If your course has a face-to-face component, it can be worthwhile to find your classroom(s) before the start of term to become familiar with the setup, technology, and specialized equipment or tools you will be using.

Most classrooms are unlocked during the day and do not require card access. Specialized rooms (e.g., labs, kitchens, shop rooms) typically require that your School set up access through your ID card. If you are unable to get into a room that you should have access to, notify your school, but you can also request that Campus Security provide you with emergency access.

Standard Classroom and Equipment

Most classrooms have whiteboards, digital podiums, and a video data projector (VDP).

If you are going to use the whiteboards, you will need to bring dry-erase markers and erasers. These materials are typically available in your School/Campus office. Your academic manager or the Assistant or Customer Support Representative in your School/Campus can explain how to request, access, or use these or other standard office supplies. Please erase any writing on the boards before leaving the classroom.

The classroom podium has a computer that you can access with your Fanshawe username and password, or you can connect your own device to the podium. The digital podium will send audio and video from the selected source to the VDP screen to display your presentations, documents, videos, etc. for all students to see.

For guidance on using the digital podium, including connecting your own device, refer to the general High Tech Classroom Guide (PDF). If your room has a different podium design or a wireless setup, you can view a short video walkthrough for any of these through the Podium Playlist.

If you have any problems with the classroom technology while you are teaching, contact the IT Service Desk so that an IT employee can assist you. Most classrooms have a phone you can use to call IT, and there is an IT Service Desk ‘Live Help’ bottom on the desktop of the classroom computer. They are also available through these contact methods:

As you continue to gain experience as a teacher, you will come to appreciate that the best laid plans will occasionally not go as intended, and this can be particularly true when working with technology. In the worst-case scenario, it can be beneficial to have a “plan B” lesson or activity to avoid the unexpected loss of learning time. In any case, please remember that the class must end on time so that students can proceed to their next course and so that the next group can enter the learning space.

Specialized Space and Equipment

If you are teaching in a specialized space (e.g., lab, shop, kitchen), you will be provided with a tour and introduced to the Technician(s) and/or Manager(s) responsible for those spaces during your School/Campus-specific on-boarding and orientation activities. You will also be informed if you need to complete any additional health and safety or equipment-specific training to be able to work in these spaces.