Class room

A set-up was created to use the Service Building as a classroom for teaching purposes. The main feature of the system is a big screen mounted in the service building where the dual-screen of the data acquisition computer in the telescope control room is reproduced `life' using two projectors. In this way, a big group in the service building can follow what is happening in the control, including verbal explanations, without interfering with the observers in the control room. In the service building we have provided tables and chairs adapted to the available space. As part of the system we also added microphones and web-cameras so that a good impression can be obtained of what happens in the control room and to allow for communication between the control room and the service building, but this latter part needs to be improved.

The system was first tried during the DARS PhD course and the following Master student course during the Copenhagen guaranteed time, both in August. In general, the experience was very positive, but a more extensive evaluation will be made together with the organisers of the course. In the mean time, we also have used the same set-up with the projectors for night visits by large groups of Icelandic astronomy students and Finnish high school students such that they could get an impression of observing while minimising any interference with observations.

What is clear is that having a total in the order of 12 students plus tutors is the maximum that fits in reasonable in the control room and service building during night time and allow for work of the whole group in the service building in daytime.