Customer Profile
Established in 1928 , the University of Toronto opened the first library school in Ontario. It then went on to be called the The Faculty of Information, and is considered to be among the world’s leading information and knowledge management schools. It is a Tier One Member of iSchool, an international association of universities that lead and promote programs for the information field worldwide The Faculty is adept at educating both professional practitioners and researchers, and offers exceptional programs year-round in various disciplines.
Customer Challenges
The global pandemic has forced educators across the world to adapt their teaching styles. This challenge has produced a multitude of innovative learning models. The University of Toronto has curated a unique solution to continue interactive learning in their Technology Enhanced Active Learning Design Studio.
Professor Olivier St-Cyr spearheaded the design of an incredible interactive learning system for the university’s Master of Information students. This system was originally designed to enable students in the classroom to work on hands-on projects while being able to project wirelessly on the TVs using the Kramer VIA technology. Hundreds of thousands of dollars later, COVID-19 left the room dormant.
Determined to turn this state-of-the-art system virtual, Professor St-Cyr chose PTZOptics. The university used a PTZOptics USB camera to not only educate students virtually with Zoom, but to continue using many assets of the classroom for its designed purpose.
Kramer’s Solution
The Kramer presentation solution included the VIA Connect PRO and VIA Connect PLUS.
This system was originally intended to allow students and the professor to digitally collaborate and present within the classroom. The system has been adjusted to meet the needs of virtual learning, allowing the professor to project different students' work on the multiple monitors in the classroom. This allows students to continue contributing to the fipped classroom model the professor wanted, collaborating and problem solving during class time.
Our Partner's solution
Professor St-Cyr uses the PTZOptics USB camera on a tripod to switch between a view of himself and his whiteboard, to a series of monitors around the room. He uses the camera presets and pan settings to switch from position to position. He can control these features all within Zoom over UVC.
Results - Broadcasting In Education
Simple USB Solution: The PTZOptics 12X USB camera offers the university a simple plug-and- play solution to control their camera in Zoom, to pan around the room to different boards, and to communicate with students and faculty in high-defnition video.
Virtual Communication: The university communicates with students via Zoom to share assignments, to collaborate in breakout rooms, and to share lectures.
Virtual Presentation: The Kramer VIA Connect Pro units are used to wirelessly project from laptops running Zoom onto the TVs around the room, so the professor can assign students to breakout rooms, and be able to see the students work for each breakout room.
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.
