Creating an Interactive Virtual Classroom Experience
In 2012, when the Harvard Business School (HBS) approached McCann Systems’ Boston office about creating a more engaging remote classroom experience, distance learning technology was still in its infancy. Standard videoconferencing couldn’t replicate the dynamic interaction of HBS’s renowned case method teaching style, and platforms like Zoom were just getting started. The challenge was significant: create a virtual classroom that could host 60 remote students simultaneously, provide perspective-based video and audio for each participant, and allow professors to teach naturally as if in a physical classroom. What followed was an innovative journey that would transform virtual education through the development of Proscenium—a groundbreaking solution that made remote participants feel like they were sitting in the actual classroom. In this post, we’ll cover the history of Proscenium to show how we arrived at the present. In the next post in this space, we’ll cover how we’re reimagining Proscenium for a future where distance learning and virtual classrooms are the norm rather than the exception. Please keep reading!
SEE ALSO: Case Study: HBX Live Virtual Classroom
Understanding the Experience
Before diving into technical solutions, our team knew we needed to truly understand what made the Harvard Business School classroom experience unique. They attended multiple classes, observing how professors commanded the room like performers on a stage. These weren’t static lecturers tied to a podium—professors moved throughout the space, engaging with students across the amphitheater-style classroom, pointing across the room to encourage discussion, and creating dynamic interactions that kept students fully engaged.
Standard videoconferencing solutions of the time would have confined professors to sitting at a desk, speaking into a webcam—essentially stripping away everything that made the HBS teaching method special. The team realized they needed to build something entirely different: a solution that would preserve the professor’s natural teaching style while giving remote students an immersive, front-row experience.
Our team worked with Harvard to develop a dynamic system that could handle simultaneous peer-to-peer video connections, provide perspective-based video and directional audio for each participant, and create an equitable experience for both professors and students. Instead of using a single server to manage all connections—which would make a single point of failure—we designed a distributed system where each participant had their own unique connection to the classroom. It required a significant amount of equipment, as cloud technology for this approach was still in its nascent stages.
Building the Solution
Our team started with an innovative approach to video and audio. Each student’s position on a large video wall would have a dedicated speaker placed directly beneath their video feed, so their voice would come from their exact location in the virtual classroom. For professors, this meant they could pinpoint and engage with students naturally, just as they would in a physical classroom.
To create a truly immersive experience, the team went beyond simple video feeds. They installed multiple cameras throughout the room to give remote students different perspectives of the space. Students could switch views to see the classroom from various angles, helping them feel oriented in the space just as they would when physically present. This was essential for creating the spatial awareness that makes in-person learning so effective.
The first proof of concept was built at WGBH Studios, a quick hop away from the HBS campus in Boston. Rather than starting small, the team built a full-scale mock-up with 12 active video feeds (using McCann staff) and 48 static images to simulate the complete 60-person classroom experience. When Harvard’s associate dean tested the system, she immediately began engaging with the remote participants as naturally as she would in a physical classroom. The breakthrough moment came during a mock case study session when the dean made a comment that made all the participants laugh simultaneously, creating the feeling of being present in the same space, just like in a real classroom.
Evolution and Impact
The success of the initial implementation led to the rapid evolution of the platform. We partnered with a leading software provider to create a browser-based interface that eliminated the need for special software installation—important for executive education students who often work from highly locked-down corporate computers.
As technology advanced, we continued refining Proscenium, moving much of the system to cloud-based infrastructure. What originally required nine racks of equipment could now be accomplished with just a couple of AV racks, making the solution more practical, scalable, and cost-effective. This evolution opened the door for other institutions to adopt the platform, including UC Berkeley’s executive education program and various corporate training facilities.
Today, Proscenium is an important offering for McCann in distance learning and virtual classroom technology. While video conferencing has become commonplace, Proscenium continues to offer something different—an experience that puts the instructor at the center and creates genuine engagement among participants. It’s not about replacing in-person learning but rather extending its reach and impact through thoughtfully designed technology.
Looking to the Future
McCann Systems continues to innovate in distance learning technology, developing new versions of Proscenium that will leverage modern platforms and technology while maintaining the core principle of creating natural, engaging remote learning experiences. Stay tuned to this space for more details on where we plan to take it; we’re very excited by what our clients have done with it and the future possibilities.
Does your organization need a partner to help develop virtual training and development systems? Use the chat button below to start the conversation, or fill out our online contact form. We look forward to connecting!
