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How do you Collect Info for this step of the design process?
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Gather more information about your existing technology classrooms by taking photos, sketching, conducting interviews, or doing additional research.
Think About
- In what ways do you use technology inside the classroom during a typical day at school?
- In what ways do you use technology outside the classroom during a typical day at school?
- In what ways and in what types of classes is technology currently taught at your school?
- What types of room does technology learning take place in now?
- Do you enjoy working in these rooms? Why or why not?
- Are these rooms designed any different than a typical classroom? Should they be?
- How do you collaborate around technology with other students? Where do you do this now?
Try This
- Take photos of your school’s library, the media center, computer or technology lab, or any other classroom that includes technology used by students.
- Take photos of how and where you typically use a computer or other types of technology at home.
- Measure the size of this room. Is it crowded now or does it have empty space?
- Make a list of all the features and items currently found in your school’s technology lab.
- Make a list of all the things you like about these rooms. Ask several friends and your teachers their opinions.
- Make a list of all the things you dislike about these rooms. Ask several friends and your teachers their opinions.
- Read about the CyberCafe in a University of Chicago library.
- Read about how Emory University transformed their old computer lab into a new a digital learning space.
How do you Brainstorm Ideas for this step of the design process?
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Develop sketches or models to help you puzzle through new ideas and solutions.
Think About
- Most technology labs are just rows of computers or individual computers inside cubicles. But is this the best way to use and learn about technology today?
- How does collaboration occur if each person is looking at their own screen?
- Think about the possibilities of using technology in more comfortable places, such as on lounging on a couch or sitting under a tree. How can you incorporate these more informal spaces into your design?
- Where will this new technology wing / addition be located at your school so that all students can take advantage of it?
Try This
- Make lots of sketches to get your early ideas down on paper. Learn from each different idea.
- Based on the information you collected above, brainstorm the types of spaces you’d like your new technology wing at school to have. The space planning rules of thumb in the chart below may be helpful for comparison.
- Walk around the exterior of your school building and take photos of possible locations for the new technology wing.
- Use Google Maps to view and print out an aerial photo of your school. Identify a location for the new technology wing. Which side of your school should the addition be constructed on?
- What other classrooms are currently near your proposed technology wing addition?
- Contact your school’s building or maintenance department. They may already have a floor plan of your existing school building to use as a reference or base drawing.
- Sketch bubble diagrams to figure out the spatial relationships between the different spaces. Which spaces will be adjacent to each other? Which spaces should not be next to each other?
- Make lots of sketches, learn from each one, and figure out the best way to arrange the spaces in the technology wing.
Your design for a new technology education wing might include the following types and sizes of new rooms and furniture. These are just suggestions. Feel free to revise this and incorporate other spaces you think may be needed.
Technology wing space planning rules of thumb:
| space | 800 students in your school | 1200 students in your school | 1600 students in your school | 2400 students in your school |
|
Informal gathering spaces with computers |
1,800 square feet | 2,400 square feet | 3,000 square feet | 4,000 square feet |
|
Classrooms / Studios / Labs |
3 rooms at 1,200 square feet each | 4 rooms at 1,200 square feet each | 5 rooms at 1,200 square feet each | 7 rooms at 1,200 square feet each |
|
Media Lab for Audio and Visual Production |
1 lab at 1,600 square feet | 1 lab at 1,600 square feet | 1 lab at 1,600 square feet | 2 labs at 1,600 square feet each |
| Storage Room | 1 room at 200 square feet | 2 rooms at 200 square feet each | 2 rooms at 200 square feet each |
3 rooms at 200 square feet each |
|
Computer Server Room |
1 room at 200 square feet | 1 room at 200 square feet | 1 room at 200 square feet | 1 room at 200 square feet |
| TOTAL | 7,400 square feet | 9,400 square feet | 11,200 square feet | 16,400 square feet |
How do you Develop Solutions for this step of the design process?
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Now's the time to take what you've learned from the steps above and develop your own solution for a new technology wing.
Try This
- If possible, build a rough physical study model of your technology wing. You can't really understand the building's shape until you make a quick study model. Don’t worry about making a fancy finished model at this time. Instead, use cardstock, scissors, and tape to quickly create the large 3D form. See how it looks. Break off different sections, add new pieces, and try new ideas.
- Take a photo of your model and upload it to your student account.
- Sketch or use software such as Google SketchUp, AutoCAD, or Revit to put your ideas on paper.
How do you create a Final Design for this step of the design process?
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