The VRC offers customized instructional workshops for students in courses and consults with instructors on a variety of pedagogical considerations, including hybrid teaching and research-based assignments that utilize digital exhibitions and other tools. The VRC also collaborates with AV Services to provide basic support for classroom teaching equipment in Cochrane-Woods Art Center (CWAC) classrooms.
Pedagogy and Instruction Support
Customized Instructional Sessions and Workshops
The VRC offers a number of instructional sessions and workshops that can be customized to fit your student's needs. Review our list of Instructional Sessions and Workshops.
The VRC’s Joel Snyder Materials Collection (JSMC) makes art historical objects, materials, and tools—for art-making and conservation alike— available for instructor and student engagement and research. To reserve items or discuss plans with the VRC, please write to visualresources@uchicago.edu.
If you’re preparing to assign a presentation or a digital exhibition project to your students, the VRC offers support through reference guides and/or instruction sessions. Check out our Guide to Preparing Slides for Art History Presentations, accompanied by a slide deck illustrating some visual strategies.
Lending Laptops
In accordance with University practices to maintain users’ privacy and security, as of Summer 2023, the VRC no longer lends laptops to instructors or other users. Instructors experiencing computer problems or in need of computer equipment for teaching should contact their assigned local IT group. For many in Art History, that local IT group would be the Humanities Computing team, reachable via email at humanities-computing@uchicago.edu or via phone at (773)702-6085. (The complete list of IT support units can be found at the Contact List for Local IT Support Units on Campus.)
Classroom Equipment
All CWAC classrooms are equipped with AV systems that include a laser projector and screen, loudspeakers, microphones, a DVD-Blu-Ray player, and input panels to connect your device.
To schedule an orientation to CWAC classroom AV and/or video conferencing equipment, please write to visualresources@uchicago.edu. For equipment rental or services not listed here, please contact Audio-Visual Services (AVS).
Instructions for Connecting to the Projector
Turn the projector on at the AV rack. The source should be set to Table or Podium. (Note: If you are teaching in CWAC 157 or 153, the control panel for the AV rack has been moved to sit on top of the podium to accommodate the videoconferencing equipment and controls.) Plug in the appropriate cable and/or adapter and the projector will auto detect. This takes a moment while your computer and the system conduct a “handshake” — the screen may flicker while the connection is made, but will be stable going forward.
There are three cable connections in each classroom:
- USB-C: connect directly to your USB-C laptop, no adapter necessary
- HDMI with Apple adapters to both Mini Display port and USB-C: connect the digital HDMI cable to your Mac with the appropriate adapter.
To turn the projector off, use the control panel on the AV rack.
Videoconferencing
All CWAC classrooms are equipped with videoconferencing (VC) technology that can be used in conjunction with the University’s Zoom software.
- CWAC 152: Logitech Group
- CWAC 156: Vaddio EasyIP
- CWAC 157: Vaddio EasyIP
- CWAC 153: Vaddio EasyIP
ATS maintains robust guides to the Logitech and Vaddio systems, including video demonstrations and written instructions.
For instructions on using the VC equipment in specific classrooms, please see the VRC's guide, Instructions for Connecting to Videoconferencing Equipment in CWAC Classrooms.
Optimal Projection Settings
Color Profile
The VRC recommends the color profile sRGB IEC61966-2.1 on Mac computers.
Image sizes for classroom projection
Images should be at least 1500 pixels on the long edge. The “Medium” export option in LUNA creates images that are optimally sized for use in slide decks for projection. For images that are very wide and skinny, such as a hand scroll painting, please use the “Large” export option.
For equipment rental or services not listed here, please contact Audio-Visual Services (AVS). If you need assistance after hours or when we are not in the VRC for courses or events, AVS is available Monday – Thursday, 8am-7pm and 8am-6pm Fridays. Please contact them at 773-834-4499.
