• Level 1 Mediated Classroom - Currently 37 former Tier 3s (plus 2 Tier 2s, 10 Tier 1s)
    Smart classrooms with access to a wide range of technology
  • Level 2 Mediated Classroom – Currently 14 former Tier 0s
    Classrooms for faculty who have a laptop or need to show basic media
  • Level 3 Classroom – All other classrooms
    Media can be delivered on a case-by-case basis, determined by departmental policy
  • Mediated Community Space – Currently 5 spaces fit this definition
    A place where clubs, organizations, or informal groups can use technology & media
  • Mediated Departmental Space – Currently 11 spaces fit this definition
    Locations with special or specific functions that serve the needs of a particular department, funded and operated by that department
  • Casual Media Locations – Currently 10 spaces fit this definition
    These range from lounge TVs to collaborative workspaces to digital signage.

These categories, in broad strokes, outline a structure of how we can support the diverse needs of the campus community. Each one has an intentional purpose, a support methodology, a fiscal implication, and a logistical reality. Topics for each category are covered below. The T.I.L.E.s Team (formerly the TEC & Installed AV team) is responsible for working with all known learning spaces on campus. The number of current spaces for the non-classroom categories is subjective; each existing space would be evaluated and categorized as appropriate. Along with the Faculty Lab, this team will engage with Faculty to understand how they are teaching, and work collaboratively with them to develop ideas on why media and technology could be used to enhance the learning experience.

Level 1 Mediated Classroom
Intended Purpose:
A Level 1 classroom (formerly Tiers 1, 2, and 3) enables faculty to bring any kind of technology or media they require into their class. These rooms support a wide variety of media and technology to enhance the in-class experience. This is the most common type of classroom available, and incorporates a Crestron touch screen control system into the room. It has a cabinet which contains a networked desktop PC, a VCR/DVD, an LCD projector, sound support, and a motorized screen. The control system allows faculty to manage these capabilities with easily understandable functions.
Support Methodology:
Academic classes have access to the 1-ITS hotline during published hours. Paying events (based on the Media Services Fees) have access to the MRC Event hotline. Regular preventative maintenance checks are performed by TILEs staff.
Logistical Realities:
Currently, Drew offers Tier 1, 2, and 3 classrooms. Tiers 2 and 3 can be condensed, and in the near future enough Tier 1s will have been upgraded so that they can be considered an exception and not their own category. All current Tier 1 and 2 classrooms will be upgraded to Level 1 over the next several years.

Level 2 Mediated Classroom
Intended Purpose:
Level 2 classrooms (formerly Tier 0) are designed to offer faculty basic media support in situations where a full Level 1 setup is neither feasible nor necessary. These rooms have a data projector mounted in the ceiling projecting on a motorized screen and a place to plug in a laptop and an A/V source such as a DVD/VCR. Most Level 2s have sound amplification, and the volume is controlled by the projector remote. Faculty who have a laptop, or need only to show the occasional movie or video clip, can effectively use the technology in these rooms to aid their teaching. Different classrooms offer varying levels of support for student laptop usage, but Level 2 rooms are ideal for faculty who have laptops and use them for media support.
Support Methodology:
Academic classes have access to the 1-ITS hotline during published hours. Paying events (based on the Media Services Fees) have access to the MRC Event hotline. Regular preventative maintenance checks are performed by TILEs staff.
Logistical Realities:
Level 2 classrooms will always have a place, as not all rooms are appropriate for Level 1. Many of these rooms are tucked away in corners of academic buildings or other odd locations, and more effort needs to be put into the integration of aesthetics and technology.

Mediated Community Space
Intended Purpose:
Drew offers numerous events outside of or supplemental to the academic curriculum which serve to enhance and further the overall mission of the University. Just as academic classes need Mediated Classrooms, these events often require media and technology in a variety of forms. This category is for spaces like UC-104 and the McLendon formal lounge that can be used by anyone to present, collaborate, or engage with the Drew community. These spaces are available for both classes and events to encourage learning, be it social, academic or otherwise “outside the box” of the traditional classroom. Spaces like this will become more prevalent as more community areas are renovated.
Support Methodology:
Paying events have access to the MRC Event hotline. Regularly scheduled meetings of academic classes will have access to the 1-ITS hotline for any support needs in these spaces. Monthly preventative maintenance checks are performed by TILEs staff.
Logistical Realities:
This type of space can be quite varied in nature so no single cost for installation and annual maintenance can be given. However, all existing spaces will be grandfathered into either this category or the next as determined by University officials or the primary customers of the space. Any entity wishing to create a new such space will work with ITS to secure funding appropriate to the needs – both immediate and for ongoing maintenance (support) into the future.

Mediated Departmental Space
Intended Purpose:
The primary differentiation between a Mediated Departmental Space and a Community Space (as above) is the control of the space and the funding model for the purchase, maintenance, and replacement of equipment. Whereas Community spaces are funded by ITS and thus subject to usage fees by Media Services, Departmental Spaces are funded and controlled by a particular department. The TILEs team will consult with the relevant department(s) on all matters related to AV installation and maintenance as needed, but funding for the initial project as well as maintenance must be secured by the department.
Support Methodology:
Support will be provided by the TILEs team to a designated contact on a best-effort, non-emergency basis. Events for which Media Services is requested to deliver/set-up equipment may use the MRC Event Hotline for those set-ups/deliveries (which have costs in accordance with published fee schedules). All other uses are the responsibility of the department in question.
Logistical Realities:
Many departments have spaces they prefer to schedule internally, without going through the MRC. In these cases, the TILEs team will simply help as needed or requested, depending on availability of resources.

Casual Media Locations
Intended Purpose:
Spaces in this category are becoming more popular as dorms and lounges are renovated. These serve as standalone installations that are generally not scheduled, and are available on a first-come, first served bases to any who want to use them. They can be used by groups, students, or as events venues. From a TV in a lounge with a laptop input to the Video Lounge in McLendon, these spaces primarily foster student interaction and do not require any formal support.
Support Methodology:
The TILEs team will respond to reports of equipment failure on a best-effort basis
Logistical Realities:
These are low profile, low maintenance spaces. They are meant to be completely self-service and should not need any regular attention.

“Best Effort” Support
This term is a generic category implying a level of support. In this document, it means that time and resources will be allocated to such situations where ever possible, but not to conflict with high demand services. Issues in classrooms and 1-ITS/MRC Hotline calls are given priority.