Kramer AV over IP transforms teaching flexibility at John Abbott
Kramer has deployed AV over IP (AVoIP) solutions at John Abbott College in Quebec, enabling the institution to boost classroom capacity and adapt teaching spaces without significant construction projects. The college's new classroom complex features networked audio-visual technology designed to allow educators greater flexibility in teaching formats and room configurations.
Campus expansion
John Abbott College, serving a rapidly expanding student population, needed more teaching space within its existing 1,600-acre site. The college opted for a modular expansion, installing 32 prefabricated units to form the Maple Hall complex. Thirteen classrooms in Maple Hall have been equipped with a fully networked AV infrastructure, replacing the traditional point-to-point cabling systems.
Networked infrastructure
Kramer's AVoIP system enables any video or audio source to be routed to any display across the classrooms or the wider campus. The technology supports a range of teaching requirements, allowing content to be split across displays for group work, broadcast presentations to multiple rooms, and annotate shared material from any device.
Each classroom features an 8-inch Kramer KT-208 touch panel, providing one-touch control for instructors. Displays in the rooms include 86-inch SMART interactive screens and two additional 86-inch LG displays per classroom. Kramer PA-120Z audio amplifiers, ceiling speakers, and KDS-DEC7 video decoders provide consistent sound and help maintain low video latency over the network. Kramer VIA GO devices also permit wireless 4K streaming from laptops, phones, or tablets.
User experience
The installation was designed to be intuitive and maintenance-light. Audio-visual equipment is housed in podium racks, with AV traffic handled by a network backbone featuring Cisco Meraki and Ubiquiti switches. Integrated motion sensors and controls for lighting and shades aim to further streamline classroom operations and improve energy efficiency.
"Technology should enhance the lesson, not interrupt it. That's what Kramer helped us achieve. Instructors walk in and everything just works. They can focus on teaching, not on technology," said Ryan Forster, Coordinator of End User Experience, John Abbott College.
Flexible teaching
The enhanced AV system introduces real-time flexibility into classroom environments. Instructors are now able to split screens to facilitate group work, share content seamlessly between classrooms, and highlight student projects instantly using the control panel. Annotation can be performed on both the interactive classroom display and from personal devices.
"We're no longer locked into single-purpose rooms. With this infrastructure, we can scale, adapt, and grow on demand. Instructors don't need to think about inputs or buttons," said Forster.
"It's about flexibility. We now have the infrastructure to support teaching that adapts in real time-whether it's small group breakout sessions or sharing a single presentation with multiple classrooms," said Forster.
Future plans
Following the implementation at Maple Hall, John Abbott College intends to expand Kramer's AVoIP infrastructure across the broader campus. The college reports that this approach supports evolving educational requirements and the efficient use of teaching spaces, without the need for further significant construction efforts.
"This is more than an AV upgrade. It's a long-term investment in how we teach and learn. We're no longer locked into single-purpose rooms. If a classroom needs to serve a different course tomorrow or scale up for a guest speaker, we can do that without new infrastructure," said Forster.
"We are delighted to have supported John Abbott College with this project. At its heart, Kramer technology is about improving and enhancing people's lives, and it's fantastic to see students enjoying the benefit of smart simplicity and seamless integration," said Jesse Gadon, Vice President of Sales, North America, Kramer.
