The Robert H. Smith Audio-Visual Learning Center, which was established in 1987, was made possible through the generosity of Mr. Robert H. Smith, a former Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The aim of the Center is to improve teaching methods and give faculty and students access to modern pedagogical tools. The facilities and equipment available are amongst the most advanced of their kind, and they emphasize the uniqueness of the Center.

Among the enormous advantages that the Center offers are:

• Close-circuit broadcasting of lectures to other rooms when the lecture hall cannot accommodate all the students.

• Taping of lectures for students unable to attend class due to army reserve duty or prolonged illness; for new immigrants with language difficulties; and for all students for revision of lectures before their exams.  At present the video library contains 2500 video films, which have been produced or edited by the Center's staff and which can be viewed at 11 study carrels.

•  Filming of complicated experiments and rare field phenomena as well as field trips.

• Close-circuit systems for teacher training, including an observation room.

•  Group demonstration of high-quality microscopy.

•  Teaching computer programming and data processing to large audiences.

•  Availability of fixed and portable projectors capable of projecting images or films from a computer or from a VCR, with possible connection to the University's network, enabling lecturers to display multimedia courses prepared and stored on central computers.

In addition to the teaching activities held on a regular basis, the Center is also frequently used for various other one-time lectures and exercises, and also for national and international meetings, workshops, seminars and conferences. Outside organizations, such as local community groups, can also make use of the Center's facilities by special arrangement.

The original Center comprised two audio-visual classrooms, a technical studio, and a room for viewing video films. Mr. Smith's generosity enabled the recent expansion of the Center by the construction of two additional audio-visual classrooms. These have been carefully designed for both lectures and group work. A one-way mirror separates the two adjoining rooms, enabling one room to be utilized as a much-needed observation room.

Future enhancements planned for the Center include providing lecturers with tools to easily create their own multimedia teaching aids, in universally accessible digital formats for use in lecture halls, classrooms and off campus.

With the increasing demand for the services and facilities provided by the Center, it is hoped that an additional six classrooms will be equipped with audio-visual equipment and affiliated to the Robert H. Smith Audio-Visual Learning Center.

To contact us:
Telephone: 08-9481939/8
Fax: 08-9364002
Staff: Dudu Regev, Arie Zanzuri