Get Your Students Hired
I did not see an area about testing AV Equipment in advance (forgive me if it was in there). I worked for Morotn's The Steakhouse and we would host a number of formal presentations each day. Despite me always asking the presenter to come the day prior to test the wifi and AV equipment, they never would. I cannot tell you the number of times things were not compatible. My suggestions is to always go a day prior to check equipment.
Lavetta,
yes, my presentations will be saved to a network drive, my desktop & a flash drive & I will make hard copies. I figure this way I'm covered for any situation.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It's a shame they don't take your advice, because you are so correct. It's always good to take some type of backup with you in case all else fails. Anything can go wrong. Light out, incompatability, etc. When I used to work for a V.P, and she would do presentations, we always checked equipment ahead of time and she usually had everything on her laptop.
I work at a small technical college and have assumed the roll of the IT and A/V guy. I'm always having to trouble shoot other instructor's presentation issues and have learned to keep spare parts on hand. This includes PC speakers, cables, USB Flash drives, projector bulbs, and even a ladder. You never know what condition the last user left the equipment so I try to test everything before a major presentation and be prepared to fix any problems.
I work at a small technical college and have assumed the roll of the IT and A/V guy. I'm always having to trouble shoot other instructor's presentation issues and have learned to keep spare parts on hand. This includes PC speakers, cables, USB Flash drives, projector bulbs, and even a ladder. You never know what condition the last user left the equipment so I try to test everything before a major presentation and be prepared to fix any problems.
Marsha,
this is a great way to make sure the technology is available & will be usable.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I work at a career college, and I go into classes to give presentations every 6 weeks. Often times the travel drive will not work or the instructor has difficulty the the drive.
I found that emailing the presentation and asking the instructor to do a dry run helps to avoid all the problems that pop up - also the instructor tend to become more involved in the presentation since they had seen it prior to the actual date. Sending it in advace helps with tech issues and keeps helps keep things on time.
Marsha
Chad,
yes & never depend on the technology working. Always have multiple back up plans.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I see other guest instructors all the time have eqipment related issues before a presentation. I agree with trying to be early or the day before to test run a presentation. The best advice I can give is to at least ask the location for the onstall IT professional ( if there is one) or the nearest electronics store.
After a few a while you will create a "gobag" of different styles of adapters, converters, etc.
Emilee,
this is so true! I stress to my students & those I coach to never overestimate your equipment or technology.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have learned the hard way, no matter if you arrive early to test equipment, always have a back up plan for the presentationthat does not include any form of technology. I the back up plan includes handouts, make sure they are printed out and available. You never know when the internet or technology might quit working.
Andrew,
this is great advice. I also advise speakers to have the presentation saved in multiple locations (hard drive, network, flash drive, etc).
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Mia,
you are so right. Even if you are fairly comfortable with technology, you never know what to expect so allow yourself plenty of time.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Going a day ahead of time or plenty early before the presentation is to start. I consider myself as technically challenged, so I have a difficult time with AV Equipment. Me knowing this about myself, I try to allow as much preparation time as possible so that I can prevent equipment mistakes.
Jennifer,
yes & I would add this applies to supposed "wi-fi" capability. I've been burned by that one many times!
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.