“I never would have imagined that it would be so easy,” says Prof. Jürgen Pafel. He teaches at the Institute of Linguistics at the University of Stuttgart and is enthusiastic about the “hybrid machine” as he jokingly calls the all-in-one device that allows for the improved quality of hybrid seminars.
The all-in-one device consists of a speaker, microphone, and a 180° camera all on one small stand. It was purchased in large quantities by the University of Stuttgart for instructors who offer hybrid seminars. The device improves the possibility to participate in seminars and to discuss topics with each other – even if only some of the students are on site in the seminar room and the rest are participating online.
Connection via USB flash drive
The handling is quite simple. The all-in-one device is connected to the laptop via USB flash drive, thereby enabling collaboration via Webex. “It truly is a high-quality device,” emphasizes Pafel as he describes the seminar situation. The lecturer’s place is taken by the “hybrid machine”, which has the seminar room and the 10 or so students in view. The students can easily sit at a corona-compliant distance. “I sit in the front row at my laptop,” the professor continues. What he sees on the screen is transmitted to the front of the room via the projector. Students and instructors alike have a good view of what is happening, and those who are participating online are perfectly integrated into the group when they have something to say.
Lively seminars for all participants
The camera technology truly brings the hybrid seminars to life. That’s because it zooms away from the large overview image to the places with more volume and thus always “focuses” on those who are speaking. The contributions of the external participants can be easily heard over the loudspeakers. “The microphone of the all-in-one device does crackle a bit,” notes Pafel: “But I use my laptop microphone. And that works quite well.”
Smooth process
It didn’t take much more than an introduction by the e-learning team at the University of Stuttgart to get many colleagues at the Institute of Linguistics excited about the all-in-one device. It therefore never has time to collect dust. “At our research colloquium, we can easily integrate participants from other universities,” says Pafel. He also conducts an advanced seminar as a hybrid seminar together with a former colleague who now teaches at the University of Erlangen–Nürnberg. Everything runs smoothly; the cooperation works. Even the small fear that something might go wrong linguistically was dispelled. “All participants are extremely disciplined, and everyone is able to speak their mind. It’s perhaps sometimes not quite so spontaneous. Nevertheless, it’s great how the hybrid machine promotes cooperation,” emphasizes Pafel.
Ordering option for interested parties
Technical information and communication services has purchased 50 all-in-one devices for the University of Stuttgart. Some may still be on “permanent loan” for the entire semester. Those who are quick have the best chances. That’s because the devices are loaned out on a “first come – first serve” basis. If there is enough interest, another order could be placed. In any case, five devices for individual seminars are available for short-term loan from the multimedia teams in the city center and in Vaihingen.
Requests for “permanent loan” of all-in-one devices should be submitted via e-mail. More information on operating the all-in-one devices and using them in Webex and “hybrid seminars” is available on Ilias [de].