Specifications

Classroom Taxonomy
Overview (CTSG-001)
The Office of Technology Services (OTS) works with stakeholders in the university community, vendors,
manufacturers, and college/departmental technology staff to develop design standards for the audiovisual
technology installed in Towson University’s nearly 400 smart classrooms that best meet the needs of the
university. The goals of standardization aim to:
• Provide a comfortable, modern, flexible, easy-to-use, and reliable teaching-learning environment that
accommodates a variety of instructional methods
• Design an active, engaging environment for today's generation of learners
• Provide a consistent, intuitive interface for controlling audiovisual equipment throughout the campus
for faculty, staff, and students
• Ensure maximum reliability and up-time based on proven designs, components, and installation
methods
• Ensure ease of support and usage by installing standard computer models and audiovisual
components
• Keep the number of makes and models to a minimum so that an inventory of replacement parts such
as projector lamps can be maintained
Article CTSG-001; Version 1; Last Revised 5/21/2012
Classroom Audiovisual Architecture (CTSG-002)
The audiovisual industry is currently transitioning from an analog to digital audiovisual architecture and OTS is
adapting our standards to meet these changing demands. As part of the transition, known as the "analog
sunset" in consumer and professional electronics, new devices are shipping with digital outputs only and older
analog outputs are being disabled or severely limited by new content. The changes OTS is making will allow the
University to take advantage of the latest technologies, provide better integration of digital devices brought on
campus, streamline classroom design, and meet growing instructional needs.
Article CTSG-002; Version 1; Last Revised 6/12/2014
Smart Classroom Technology Tiers (CTSG-003)
A. Tier 1
• Widescreen Projector (Full HD 1920 x 1080)
• Display screen (16 x 10 or 16 x 9 motorized)
• In-Ceiling Speakers