The research and education at Radboud University are optimized with the use of the right resources and infrastructure. Radboud University decided to incorporate innovative technology that would encourage greater interaction not only between students, but also between students and teachers, taking the learning experience to new heights. The university trusted the expertise of Barco Education to work together on more engaging and Radboud University is determined to offer students the highest standards of education. This means incorporating innovative approaches that get the most out of the learning experience. As such, the university invested in 2 collaboration rooms where students are able to collaborate more freely, not only with each other, but with their teachers as well. With the interactivity possibilities like silent questions, polling or quizzing offered by the Barco weConnect technology, the traditional one-directional educational approach has been turned into a genuine all-round collaborative and truly creative experience. It enables a completely new way of teaching, which looks more like coaching than lecturing.
Collaboration
Radboud University has recently invested in new approaches to learning experiences with two new collaboration rooms. The rooms allow teacher to let the students work in groups, share ideas and with the entire class and work directly with the teacher using Barco weConnect technology.
“In my field of expertise, students learn by looking for solutions to corporate problems,” says the Corporate Strategy teacher, Sjors Witjes. “They need to collaborate, discuss and work with each other.”
Thanks to the set-up in the collaboration rooms, students do are able to truly work together in smaller teams, think reflectively and learn from each other. At the same time, the collaborative approach strengthens the creativity of students with suggestions, ideas and recommendations from other groups.
Quality
It was the recognition of quality and flexibility of the educational solution that led Radboud University to choosing Barco weConnect collaboration rooms.
“We had already seen a few demonstrations,” explains René Hagels, Head of Facilitatory Support. “Barco weConnect opened our eyes to new possibilities in learning experiences. We could further develop our education, our teaching methods and the ways we collaborate.”
It was the flexibility and user-friendliness of the SaaS solution that convinced Radboud University that Barco was the right choice to make.
“The technology in the rooms works seamlessly with existing IT infrastructure, and perfectly allows BYOD for teachers and students on our campus. This flexibility is a must considering how mobile devices are an inherent part of our lives nowadays.”
New possibilities
Students will not just use the collaboration rooms for teaching purposes and lectures. René Hagels sees other opportunities:
“The rooms are also used for brainstorm sessions and meetings. With a group of students in one space, working together, but still separately. Even outside lectures, they’ll learn to collaborate thanks to the interactive, new possibilities of these rooms.” future-proof educational solutions.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
