Computer Lecterns Key Terms

Understand the terms you'll encounter when evaluating computer lecterns

As more and more speakers use computer technology in their presentations, you'll find more lecterns with features to accommodate such technology. Computer lecterns often look like traditional lecterns from the audience's perspective, but have special designs to hold many computer-related gadgets.

Modern lecterns have many features and parts that assist those using computers when they speak. A speaker might want to tie the microphone into his computer system or use a document camera to show the audience a picture from a book. A computer lectern might have a shelf for a projector, a monitor trough and a power strip, among other features.

 

Microphone

Many lecterns have built-in microphones or microphone jacks to connect to one or more microphones. If you want to broadcast sound from your computer, or record your lecture onto your computer, look for special connections that will allow this.
Try: Musicansbuy.com offers lectern microphones and provides a description of its features.

Line-in and line-out connectors

Line-in and line-out connectors are ways to connect a device such as a CD player or your computer to your lectern's speakers. Use the line-in connection to plug in an audio source and play it over the speakers. Use the line-out connection to plug in a recording device that will record your lecture when you speak into the lectern's microphone.
Try: Read about line-in and line-out connectors for your lectern when you visit Audio Links Services.

Document camera

A document camera is a small camera that allows you to display any paper or book onto a viewing screen, using computer technology. You can use this type of technology with the smart boards that are popular in educational fields, or you can use it with a regular LCD projector or TV. Many computer presentation lecterns have this option.
Try: Check out a description of a document camera at SMART Technologies, which offers many gadgets that assist with presentations and lectures.

Multimedia shelves

Computer lecterns often have special shelves for various types of multimedia equipment. A slide out shelf slides out and often locks in place, so it won't move while you're using it. A fold-down shelf folds down against the side of the lectern while not in use. You could use either style to hold a laptop or a projector.
Try: To check out examples of computer lecterns with different styles of multimedia shelves, visit Amplivox.

Monitor trough

Some lecterns come with a platform specifically designed for a computer monitor to sit at the back, sometimes to one side. The area for the monitor is often lower than the rest of the surface and goes by the name monitor trough.
Try: View illustrations of various lectern top configurations that will accommodate a computer monitor by visiting AvinED Technical Furnishings.

Power strip

A power strip contains several power outlets in one device, so that you can plug the computer into one outlet and still have power for several devices. You can find power strips mounted or built into computer lecterns to make it easier to use electronic devices.
Try: At the website of Capital Community College, you can view an example of a computer lectern that has space for several devices and that includes a power strip.

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