Ritsumeikan University
Kinugasa Campus
March 2021
Kyoto, Japan
Challenge
To create a learning space that enhances learning effectiveness, in the process of renovating the lecture hall building
Solutions
Panasonic's sound and video solutions provide comfortable sound and video displays that can be easily seen from every corner of the classroom
Background of System Installation
Renovating lecture halls to suit increasingly diverse learning methods
Ritsumeikan University's sprawling Kinugasa Campus houses roughly 35 buildings. In the past, each building has had partial renovations on its systems every few years or so, but in March 2021, Keimeikan, which is primarily used by the College of Letters, underwent a full renewal. It was a comprehensive, large-scale renewal that meets the needs of modern education methods, such as installing flexible classrooms that will accommodate not only traditional lectures but also active learning-style classes.
Reasons for System Installation
A total audio and video solution that can improve learning efficiency
What was required when it came time for renovations was a sound system that would convey sound to all corners of the classroom in an easily audible manner and a video system that would allow us to conduct classes that are effective and easy to observe. For the speakers, RAMSA speakers were selected for their ability to build a phase-aligned, uniform environment using acoustic simulation software. As for the microphones, they went with wireless microphone systems in the 1.9 GHz and 800 MHz bands, which are noted for their lightness and ease of use. For the video system, an LCD Laser Projector and LCD display, which have always been evaluated very highly, were adopted, and for classrooms where group discussion is required, the PressIT Wireless Presentation System, which allows materials to be projected with one click of a PC mouse, was introduced. The smooth screen-sharing contributes to active discussion.
Effects Achieved by System Installation
Sound System
(Ceiling Embedded) WS-AC066
Building a uniform sound environment using PASD acoustic simulation software
A total of eight ceiling-mounted RAMSA Near Field Speaker Series units are installed in the 121-seat medium-sized classrooms. Two 16-cm 2-Way Speakers were placed in the front, and two in the rear. These ensure that the sound reaches the entirety of the large classroom. Two more Ceiling Embedded Speakers of the same series were installed to cover the central part of the classroom. For fold back speakers, two 10-cm 2-Way Speakers were installed on the podium. We talked to Kurashina from the Information System Department, who was in charge of the renovation of Keimeikan.
"We were initially thinking about speakers made by a different company, but then I was invited to a RAMSA listening session. I was incredibly surprised, upon hearing the Near Field Speakers, at how much sound could come out of such small speakers. I heard that this sound could be produced by tuning with RAMSA's own acoustic simulation software, PASD, and thought 'We really have to get this at Keimeikan.'"
PASD is free software for RAMSA that examines the position and angle of speakers based on three-dimensional CAD data of the space in question, and automatically generates FIR filters to allow tuning. Regarding PASD, Kurashina had this to say: "I was truly shocked that FIR filters, which sound engineers put a lot of effort into learning, could be generated automatically. Now it's possible to create a phase-matched uniform atmosphere, reproducing the level of a large concert hall or sports stadium within a classroom environment! The difference between before and after we actually applied the FIR filters is so incredible: it's like night and day. While line array speakers would have improved clarity, students listening for an entire class period of 90 minutes would likely suffer fatigue from listening to them, which we didn't want. I'm glad that we were able to create an environment where the sound can be heard from each seat throughout the room by suppressing reflected sound in a space with so many seats, without using line arrays. I feel like we've found one solution to the problem of how to produce comfortable sound."
The Wireless Microphone System's light weight and ease of use contribute to smoother classes
A number of wireless microphone systems have also been installed during this renovation. The 1.9 GHz band (DECT-compliant system) WX-SR200A Series was installed in Learning Studio, which is mainly for group discussions, with the 800 MHz band being used for the medium-sized classrooms.
"The DECT system doesn't require a channel plan and allows up to 16 microphones to be used on a single system, so we use it in classes with multiple speakers, such as those involving group discussion. Over the course of a 90-minute class, even a slight weight can lead to fatigue, so it is common for lecturers to gradually let the microphone slip away from their mouths. The Panasonic wireless microphones are incredibly light, and even holding them up for a long time the sound can continue to be reliably picked up. Additionally, in the existing system the microphones were not properly connected to chargers and so they would run out of energy and become unusable during the following class; the new contact-free charging system allows the microphones to be charged by just placing them on top of the chargers, which eliminates this concern."
Wireless Presentation System PressIT
The HDMI connection allows for instantaneous, stress-free sharing of materials
A total of 21 units* of PressIT, the Wireless Presentation System that allows users to easily share their screens by just connecting it to a PC, were installed in Learning Studio. This is how Kurashina evaluates PressIT's ease of use:
"With PressIT, we can share screens without having to move seats around to hook up various cables, making it particularly useful for group discussions where there are multiple presenters. We have used a similar system in the past, but we experienced various problems, such as needing to install and load the software, the USB connection meaning that updating the OS on the device end resulted in the system becoming unusable, and so on. PressIT uses a USB connection exclusively for battery charging purposes, with the image and sound signal instead being connected by HDMI, so it is not affected by the PC version?all you have to do is plug it in! Additionally, in situations where we have guests from corporations or government offices give lectures, sometimes they bring PCs that have high security requirements, and it is prohibited to insert USB devices: since PressIT can be used even in such circumstances, this was another major advantage."
* This is the number of transmitters.
LCD Laser Projector / LCD Display
Bright, clear projection contributes to the kind of operation specifically necessary for a university
In medium-sized classrooms, one 10,000-lm PT-MZ10KJL LCD Laser Projector was installed on each end of the blackboard, projecting onto a 120-inch screen.
"We selected these projectors based on their being able to guarantee a brightness that is easy to see even without turning the lights off," says Kurashina. "Many of our lecturers teach with both the blackboard and the projector, so we wanted to make it so they wouldn't need to be turning the lights on and off in the middle of class. On top of that, the old projectors needed a good 10 or 20 minutes to restart, so if they were switched off at the end of one class they couldn't be used immediately at the start of the next class.
The Laser Projectors from Panasonic are extremely quick to start up, so they can be used whenever the lecturer wants to use them. They're really revolutionary projectors."
Displays are arranged according to the size of the classroom, to reach all the way to the students in the back
In the medium-sized classrooms, we installed two 55-v 4K UHD LCD Display TH-55EQ1J units for the rear seats, from which it is difficult to see the screen.
"Panasonic offers a wide range of sizes, and above all, the low glare has been especially highly evaluated. We sometimes show the seating chart during exams, and even the smallest letters are clearly visible!"
Comments from the Deputy Manager
Bringing an immersive class experience to the classroom
With the introduction of online classes as a result of societal circumstances, thanks to the efforts of the lecturers, we have heard positive feedback from both students and faculty regarding the positive points of online classes, with things like two-way communication through chat, screen-sharing, breaking into groups, and making it easier for individuals to speak up. On the other hand, we want students to experience a real classroom environment in order to fully utilize what's great about the university. Now that we are in an era in which more and more young people have an innate understanding of online technology, we want the classroom to be a space that is no less fascinating than their normal online activity, and we need to eliminate the boundaries between the two. Now more than ever before, it is necessary to produce sound and picture with higher quality and ease of use. PressIT is the best solution for this challenge, as it allows screen-sharing at a speed that will not hinder online communication. The sound system, which achieves sound that is easily discerned, contributes to a friendly classroom environment that does not hinder concentration.
It is my hope that the system we have now introduced will make the students think "These classrooms are really great." I also hope that we can provide them with the kind of immersive experience they normally get at a movie theater, where, once the class has ended, they suddenly find themselves drawn back into the real world.
Learning Studio PressIT setup diagram
Sample sound system layout for a medium-sized classroom
Ritsumeikan University Kinugasa Campus
Creating a world-class campus
Ritsumeikan University, aiming to create a world-class campus, has been working on a campus development plan for around 10 years, with the plan looking forward around 30 years in the future. The renewal of Kinugasa Campus's Keimeikan was a major renovation to follow the completion of Seishinkan in March 2020.
http://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/
Equipment installed
- Wireless Presentation System PressIT
TY-WPS1 x 3 set - Wireless Presentation System PressIT
TY-WPB1 x 9 - Wireless Presentation System PressIT
TY-WPBC1x 6 - LCD Projector
PT-MZ10KLx 6 - Zoom Lens
ET-EMS600 x 6 - 4K UHD LCD Display
TH-55EQ1x 18 - LCD Projector
PT-VMZ60 x 6 - Sound System
