MSU Denver Classroom Guide

Overview

This article helps understand how to operate the classroom computer, projector, and audiovisual (AV) equipment to deliver lectures and presentations smoothly.

Before you begin...

Notice: If your classroom is a HyFlex classroom, please be sure to schedule a training session with our AV team prior to your first day of class. This article will not cover how to use a HyFlex system.

Instructions

Getting Started:

• Log in to the classroom computer (optional): Use your university email address (including "@msudenver.edu") and password to log in to MSU Denver computers.

• Locate the control panel: Most classrooms have a touch screen or button-based control panel on the lectern or wall. 

• Check equipment status:

  1. Use the in-room touch panel to power on the audio visual equipment.

  2. Verify that the projector or display screen is powered on.

  3. On the touch panel, select the appropriate source for your device :In room PC vs HDMI (laptop).

Using the In-Room Computer:

• Accessing your materials: Use a USB drive, cloud storage (e.g., OneDrive, Google Drive), or LMS (Canvas) to access your presentation materials.

  • Note: Do not save any important files or data to MSU Denver classroom or lab computers. These computers are occasionally replaced or erased as regular maintenance and ITS cannot guarantee your data on these computers. Be sure to use portable storage such as a USB flash drive or cloud storage option (OneDrive) to store your data.

• Launching applications: Open any PowerPoint, browsers, media players, or specialized software needed for your presentation.

• Logging out / shutting down: Always log out or restart the computer after class.

Using a Laptop Computer:

• Connecting a laptop: Connect your laptop to the available HDMI cable.

  • Note: if your laptop does not have an HDMI port you will need to use an adapter or use the in-room PC. If an adapter is not present in the classroom, please reach out to your department to get one.

Displaying Your Content:

• Using the built-in projector or display

  • Select the correct input on the in-room control touch panel (“PC,” “HDMI,” BYOD).

  • Adjust display settings on the computer if needed (duplicate/extend screen):

    • Windows: Hold down the windows key "⊞" and press "P" on your keyboard. This will bring up the Windows Projection settings menu. Press the "P" key again to select either the "Duplicate" or "Extend" setting. Release the windows key to make your selection. This will allow you to use the projector / TV screen to display your content.

• Mac: Click on the apple icon on the top left of your screen and select the "System Settings..." option. Click on the "Displays" tab. From here you can verify which screens are detected by your computer and select which to use as a main / extended screen.

  • Some versions of macOS may raise a popup when connecting display devices to your mac. If your computer raises this pop-up you can select the display mode from it instead of the system settings menu: 
    

Sound Setup:

• Select your source: Choose the correct output on your computer to ensure that audio is being sent to the in-room equipment.

  • Windows: On Windows 11, click the volume icon on the task bar and select the arrow (˄) next to the volume slider. From the list that appears, choose the output device (In this example the room equipment is PT-VMZ50.) you want to use. You can also go to Settings > System > Sound for more detailed device options.
    

  • Mac: On macOS, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar and select Sound to see available output devices. Choose the device you want from the list. You can also open System Settings > Sound for more detailed audio options.
    

• Adjust volume: Use the control panel volume buttons or sliders to adjust the volume. Also check the computer’s volume and mute settings to ensure that sound is enabled and set to a good level.

• Test before class: Play a short clip or test sound to confirm sounds are clear.

Leaving the Classroom:

• Power off the in-room equipment: Use the power controls on the in-room touch panel to power off the in-room display equipment.

• Sign out of in-room PC: Be sure to sign out of the in-room PC if you are using it. Also be sure to take any USB flash drives or other devices if you brought them.

• Disconnect your laptop: If you used a laptop be sure to disconnect the room HDMI cable and take your laptop with you.

Troubleshooting and Support:

• Common issues:

  • “No signal” message on projector/ TV: Check to make sure that the correct input has been selected on the touch panel. Try changing the input on the touch panel. If you are able to see the the display cables, verify that they are connected to both the computer you are using and the wall/ podium.

  • No sound: Check the volume on the touch panel as well as on your computer, making sure that it is not set to zero on both. Check your sound settings to make sure the correct device is selected.

  • Computer frozen or won’t log in: If you are able to see the Ethernet cable, ensure that the cable is connected to both the computer and a wall jack. You can also try rebooting the computer.

• When to call for help: If you are unable to resolve any issues with MSU Denver classroom equipment after following the above steps, please call MSU Denver ITS at (303) 352-7548 from 8:15am-4:30pm Monday-Thursday or 9:30am-4:30pm Friday or submit an issue report here.

Tips for Success:

• Arrive 10–15 minutes early to set up and test your materials when possible.

• Save a backup copy of your presentation online as well as on a flsh drive.

• Familiarize yourself with the control panel in a test session before your first class.

Result

You should now be able to fully leverage MSU Denver classroom presentation technology.