CTOUCH displays in the seminar rooms of the Phil-Turm

The CTOUCH Riva R2 displays with touch function can be found as standard in the seminar rooms in the Philturm and GW buildings. They can be used, for example, to display presentations, as a digital board or whiteboard, flipchart and moderation wall.

A mini-PC (“Fully Managed Device”, FMD for short) (available in German) and a “Logitech MeetUp” conference system are permanently installed on the CTOUCH. A connection to the Internet cannot be established via the CTOUCH display itself, but is possible via the connected mini-PC or with a separate, external laptop. Only connect your laptop via the already connected HDMI cable and refrain from removing or replacing the cable.

The big advantage of the devices is the touch function: via finger or with the CTOUCH pen displayed in the room. This makes it possible to work interactively and presentationally with different tools.

You can create and edit content on the display using the CTOUCH pen or by touching it with your finger. As with conventional whiteboards, you can use a variety of methods. In addition, functions such as the insertion of images, videos, diagrams and interactive elements enable multimedia-based preparation of the learning material. Depending on the scenario, different tools are available for using a digital whiteboard on the CTOUCH.

1. With the mini-PC:
   Once you have logged on to the mini-PC, you can use the UHH tool Collaboard (see also: What is “Collaboard”?) in the browser, for example, to display a whiteboard and write on it. Alternatively, you can prepare PowerPoint slides so that you can use them methodically like a whiteboard (see also: How can I add handwritten notes to my PowerPoint slides on CTOUCH?) In OpenOlat courses, you can create a whiteboard with the integrated function of “draw.io”.
   
   
2. With your own external laptop:
   If you are using an external laptop, connect it to the CTOUCH via HDMI and USB-A cable - you may need an adapter for this. You can then also use programs such as Xournal ++ (see also: What is “Xournal++”?), PowerPoint and browser-based Collaboard or your learning platform to write digitally by hand on the CTOUCH.

Collaboard is a browser-based whiteboard with functions for mind maps, visualizations and collaborative work on the touchscreen and from all end devices (laptop, tablet, etc.). The UHH provides Collaboard licenses for students and employees.

To be able to write on Collaboard with a finger or pen on the CTOUCH, you must activate the “Drawing mode” in the top right-hand corner of the tool. In addition to being used as a classic whiteboard, Collaboard can also be used for presentations, projects, group work, voting and much more. You can then save results and board images as a PDF or text using the export function. Students can also use Collaboard and, for example, create their own projects with the basic features. Further information on Collaboard and instructions on how to log in can be found on our website under “other tools” (available in German) .

Excalidraw is a web-based tool for digital whiteboards that can be accessed via a browser. In teaching, it offers the possibility to quickly and easily create visualisations, diagrams or sketches. It is open source, privacy-friendly and can be used without registration. Excalidraw can thus promote interactive learning and visual exchange at CTOUCH.

Tip: You can also create an Excalidraw whiteboard in your usual UHHCloud. Instructions and further information can be found in our "Tip of the Month".

Xournal++ is a software for (handwritten) notes, drawings and annotations that requires a download. The tool allows you to annotate PDFs and write on the CTOUCH displays with your finger or pen. This allows you to use Xournal++ as a digital whiteboard for collaborative work in the seminar. The tool is also versatile and can be used for digital notes, partially prepared scripts and interactive presentations. You can find more information and download options on the official Xournal++ website (external link). For your personal laptop, the download is possible via the RRZ service portal.

The guide "Digital Whiteboards (CTOUCH)" from HUL (created by Gunda Mohr) presents opportunities and challenges in the use of CTOUCH displays and then outlines some usage scenarios. The focus is on didactic planning. In addition, technical information on the required hardware and software is provided.

In PowerPoint presentation mode, you have the option of creating a so-called “freehand annotation”. You can use a virtual pen and highlighter in different colors as well as an eraser. After finishing the presentation, you can choose whether or not to save the annotations you have made. If required, please refer to the instructions from Microsoft (available in German).

If you “just quickly” need a whiteboard in your presentation to collect handwritten notes, you can add a blank slide and use the “Draw” tab on the touch display to write, draw and highlight. However, this only works if the slide is not in presentation mode. If required, you can find instructions from the provider Microsoft here (available in German).

The mini-PC is located at the back of the CTOUCH. It is a small Windows PC from DELL, which is operated as an FMD. All UHH members can log in to it with their B-ID. The Microsoft programs PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Teams as well as Zoom, VLC Player, QPilot and OpenBoard are installed on the mini-PCs. You have Internet access via the browser so that you can use the learning management systems and browser-based UHH services.

With the mini-PC, you can use the connected Logitech MeetUp for video conferencing and hybrid teaching scenarios (see also: How can I implement hybrid teaching with the CTOUCH?).

After using the mini-PC, you do not switch it off, but simply log out so that the next person can use the PC.

The “Logitech MeetUp” video conferencing system is permanently installed with the mini-PC, which is connected to the CTOUCH. After logging in to the mini-PC, the camera and microphone are automatically recognized by programs such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. The Logitech MeetUp can be supplemented with an external microphone.

A handout on the most important functions of Logitech MeetUp and recommended settings in Zoom can be found on our website (PDF)(available in German).

Hybrid teaching combines face-to-face teaching with digital elements, with some students in the classroom and others online. To use the Logitech MeetUp conference system for hybrid teaching, log in to the CTOUCH's internal mini-PC. There you can use the Zoom or Teams programs for online meetings. To check and, if necessary, change the camera settings, use the corresponding remote control for Logitech MeetUps, which you can borrow from your responsible office.

The HUL provides didactic tips on synchronous hybrid teaching as self-study material. (available German)

„Basisordner K:“represents your personal directory on the UHHDisk (available in German) on Fully Manged Devices (FMD) (available in German). You have 50 GB of storage space at your disposal. You can access the files stored there online via any UHH PC on which you log in with your B-ID. This means that the files can also be accessed after restarting the PC or when changing computers within the university. You can find further information on the “Basisordner K:” on the RRZ website (available in German).

The UHHDisk includes both personal directories (K:) and storage areas that are set up for working groups and projects (Z:) or are used for general data exchange.

In our troubleshooting overview, you will find solutions for most issues that may occur with CTOUCH. Additionally, please report your problems through the IT support form.