The College of New Jersey Empowers Remote Learning with ClearOne Solutions

The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) partners with ClearOne to enhance remote learning accessibility by implementing their audio solutions across campus.

FREMONT, CA: "When COVID threw a wrench into in-person classes, we quickly recognized the need to develop hybrid learning environments that support the ongoing success of our staff and students," said Director of User Support Services Jon Bannan. "The most critical need we identified was that any solution must be dead simple to operate, or otherwise risk introducing interruptions and frustration into educators' daily schedules. The ClearOne COLLABORATE® Versa„¢ Lite CT system stood out as a high-performing solution that's compatible with virtually any computer, mobile device, or collaboration platform, making it easy to deploy in multi-use spaces that host different educators throughout the day."

With a focus on delivering superior audio capture, The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)'s Office of Media and Technology Support Services (MTSS) reveals collaboration with ClearOne to roll out ClearOne solutions campus-wide, providing educators with reliable, user-friendly technologies that elevate remote learning experiences.

The COLLABORATE Versa Lite CT system, featuring the ClearOne BMA CT beamforming microphone, seamlessly blends with drop ceilings. This system offers exceptional audio pickup and clarity. The ClearOne Versa USB Hub simplifies the connection of AV peripherals and computers, while advanced features like acoustic echo cancellation and adaptive steering optimize microphone pickup based on the speaker's location.

As part of the installation of 53 Versa Lite CT systems in small- and medium-sized classrooms, MTSS has incorporated a variety of camera solutions that automatically track the speaker as they move about the room. With the adaptive steering capability of the BMA CT, these systems provide educators with maximum flexibility while maintaining consistent audio and video quality for remote learners despite stepping away from the front of the room. Most rooms also have projection systems, and some have digital displays.

"Three years after we began this project, we would be hard-pressed to find a student, parent or educator who expects anything less - its essentially a requirement now," Bannan explained. "In the competitive college landscape, staying ahead of technology trends is vital to achieve enrollment goals and provide all students equitable access regardless of individual situations or external disruptions. Additionally, using the same solutions across campus has raised the tech confidence of staff. It offers a simple, intuitive setup that even guest speakers or event hosts can operate with ease."

Building on the success of the Versa Lite CT, MTSS turned its attention to the college's lecture halls. To provide the same simplicity and quality for larger classes, the tech team developed a solution utilizing multiple BMA 360 ceiling microphones and a Converge® Pro 2 DSP mixer combined with various tracking cameras. This configuration ensures comprehensive coverage for larger rooms, accommodating up to 12 additional microphones for panel discussions and multi-speaker scenarios. Simplifying system design, the BMA 360 allows easy daisy-chaining of up to three units using P-Link, requiring only a single home run cable to the DSP.

"The College of New Jersey moved deftly to provide all stakeholders with the latest innovative solutions for remote learning and hybrid classrooms, and their efforts to standardize the campus technology are already paying dividends for staff and guests," said ClearOne Regional Sales Director Jason DiCampello. "The need for reliable, high-quality audio and video solutions in education is only going to grow, and we look forward to continuing to work with TCNJ to provide long-lasting solutions that support staff and help the college meet its goals."