44 Classrooms upgraded across UCC to support accessible learning and teaching

2 Oct 2025

Throughout Summer 2025, a major suite of enhancements has taken place across University College Cork (UCC) teaching estate. A total of 44 rooms have undergone upgrades. These upgrades are part of UCC's ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive and accessible learning and teaching environment. IT Services led out on these upgrades, made possible through funding from Access UCC, and in collaboration with Buildings & Estates and the Centre for Digital Education. 

About the classroom upgrades

High-quality microphones have been installed to capture the lecturers voice more clearly at the lectern and teaching area, removing the need for wearable or handheld mics. This allows the lecturer to move and teach more freely, with new cameras automatically tracking and recording you only when UCC Replay (Panopto) is scheduled or when using MS Teams. The new camera tracks lecturers as they move on the stage. 

Other enhancements include new speakers, new cameras, several new teaching podiums, as well as new displays in many rooms. IT Services are also rehousing any of the existing functional equipment from these rooms to improve the learning and teaching experience across other areas of campus.

Students will benefit from clearer in-room audio via new speakers, and improved sound and visuals in lecture recordings.

Watch our short video to learn more about the upgrades and how they support a more inclusive learning and teaching environment for everyone.

Feature image credit: Deirdre Keane, IT Services 
Video credit: Max Bell, UCCTV and Deirdre Keane