Beyond Control

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Beyond Control

• Designing space for effective learning and
  teaching of digital media in Higher Education

Gaynor Cavanagh and Eileen Webb University of
Teesside
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Introduction

• Overview of the project
• Module timetabling
• Computing laboratory layout
• Affect on teaching and learning styles
• Laboratory redesign project
• Relevance to this conference
• Improving the learning experience

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Methodology

• Project duration was 2 years
• Phase One
• Critical evaluation of current design
• Student and staff consultation
• Literature/institutions consultation
• Layout and Infrastructure design and
  implementation
• Phase Two
• Evaluation of intermediate development
• Further developments including classroom
  technology
• Final evaluation.

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Before

• Battery Hen layout
• Isolated learners
• Blank walls no art work
• Cramped workspaces
• Little room for other activities - writing!
• Little use of Classroom Technology
• apart from PC and networks

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Before Photo - 1
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Before Photo - 2
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Before Photo - 3
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Students Perspective

• Sterile smells and looks like a hospital
• Dont encourage creativity they are just rooms
  with computers
• Depressing for the students and tutors
• Doesnt encourage communication
• Bring the desks closer together so its easier to
  communicate
• Maybe more attendance would occur if the working
  environment was more user friendly

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Staff Perspective

• The layout with students desks arranged around
  the walls of the room makes it difficult to
  encourage a group working atmosphere.
• It is quite demoralising always looking at
  students backs.
• Do not like teaching to students' backs. Not
  conducive to a good learning environment and does
  not encourage communication between students or
  staff.
• The layout is not conducive to learning or
  encouraging students to interact with each other

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Initial Design Ideas
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Student Feedback
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Student Feedback
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Student Feedback

• The room is perfect for learning I always use
  this room
• I think that the only lab which has a good
  working environment is in IC1.77.
• I definitely prefer IC177 to any of the labs in
  the IT building, particularly in regards to the
  layout and equipment available.
• I think out of all the labs IC1.77 is definitely
  designed the best. Other labs design can be a
  bit counter-productive for group discussion
• IC1.77 is a better room because in the others you
  tend to have your back to most of your class
  mates
• Other labs in IC building are horrible. Room is
  too cold, they should be arranged like IC1.77

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Student Feedback

• Two screens good atmosphere, very welcoming like
  the designs on the wall a lot of machines a
  bright room (with sunlight not artificial light)
• Nicely laid out, spacious (better than it was
  previously - rows of computers), provides a
  better working environment when discussing
  matters and work with others
• It is modern and just the whole room in general
  is a pleasant working environment to be in
• Its a lot easier to work in a group, instead of
  us all being in a row we are equally positioned
  in a circle.

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Staff Feedback

• The seating arrangement is great and it does help
  to stimulate communication and collaboration.
  However, it would be better if we could have
  smaller pods or change them around as required.
  However, I do understand this would be quite
  difficult and probably costly to achieve.
• Students communicate better with this type of
  design. Although the actual hubs should be
  smaller, size constraints of the room and
  necessity to accommodate at least 20 students at
  all times restricts other design ideas.
• .. layout of pods encourages students to talk to
  other students working around the same pod. It
  enables me to talk to all students around a pod.

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After Photo - 1
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After Photo - 2
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After Photo - 3
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SynchronEyes Smart Technologies

• A classroom management software.
• You can communicate, monitor or collaborate with
  students individually or as a group
• Keeps students focused on learning
• Provides constant feedback on progress

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Conclusions

• Redesigned lab well received by both students and
  staff
• Vastly improved LT experience
• Opened up new opportunities for innovation
• Clearly encourages communication and
  collaboration
• Not perfect
• Need to consider flexibility, wireless
  technology, adaptability
• Maybe we should consider
• Ditching the Desks, a more personalised
  environment
• School policy currently dictates no food or drink
• Less formal learning environments should
  encourage new policies

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• ANY QUESTIONS?