 1156 White Building. Janet S. Barnfather, Nursing
I use the Smart Carts with each class in WSW. They are a terrific addition--very flexible, open avenues with internet connection to show current info/news/resources; make presentations much more interesting to students with all that is possible on the cart. Kathleen Moore, Nursing
I want to voice my satisfaction with the classroom technology in the CSW building. The classrooms are very conducive to technology in teaching thanks to the smart carts and the support (at a phone call notice via posted phone number). Mary B. Killeen, Nursing
The students and I are finding it very convenient to place documents on the overhead device. We have no more problems with powerpoint. It is GREAT! Thanks to all of those responsible. Mary B. Killeen, Nursing
I use the cart every class session and the students seem to enjoy the variety of learning approaches made possible through the Smart Cart to various forms of media. Deborah Snyder, Extended Learning
Yes, I have used them. They are relatively easy to use. Denise Luethge, SOM
Though not extensively, I have used the smart carts - they are very easy to use and are a valuable addition to the classroom and to existing technology (they allow access to the internet and I use this in my finance classes). Vijay Gondhaleka, SOM
The smart carts are the best thing that's happened at UMF in years! I can't even express how much I've appreciated having them in all of the classrooms in which I teach. I've used them every single class period this semester. Joan Cowdery, Health Sciences & Administration
I have used the smart carts since the beginning of the semester. I love having them. Becky Rodda, Physical Therapy
I haven’t really used the smart carts for anything, but I have to say that being technologically-challenged as I am (please don’t remind me about the loss of power on the cameras in our rooms), so far I have been able to go into several classrooms and EASILY trouble-shoot the problems that faculty have had with them. The fact that there are only 4 input modes and no wires that people can disconnect and reconnect incorrectly, has been a dream-come-true for me!!!! I like them and think they are quite easy to deal with once one gets over the initial apprehension of having to rely on something new. I noticed all faculty were scared that if they couldn’t get the equipment to work, they didn’t have a back-up plan and were fearful of that fact. I’m all for the smartcarts over the old VCRs and TVs and overheads. (It’s also great not to have to make overheads and have the copier jam and melt them just before a lecture). Lynn Kruse, Nursing
Words cannot express how wonderful the Smart Carts have been for me. My courses in the Communication Department rely on using such technology and equipment. It's rare for me to conduct a class session without using the Smart Cart in some way. The Smart Carts are easy to use, and always in the room. My courses have certainly been enhanced. The students have also made positive comments, which is noteworthy. I am extremely happy with them. Hats off to the person that ordered the Smart Carts...David J. Weinert, Communication
Yes I use them – mostly for overhead projections but also for videos. For the overheads, I no longer use the transparencies but use the actual paper to project since that is a much sharper image. The videos are easy to use but there are problems with some of our home made videos. I could not get one to stay in the machine- it kept ejecting when I would put it in so I could not play it. I heard from other PT faculty that you already know about this problem. Paulette M. Cebulski, Physical Therapy
I've used the Smart Cart in my class (HCR 300) and love it!! I've used it primarily for PowerPoint presentations but have also gone out to the internet to display web pages at various sites to help frame discussions about current events in health care. Dan Borton, Healthcare
I love them. I use them every day in class. I love being able to go from a video, to a powerpoint guided lecture to overhead all with the ease of a button. My students enjoy it because it is easier to read the screen, equipment is always available for presentations, speeches etc. Tressa Kelly, Communication

Are they a valuable addition to your teaching tools or did the older technology work better for you?

This technology is clearly superior to older equipment. On one hand, it is simply all of the previous equipment combined into a nice single package, kind of one stop shopping. On the other hand, the Elmo, adds a dimension that is difficult to express without crying (for joy). Elmo makes the presentation of any material instantaneous!!! Wow!! Now that is an improvement. The simple click from one medium to another helps move the class along in a much smoother manner. Charles Apple, Communication

Extremely valuable. Edgar Torres, Physical Therapy

The most wonderful thing is the ability to access the internet inside your PowerPoint presentations to show pictures and sound. The second week my presentation was on pediatric skin diseases and in the past I have used a carousel of slides for this but they were dated. There was no slide projector in this building so I decided to see if I could find the pictures I needed on-line. I found fabulous up-to-date pictures of every disease and linked them into the PowerPoint presentation so I could go there during the lecture. This made a much more professional and updated lecture than the slides did. Carol Rossman, Nursing

The Smart Cart saves time in class and students can see this better. As an adjunct and working in business, I can tell you this is the way of the world. All presentations are made via PowerPoint and this gets the students use to seeing this in use and using it themselves. Pam Royston, SOM

I believe that my teaching has been enhanced by having the Smart Cart. Janet S. Barnfather, Nursing

The students and I are finding it very convenient to place documents on the overhead device. We have no more problems with PowerPoint. It is GREAT! Thanks to all of those responsible. Mary B. Killeen, Nursing

Let me relay one experience in using the cart (I use it all of the time, but this was an exceptional experience). Each year I invite a guest lecturer from University Hospital to teach the students about testing patients with vestibular problems (inner ear problems that make people dizzy and unsteady). As part of the lab she conducts she puts special goggles on one of the students that allow us to view the student’s eye movements in response to specific tests. In past years we would all try to gather around the small (2” x 3”) LCD panel display that the guest lecturer brought for the demonstration. This year we were able to place her small LCD panel display on the visualizer and the entire class was able to see the eye movements on the big screen. This was extremely helpful in facilitating teaching so the students can understand what to look for in normal and abnormal eye movement responses to the test stimuli. Thanks for all of your support of our department! Donna Fry-Welch, Physical Therapy

I prefer the Smart Cart rather than the older technology. No more pushing stuff around. Denise Luethge, SOM

It has made the presentation of my materials so much more efficient. I do all of my lectures on power point and was stuck in the past with having to transfer everything to a disc, order the equipment from LRC, then hope it all worked when I got to the classroom. Joan Cowdery, Health Sciences & Administration

They make lectures so much easier to do. I find them valuable especially with the Elmo for books. I also like the fact that we can use a zip drive, a CD ROM, DVD, video or get things from the internet. I have used the system to display ideas during a class discussion so that people would see and hear the ideas stated by the class. Much better than previous technology. I don't think I can go back. I definitely feel that most of the faculty who would use them would find them easy to operate and superior in many ways. Thanks for all the work you've done on them. I really like having them. Becky Rodda, Physical Therapy

Love the new technology much better and am thrilled that the equipment is always in the room – do not have to reserve it or get to class early to be sure it is delivered. This is a real time saver. Paulette M. Cebulski, Physical Therapy

The ability to link to the network where I can store files for use in class is invaluable. I feel that students see the technology and what it offers as a valuable addition to the traditional methods of instruction. Dan Borton, Healthcare

Are they easier or harder to use than other types of technology you may have used in the classroom?

As noted above, with a few directions, this is simply wonderful. Easier is not too relevant, because using an eraser is easier in one sense, but the chalk board does not convey material as effectively as does the Smart Cart. The Cart requires some "technological literacy" and some will see that as difficult. However, we are in a new era of pedagogy, and faculty must adapt to new forms of delivery. Charles Apple, Communication

Very easy to use. Edgar Torres, Physical Therapy

The other thing I love is the ability to access my PowerPoint from my computer and not having to remember to bring my disc. It saves money and time (because I frequently was looking for the disc or my back-up files to recopy the disc). Carol Rossman, Nursing

The overhead projectors distorted writing and were hard to view (you couldn't focus as well like you can with the LCD). Pam Royston, SOM

Easier. Fred E. (Ted) Williams, Dean, School of Management

There is a learning curve for us who are challenged in the tech area, but I would not give that up. Change is hard, and I would expect some people like their overhead projectors just fine. Not me! Maureen Tippen, Nursing

It is very easy to use, and there are no problems. Thanks for all that you have done to bring about this wonderful resource. Janet S. Barnfather, Nursing

Ease of access to files on system is wonderful; I often use a diskette tho' to avoid having to go thru a lot of folders and have students see material that might be 'classified'. For that reason a zip drive would be useful as well for large files. Too, if questions or topics come up in class spontaneously, I can retrieve pertinent materials from my files on the spot. This provides students with substantial information that they otherwise would not have as readily. My only suggestion--touchpads can be a bit difficult to manage if fingers are stiff-would like to have the old-fashioned mouse available on all the carts. Kathleen Moore, Nursing

No difference with technology. Denise Luethge, SOM

The only problem I have had is in the Big room on the first floor of the White Building [1205] (I guest lectured there for someone) and since that room does not have a black board I had to use the overhead (input) and I felt somewhat stuck at one place in the classroom - but this may be my personal preference for using the real black board instead of using the overhead projector. Vijay Gondhaleka, SOM

The only hindrance is not being able to go backwards on the input button when I switch between the computers and the Elmo. But it's only a minor hindrance. Becky Rodda, Physical Therapy

Easier. Paulette M. Cebulski, Physical Therapy

I think they are easier to use than other technology because they are not cumbersome... plus if its in the room than I don't have to rely on someone from media to get it to the room on time or take time before class obtaining the equipment. I also love being able to use my personal directory in the classroom as well as going on the internet. Tressa Kelly, Communication

Do they create a better classroom environment for you and your students, or are they a hindrance?

There is no question that they improve the learning environment within the classroom for both teacher and students. The teacher can facilitate instruction better and students can both interact with the material in a 3 D fashion and can make presentations more effectively. Charles Apple, Communication

Because everything is in one box, there are fewer "machines" in the way. This is very helpful. It is also easy to switch from one device to another. Edgar Torres, Physical Therapy

I am continuing to learn more and more how to interface the different aspects of the technology we have here, and feel I have only scratched the surface. One of my projects coming up is an on-line interactive tool for learning diagnostic reasoning. My class will work on-line on this together in a seminar using the computer and large screen. Looking forward to seeing how it goes! Carol Rossman, Nursing

This is the way of the future. I only wish I had more time to spend adding some animation to my presentations to keep the students interest. This generation is used to being visually stimulated. Thanks for the support including the equipment to make visual teaching possible. Trust me this isn't easy, and I teach accounting!! Pam Royston, SOM

Can’t answer yet, but they’ll create a better environment. Fred E. (Ted) Williams, Dean, School of Management

I used a CD today and my students were able to listen to abnormal heart sounds. I brought in the laptops with assistance from Phil. He hooked me up and it was wonderful learning. Maureen Tippen, Nursing

I show PowerPoint slides which are accessible through the common drive system; we visit websites that support what students are learning, we view video and audio clips, etc. It really adds to the learning experience in my humble opinion. Thank you for your carts, the training, and your support! Deborah Snyder, Extended Learning

Much better to use, no hindrance at all. It is wonderful to be able to go into class with just a pen and my keys, get on my website, download my PowerPoint slides, switch back and forth to the internet, call up material from another class (also on my website), and never miss a beat. It’s great technology, and the support is fantastic. Denise Luethge, SOM

The smart carts have improved my teaching capabilities markedly. I did not use PowerPoint before because our previous system was so weak we had to put the lights out. I can now present PowerPoint and the light in the classroom is bright enough to see the students faces for appropriate interaction and teaching. I can also access the web instantly IN the classroom while teaching to answer questions based on evidence. This allows me to set an example as a scientific/evidence based practitioner and to demonstrate to students how to run a search.
We can use the overhead device to show 3-d objects clearly. Jackie Drouin, Physical Therapy

The additional ability of being able to access web resources live has allowed me to do many more things during class than I've been able to do in the past. Joan Cowdery, Health Sciences & Administration

Much better since it is standardized from room to room and we (faculty) are not fumbling to figure out the nuances of different pieces of equipment. Paulette M. Cebulski, Physical Therapy

The smart card is very helpful, I think it is great. I teach Physical Assessment to nursing students and show videos and I find the smart cart easy to use and like the big screen vs. a T.V. It creates a better classroom environment. Thank You. Sandra Cooper, Nursing

Would you like to see more Smart Carts on campus, or is the current supply enough?

There should be a Smart Cart in every classroom on campus. No one should have to be careful on the room that they use for a class. Security may need some adjustments, but that should be no real issue. Charles Apple, Communication

...I think all classrooms should have access to this technology. Edgar Torres, Physical Therapy

Hard to say. If I were using a room without one, there wouldn’t be enough on campus. Fred E. (Ted) Williams, Dean, School of Management

I really appreciate not having to order and schedule equipment every semester.
Would like to see very classroom have a cart--would make it much easier for faculty to be able to depend on these; we can go anywhere and have all the resources we need. Kathleen Moore, Nursing

I’m not sure about the supply elsewhere on campus……we seem to have quite a few in the White Building. Denise Luethge, SOM

Overall, the smart carts are wonderful. All the classrooms that I am currently teaching in have the smart carts, but I for one would like them to become standard feature in all the classrooms. Thanks. Vijay Gondhaleka, SOM

I'm afraid that I've become so spoiled that I wouldn't know what to do if I had to teach in a room without one. Joan Cowdery, Health Sciences & Administration

I would recommend that more be purchased – but I cannot really speak for other parts of campus. Paulette M. Cebulski, Physical Therapy

I would strongly support the use of the Smart Carts in all areas as the instructor feels is appropriate. Dan Borton, Healthcare

I'd like them to be in every room, every building etc. I think the technology makes me a better, more adaptive professor. Tressa Kelly, Communication

Selected Smartcart Testimonials

I've used the Smart Cart in my class (HCR 300) and love it!! I've used it primarily for PowerPoint presentations but have also gone out to the internet to display web pages at various sites to help frame discussions about current events in health care. The ability to link to the network where I can store files for use in class is invaluable. I feel that students see the technology and what it offers as a valuable addition to the traditional methods of instruction. I would strongly support the use of the Smart Carts in all areas as the instructor feels is appropriate.

Dan Borton, Healthcare

Let me relay one experience in using the Smart Cart (I use it all of the time, but this was an exceptional experience). Each year I invite a guest lecturer from University Hospital to teach the students about testing patients with vestibular problems (inner ear problems that make people dizzy and unsteady). As part of the lab she conducts she puts special goggles on one of the students that allow us to view the student’s eye movements in response to specific tests. In past years we would all try to gather around the small (2” x 3”) LCD panel display that the guest lecturer brought for the demonstration. This year we were able to place her small LCD panel display on the visualizer and the entire class was able to see the eye movements on the big screen. This was extremely helpful in facilitating teaching so the students can understand what to look for in normal and abnormal eye movement responses to the test stimuli. Thanks for all of your support of our department!

Donna Fry-Welch, Physical Therapy

The smart carts are the best thing that's happened at UMF in years! I can't even express how much I've appreciated having them in all of the classrooms in which I teach. I've used them every single class period this semester. It has made the presentation of my materials so much more efficient. I do all of my lectures on power point and was stuck in the past with having to transfer everything to a disc, order the equipment from LRC, then hope it all worked when I got to the classroom. The additional ability of being able to access web resources live has allowed me to do many more things during class than I've been able to do in the past. I'm afraid that I've become so spoiled that I wouldn't know what to do if I had to teach in a room without one. If you need a poster child of support for this program I'm the one. Please let me know if you'd like any additional information.

Joan Cowdery, Health Sciences & Administration

University of Michigan - Flint