Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1414667
18 I ICT TODAY CONCLUSION Although many office workers, students, and faculty have returned to their cubicles and classrooms full time, there is still a sizeable contingent opting to work from home at least part-time. Some—both local and distant—may never return to the old ways. Future generations may never see the inside of an office or a classroom. Time will tell. Those returning to their workplaces and campuses are seeing major and perhaps lasting changes: social distancing, occupancy limits, modified room layouts, sanitization requirements facilitated and enforced by on-screen messaging, and frequent cleaning of gathering spaces. Video conferencing remains indispensable for collaboration and connecting people in and out of the office or classroom. Low-touch and no-touch AV and room control functions using multiple technology enablers, including occupancy sensing, control from BYOD devices, and wireless connectivity, continue to gain popularity as people realize that such measures are enhancing their health and general well-being. The ICT and AV technology innovations described in this article played significant roles in helping businesses and educational institutions weather some trying times and will continue to make life better for workers, students, business leaders, and educational administrators well into the future. AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY: Anthony Cortes is the director of sales and marketing, Education Classroom Systems for Extron. He is the key individual in the development and execution of class- room system programs at Extron and has spent the last 15 years focused on the education market. Anthony's extensive work with universities and education resellers gives him a unique perspective on the current state and the future direction of classroom AV systems. He can be reached at acortes@extron.com. REFERENCES: 1. "Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), https://www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building- facility.html, 15 June, 2021. Get real-time, real-world learning with BICSI Virtual Classroom Training.