King's College in Pennsylvania pursues excellence in teaching and learning through a rigorous core curriculum with nationally accredited professional programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In 2020, they implemented a Barco weConnect hybrid classroom that enables high quality, flexible, digitalized and student-centered learning experiences for their students.
King’s College in Wilkes-Barre (PA) enrolls full-time, part-time and graduate students from over 17 states and 14 different countries. Founded in 1946 by the Congregation of Holy Cross Priests and Brothers from the University of Notre Dame, it has been dedicated to transforming both the minds and hearts of its students through the College's commitment to academic excellence, creative pedagogy, engaged mentorship, co-curricular participation, and a collaborative spirit.
Innovation as a core value, in theory and in practice
The William G. McGowan School of Business is part of that commitment. Established in 1990, the AACSB International Accredited School of Business offers innovation in program development and a forward-thinking approach using cutting-edge technology.
Innovation as a core value is what helps the School remain competitive, differentiate itself and attract students in a fast-paced world and a continuously evolving market. Classroom innovation began in the early 2000s and culminated in 2020 with an ultra-modern hybrid classroom solution to fit the new digital era, implemented by Barco and technology partner Vistacom.
Seamless, unified learning experiences in the hybrid classroom
King’s College implemented a weConnect hybrid virtual classroom that welcomes 48 virtual students displayed by a Barco UniSee high-definition LCD video wall in the physical classroom. A camera is strategically placed in the center of the video wall, capturing the instructor and the 24 onsite students split into 4 pods.
This way, remote students and onsite participants can see each other and enjoy a shared, common experience, no matter their location. The setup gives online students in particular the feeling of being in the physical classroom together with their peers.
It is also convenient for instructors, who do not have to switch between online and offline audiences and can see all students, in life size, face-to-face or on screen. ´It’s as if every student is in the front row of the classroom. ´ said Raymond Pryor (Managing Director of User Services, King’s College).
In-depth collaboration and interaction regardless of location
In addition to the large video wall displaying remote participants, there is also a screen installed in each pod. This way, remote and onsite participants are perfectly able to engage in in-depth discussion and quality group work.
The hybrid classroom technology creates a real-time collaborative environment that’s designed for sharing ideas, while active participation is encouraged with polls and quizzes. Pryor states: 'Students can raise their hands or participate in real-time polling as if they’re in a face-to-face classroom.
Tara Shawver (Chair, Kearney and Company Department of Accounting) adds 'As a professor, the technology that's most important to me is one that increases student interest in my course. So using the collaboration modes in the classroom allows my students to talk out problems. It builds teambuilding, critical thinking. It allows us to explore topics more deeply.
Flexible setup and delivery for optimal results and high learner satisfaction, no matter the conditions
In a time of continually shifting travel policies, limited room capacity due to mandatory distancing or classes going fully online because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, flexibility is essential.
Thankfully, weConnect enables King’s College to lead not only hybrid sessions with participants onsite and online but also fully virtual or fully in-person experiences. The great thing is, four or five faculty members are using the room and they’re all using it a little differently,´ Pryor says. ´They have the flexibility to be creative and deliver their content in a unique way to the students.
And what are the students saying? They are just as content with the solution. Hannah Marvin, (Accounting & Finance major) shares her experience: ´It was really seamless when we went virtual with this room because you didn't miss a beat. You saw your professor. You saw your PowerPoints and you saw everybody else and then the breakout rooms on top of it. You really had a normal class setting and then when we jumped back into going in-class, it was like nothing changed.
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.
