Design+Proposal

= Team 4 : Computer Lab : Summer 2009 = Roberto Bonillo Tedd Brent Richard Dysinger Kelly Granfield Nicholas Ingrande Robert Sevilla

Background
There is an immediate need to redesign the computer lab at Faux High School in San Jose, California.

In previous years, this was a frequently occupied space where teachers would bring their students to complete various projects. However, the existing computer lab contains ten-year-old computer equipment that is obsolete given the current needs of teachers and students. The lab is housed in a relatively small room without adequate cooling and makes the environment unbearable at times due to the heat from the equipment. Additionally, current lab furniture consists of old classroom desks that are not ergonomically appropriate. This learning space necessitates a complete renovation to make it a more comfortable and useful learning environment.

Our team envisions a more user-friendly and collaborative learning space for learners and teachers to help them integrate current technology into their curriculum. Hardware, software, furniture, lighting, and physical layout will be chosen and designed to accommodate learners with physical challenges such as those confined to wheelchairs and students with visual and/or auditory challenges. Since the proposed design calls for enlarging the area to accommodate up to 120 students, it will have areas for different types of instruction and learning including any necessary technical support.  Thanks to our experienced and talented writers, we've been awarded a substantial grant that allows for an unlimited budget, two rainbows, and a unicorn. The following report chronicles our needs analysis, floor plan, design rationale, and evaluation of the learning space. 

Needs Analysis
We had informal discussions with staff affiliated with computer labs at one site to determine the typical classes that utilize the facility, the hardware both used and wished for, and the software applications that were most utilized. We also conducted an informal focus group interview with potential stakeholders that consisted of one administration representative, one educational technologist, and 25 classroom teachers. This informed our decisions for outfitting our lab.

•We utilized the article // Lessons Learned: Rules for the Computer Lab and Beyond //, for guidance and as a checklist of items needed in creating our learning space. []
 * ** Stakeholders ** || ** Expressed Needs ** ||
 * Administration Representative || * Enlarge the computer lab and include air conditioning.
 * Ensure that the lab is fully accessible to all learners. ||
 * Educational Technologist || * Get rid of the old teacher-workstation; it is a huge desk and placed in the far corner of the room. A new workstation should be centrally located.
 * Replace classroom desks and chairs with ergonomically-correct and adjustable furniture.
 * Repaint the room to avoid eye strain caused from the huge contrast between the computer screens and the walls.
 * Have spaces designed for small group collaboration.
 * Include numerous whiteboards and display boards to also be used as partitions. ||
 * 25 Classroom Teachers || * Many are technically savvy but it would be important to have some outside technical support until teachers become more familiar with the equipment.
 * Capability for music and video production.
 * Interested in GPS activities.
 * Software capability for website development.
 * Want image editing software. ||
 * Computer Lab Staff || * Concern with WiFi access (will it work, usage, understanding by teacher if need arises to troubleshoot.
 * Concerns with power sources (movement of computers and the connecting power source).
 * Software to remotely update/share software, observe student monitors, and lock/control student computers.
 * With all that new equipment being purchased, the lab should have storage cabinets. ||

**Design Concept and Recommendations**

40 X iMac 20" 2.66 GHZ [] 3 X iMac 24" 3.06 GHz [] (for video editing) 1 X Airport Extreme Base Station [] (up to 50 users) 1 X MacBook Pro 17" 2.8 GHz (for instructor station) [] 2 X HP Color LaserJet 4700dn Printer [] 3 X Bose® QuietComfort® 2 Acoustic Noise Cancelling® Headphones [] (for video editing) 3 X Sony Handycam SR47 Blue Camcorder with Extra Battery and Case [] 15 GPS handheld units: [] 15 GPS carrying cases: [|http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/GPS_Accessories/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A0983540&~lt=popup&~ck=ManRelated] Music integration (5 keyboards): [] Midi Controller keyboard (5): [] Blue Microphones Snowball Microphone (10): [] 5-10 Handheld PDAs [] Kensington Pocket KeyPad/Calculator (10): [] Creative Fatal1ty USB Gaming Headset for Mac (5): http://store.apple.com/us/product/TW752LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA3MA&mco=NzU0Mjc3MA
 * EQUIPMENT**
 * hardware:**

Apple Remote Desktop 3.2 (Unlimited Managed Systems) [] Final Cut Studio Academic[| http://store.apple.com/us-k12/product/MB647Z/A?fnode=MTY1NDAzOA&mco=NzQ1MTM0MA] Office 2008 for Mac - Home and Student Edition [] Comic Life Deluxe Edition [] Academic - Adobe Creative Suite 4 Design Premium [] Manga Studio X4 [] FontLibrary [] TurboCad Mac Pro v4 [] Corel Painter 11-- Academic [] AMG Soundtracks for iMovie [] GPS software: [] Finale 2010 (music sheet creation/instruction): [] Reference (World Book): [] Reference Inspiration 8: [] 2009 World Book Encyclopedia : [] It’s About Time to Learn the Switch to Mac: [] Web Development Dreamweaver suite: [] Security/net filtering: [] Antivirus: [|http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?c=us&category_id=5115&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn] Typing program: [] Languages: Rosetta Stone (Spanish example) [] Technology Development: []
 * software:**


 * FLOOR PLAN**

**Furniture and Color**
|| Desks were old classroom desks that were not designed to hold computers. || The new desks will be the [|Deluxe Height Adjustable Table 60"] from [|VersaTables.com]. THe color will be the grey matrix color to keep the tone light. The tables have the option to be stationary or mobile and are designed to hold computers. The tables will be more comfortable for the students and will encourage the students to work in the lab. || || Computer lab chairs were old wooden chairs which were uncomfortable and squeaked consistently. || Cobi, by [|Steelcase]. The Cobi was designed for collaboration. This means that it is lightweight, comfortable, and easy to move. [|cobi brochure]. The most important aspect of the chairs are that they are comfortable. This will allow students to sit for longer periods of time and get their work done. || || Absence of lounge seating or group work areas in the previous lab. || The new lounge seating will accommodate up to six students. Each lounge station will be equipped with a table as a work area and computer workstation. || || Absence of bean bags in the previous lab. || The [|bean bags] will accommodate up to five students in the video editing sections. || || The teacher workstation in the previous lab was an old desk positioned in the back corner of the room, || The teacher lectern will be located in the center of the lab. THis will allow the teacher to lecture from the center of the lab and be more accessible to the students. || || Absence of work stools in the previous lab. || The work stools will be strategically placed around the lab. The wok stools will help define a leader in group project or they could promote comfort in the lab. || || Computer lab had only one printer placed in the far corner which was inconvenient to access. || The printer stands will allow placement of the printers to be convenient and easy to access. There will also be two print stations in the computer lab. || || Absence of mobile marker boards. || Double Sided Melamine Marker Board Partitions, will be placed at every lounge seating area and group work stations. They will promote collaboration and help reduce sound. || || Walls were used to display work. || Mobile display boards will be placed in all the lounge seating areas and the group work stations. They will be used to display student work and help reduce sound. ||
 * ===Item=== || ===Previous Item=== || ===New Item=== ||
 * Color || The previous colors of the Faux High computer lab were very bright, with murals painted all over the walls. These bright colors and murals contribute to eye strain and make the computer lab an undesirable place to work. || The new colors will be a lighter blue tone called blue sky. by [|Behr]. This color would help decrease glare from the screens and reduce eyestrain. ||
 * Carpet || Old black carpet that has faded to a green color. || The new carpet will be a [|commercial grade carpet] that will be a gray color with speckles to make stains less visible. ||
 * Desks
 * Chairs
 * Lounge Seating
 * Bean Bags
 * Teacher Lectern
 * Work Stool
 * Printer Stands
 * Double Sided Melamine Marker Board Partitions
 * Display Boards

 References: http://www.designshare.com/Research/Lighting/LightingEnvr1.htm http://amberharrelliar431.blogspot.com/2009/02/lighting-evaluation-of-iarc-computer.html
 * LIGHTING**
 * Instructor should be able to have control of the lighting from his/her station.
 * Instructor should be able to control each row of lights (assuming we install multiple rows).
 * [[image:http://3cguide.com/images/upload/20071101160942.jpg width="164" height="131"]]
 * Install accent lighting over display areas or whiteboards.
 * [[image:http://ledlightray.com/photos/multi-led-1.jpg width="163" height="122"]]
 * While natural light is ideal, we still need to have electric light. Polarizing lenses are available to filter fluorescent lamps. These chemically treated acrylic lenses, combined with full spectrum lamps, can achieve artificial illumination with the spectral energy distribution and light polarization characteristics of natural daylight.
 * Indirect lighting.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If windows are not an option, let's add a few skylights.

> > //Features: Ensure every word is heard, reduce vocal strain, get students involved, teach with multimedia// <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> > [] > > > //Features: Intuitive interface, dual-user mode, > screen division// > [|http://www.projectorscreenstore.com/Projector-Screens/Da-Lite-105x140-Advantage-Deluxe-Electrol-88142-Matte-White-Fabric-Video-Format-Projector-Screen-28388.html] > > //Features: Can be used for wall or ceiling mounting, screen surface can be cleaned with mild soap and water, remote control included// <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> > [|http://www.projectorscreenstore.com/store/p/49142-Canon-REALiS-SX800-HD-720p-SXGA-Multimedia-LCOS-Projector.html] > > //Features: Screen size is 40" to 300", 3000 Lumens// <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
 * Audio Links:**
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[] <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 255);">I like this one best. - Kelly
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[] (we use this system in our classes)
 * Boards:**
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Smart Board:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Electronic Projector Screen
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Using an electronic screen gives a little more flexibility to the room. When not needed, they can be pulled up with the push of a button.
 * Projectors:**
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Canon REALis SX800 HD
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-style: normal;">Three ceiling mounted projectors for 140" screens. //

Design Rationale including references to literature and design principles.

 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Universal design helps to ensure access for learners with learning disabilities, or visual, speech, hearing, and mobility impairments. //Reference to Universal Design accommodations @ [] //
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The use of movable barriers helps to facilitate collaboration and team teaching. //Reference to Dr. Kenn Fisher from his article @// [|http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/12/14115428/6//]
 * Smart Boards located in Bix lounges allow for exploration and self-directed learning. //Reference to School Design Studio// @ []
 * Crowding is a negative factor for student outcomes. This particular floor plan is 8,000 square feet and can easily accommodate 100 students which exceeds the recommended minimum square footage of 6,464 square feet. //Reference to C. Kenneth Tanner @ [] //

Assessing the Effectiveness of the Space
Table 1. Assessment Structure <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> []
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Environment || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Physical and virtual || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Physical and virtual ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Time || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Scheduled, self-selected, and flexible || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Scheduled, self-selected, and flexible ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Structure || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Facilitated || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Self-directed ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Content || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Program-directed || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Self-directed ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Use of focus groups and interviews, surveys and photographic studies