Hybrid Education at the Wroclaw University of Economics

Client

Wroclaw University of Economics

Brand

Education

Project scope

A comprehensive modernization of Building A, including the deployment of professional audio and video systems throughout its meeting and teaching spaces

Location

Wrocław

Partners

Epson, Crestron, Kauber, Sennheiser, QSC, LG, Techlogix, Apart Audio, Relacart, Moxa, Netgear, Ecler

Challenge

Comprehensive modernization
of Building A

The history of education demonstrates that the foundations of effective teaching lie deeply rooted in the past, challenging the notion that modern technological solutions are the sole key to educational success. However, contemporary universities face a crucial challenge: harmonizing proven teaching methods with innovative digital tools while meeting the expectations of students.

The Wroclaw University of Economics, a higher education institution with over 75 years of tradition in training generations of specialists in economics, finance, and management, serves as an example of a strategic approach to technological transformation. In 2020, the university’s authorities decided to comprehensively modernize Building A, aiming, among other objectives, to equip selected classrooms with state-of-the-art audiovisual solutions.

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The main contractor for the project was Obis2 Andrzej Ślązak, General Contractor, which, after winning the tender, trusted A+V as a subcontractor with the design and implementation of the audiovisual system. The investment, carried out in the first half of 2021, included thirteen lecture halls in Building A, creating a comprehensive technological infrastructure to support a modern educational process.

Solution

A modern space for hybrid learning

As part of the project, we focused on creating educational spaces that meet the needs of users, combining modern technologies with intuitive operation and ensuring comfort for both lecturers and students. The implemented solutions varied depending on the size and purpose of the rooms, from standard but essential lecture halls to advanced spaces designed for hybrid learning.

Implemented AV Solutions

Lecture Hall 214

Lecture Hall 214 was designed as a modern space dedicated to hybrid lectures. The challenge for us was to create a system that, despite its advanced functionality, would be as user-friendly as possible while enabling precise tracking of the presenter within the room.

The core of the system is a Crestron Microsoft Teams video conferencing codec, allowing seamless communication with remote students and recording on-site sessions for later sharing on the e-learning platform.

A high-end QSC PTZ camera, a Sennheiser ceiling microphone array, and our custom-developed speaker tracking algorithms provide presenters with the freedom to move within the presentation zone. For more demanding sessions, when a lecturer wants to pass the floor to an on-site student, the system is complemented by wireless microphones.

Our solution not only simplifies system operation but also ensures flexibility and convenience by minimizing the need for manual camera adjustments and, in most cases, eliminating the requirement for additional microphones. The room is equipped with a ceiling-mounted audio system, which is ideal for larger spaces, particularly for speech playback.

We also designed a projection system featuring a high-brightness Epson laser projector and an electrically retractable screen. Due to the room’s significant length but relatively low height, the screen could not be large enough to ensure clear visibility for students in the back rows. To address this, we installed two 75-inch LG monitors that replicate the image displayed on the projection screen.

For the lecturer’s convenience, the desk is equipped with a connectivity panel offering HDMI and USB-C ports with integrated laptop charging.

To simplify the system’s useage, all controls, including video conferencing operations, are managed through a single 10-inch touch panel mounted on the lecturer’s desk. The intuitive interface allows all necessary devices to be activated with one button and provides control over the room’s DALI-standard lighting.

The use of premium-grade equipment from Crestron and QSC ensures top-tier transmission quality and system reliability. The result is a comprehensive communication system that meets the highest standards of modern educational spaces.

Smaller Rooms (203, 206, 207–212, 215)

Larger Rooms (120, 202, 205)

Effect

A modern and fully functional hybrid
learning space with Q&A mode

The implementation of modern audiovisual systems at the Wroclaw University of Economics has enhanced the institution’s ability to achieve its educational objectives, including the delivery of hybrid lectures. Advanced solutions, such as PTZ cameras with auto-tracking functionality and high-quality microphone systems, ensure seamless hybrid teaching, providing equal access to knowledge for both on-campus and remote students.

The implemented solutions also allow the University to record lectures, generate transcripts, and create real-time translations, further increasing the accessibility of educational materials. This project’s success demonstrates that the key to effective modernization lies not only in implementing the latest technologies but also in thoughtfully integrating them with existing infrastructure while ensuring that university staff can rely on intuitive and reliable systems.

The completed project serves as an excellent example of how to harmoniously combine academic tradition with the demands of the digital future, without losing sight of the most valuable aspect of education—effectively sharing knowledge.