Every Sacramento State classroom could someday be a “smart room” ? equipped with Internet access, projectors and VCRs to assist students and faculty with course materials.

The high-tech rooms would give faculty the ability to integrate PowerPoint presentations, Web sites and video material into their classes, all through the use of a laptop computer.

It?s an ongoing project by the Department of University Media Services to update Sac State?s classrooms with the latest technology.

The “smart room” concept was first introduced five years ago and began by upgrading large lecture halls.

But demand for the high-tech rooms has spread quickly, said Denis Ramos, with the Sac State Department of Space Management.

“We?ve had a great demand for these rooms,” Ramos said. “They?re really popular among faculty.”

Of the 180 classrooms and laboratories on campus, 144 have been upgraded with the new technology.

“Over the past couple years we?ve seen a big push to get these rooms setup for teachers,” said Louise Scanland, supervisor of Classroom and Technology Services. “We?re seeing a lot of teachers taking advantage of this technology and (they) are finding it to be a helpful method with different parts of their curriculum.”

The rooms don?t come cheap. The average upgrade ? including a LiquidCrystal Display projector and screen, VCR, Internet hook-up, installation and renovation costs ? runs between $10,000 and $12,000.

Funding for the rooms comes from the California State University chancellor?s office and a combination of Lottery money, Sac State campus funds and specific department money.

Choosing which rooms to upgrade has been one of the most challenging aspects of the ongoing project, as campus officials weigh the size and shape of the room and the materials needed to upgrade it when choosing the most cost-effective project, said Gary Dunham, manager of Operations and Technical Services.

“There are a lot of older buildings on campus that are more difficult to upgrade and cost a lot more to convert,” he said. “So we?ve tried to get the so-called ?easy? rooms converted before we touch the harder ones.”

Ramos? office asks each college to list five choices for upgrades. A panel then tries to accommodate the first two choices for each school and, if there are remaining funds, upgrade additional classrooms.

The academic departments also pay for some of the installation, allowing Ramos? staff to stretch their funds to convert an additional 24 rooms.

The teachers aren?t the only ones demanding the upgraded rooms.

Students said they learn and retain class material better in “smart rooms.”

“It?s more visual, and I?m a visual learner, so it really helps to have the material up on a big screen while my teacher lectures over it,” junior Lisa Quaresma said. “I think I remember the information better that way.”

The Media Services Department is confident that they will have continued success with the integration of Smart Rooms, and look forward toconverting all campus rooms within the next few years. They said it was just a matter of time and money to upgrade all rooms.

“These rooms allow the sharing of information, and there is an infinite amount of it out there,” Dunham said. “We?re thrilled to give people the tools that suit their needs and are beneficial to students.”