How Suite It Is: How Suite It Is: Collaborative Tech Suites Collaborative Tech Suites in an Academic Libraryin an Academic Library
Amy Ricci, Assistant Director, Amy Ricci, Assistant Director, Academic Technology Center Academic Technology Center
Matt Hall, Assistant Director,Matt Hall, Assistant Director,George C. Gordon LibraryGeorge C. Gordon Library
WPIWPI
WPIWPI
• 2,861 undergrads2,861 undergrads• 1,042 grad student1,042 grad student• 324 full and part-time faculty324 full and part-time faculty• Majors in Engineering, Science & Majors in Engineering, Science &
ManagementManagement• Students come from 44 states and Students come from 44 states and
46 countries46 countries
What is a Tech Suite?What is a Tech Suite?
BackgroundBackground
• Based on ACELABs at Bentley: Based on ACELABs at Bentley: http://www.bentley.edu/acelab/http://www.bentley.edu/acelab/
• Library had traditionally Library had traditionally accommodated student project accommodated student project groupsgroups
• Library space available due to Library space available due to renovationsrenovations
Space Planning Space Planning
Tech Suite EquipmentTech Suite Equipment
• 50” plasma display50” plasma display• Dedicated networked PCDedicated networked PC• VHS VCRVHS VCR• DVD playerDVD player• Four network ports and wireless coverageFour network ports and wireless coverage• Two laptop hookups to the displayTwo laptop hookups to the display• Table and chairs for 6 peopleTable and chairs for 6 people• Approximately $16,000 per tech suiteApproximately $16,000 per tech suite• Cables, webcams, and microphones Cables, webcams, and microphones
available for checkout available for checkout
WPI’s IT DivisionWPI’s IT Division
CIO
Computing and Communications
Center
AcademicTechnology
Center
Gordon Library
IT CollaborationIT Collaboration
• ATC provides the equipment and ATC provides the equipment and furniture; does the installationfurniture; does the installation
• Library provides space, daily Library provides space, daily responsibility for rooms, scheduling, responsibility for rooms, scheduling, and securityand security
• CCC maintains images; troubleshootsCCC maintains images; troubleshoots• ATC/Library staff promote tech suites ATC/Library staff promote tech suites
to students and to faculty through the to students and to faculty through the IT Liaison ProgramIT Liaison Program
Quality ControlQuality Control
Tech Suite “Kits”Tech Suite “Kits”
How Students Learn How Students Learn TodayToday
• Most learning activity for students Most learning activity for students takes place outside the classroomtakes place outside the classroom
• Social interaction is a growing part Social interaction is a growing part of learningof learning
• Technology is naturalTechnology is natural• Students construct content rather Students construct content rather
than just consume itthan just consume it
Trends in Collaborative Trends in Collaborative LearningLearning
• More real world issues are becoming More real world issues are becoming interdisciplinary in natureinterdisciplinary in nature
• Learning Commons - Learning Learning Commons - Learning spaces beyond the classroom that spaces beyond the classroom that sustain the learning experiencesustain the learning experience
WPI’s Project-based WPI’s Project-based CurriculumCurriculum
• Students complete two major group Students complete two major group projects in their undergraduate projects in their undergraduate programs, outside of regular class programs, outside of regular class work.work.
• Groupwork becoming increasingly Groupwork becoming increasingly common for regular class common for regular class assignments.assignments.
Tech Suite UsesTech Suite Uses
• Project groupsProject groups• Library instruction sessionsLibrary instruction sessions• Web conferencingWeb conferencing• OtherOther
Project GroupsProject Groups
• Collaborative planning and writing Collaborative planning and writing sessionssessions
• Practice presentationsPractice presentations
Library Instruction Library Instruction SessionsSessions
Web ConferencingWeb Conferencing• Interactive, live eventsInteractive, live events• Shared graphics, Shared graphics,
documents, screensdocuments, screens• VoIPVoIP• Videoconferencing Videoconferencing
capabilitiescapabilities• Kits with webcams and Kits with webcams and
microphones are checked microphones are checked out at the circulation deskout at the circulation desk
• Used by project groups to Used by project groups to meet with project meet with project sponsors off campussponsors off campus
Student Surveys Student Surveys
Usage TrendsUsage Trends
YearYear # of Suites# of Suites # of Sign-outs# of Sign-outsTurnawaysTurnaways
2002-032002-03 22 13 (13 (June launchJune launch))
2003-042003-04 44 11531153
2004-052004-05 44 19251925
2005-062005-06 44 35933593 96 (1/2 96 (1/2 year)year)
2006-072006-07 77 4331 4331 (3/4 year)(3/4 year) 107 (3/4 107 (3/4 year)year)
Don’t Get Too Suite Don’t Get Too Suite
• Is this what your user community Is this what your user community wants?wants?
• Line of sight issues Line of sight issues
The Future of the Tech The Future of the Tech SuitesSuites
• Investigating online reservation system Investigating online reservation system • Space for 3 more tech suites in the Space for 3 more tech suites in the
library –pending on fundinglibrary –pending on funding• Possibly adding IP videoconferencing Possibly adding IP videoconferencing
in at least one roomin at least one room• Possibly providing videotaping kits for Possibly providing videotaping kits for
students to record practice students to record practice presentationspresentations
• Upgrade/replacement cycleUpgrade/replacement cycle
• Four tech suites being added to a Four tech suites being added to a new dorm new dorm
The Future of the Tech The Future of the Tech SuitesSuites
Student PerspectiveStudent Perspective
Sources for Additional Sources for Additional InformationInformation
Brown, Malcom B, and Joan K. Lippincott. Brown, Malcom B, and Joan K. Lippincott. “Learning Spaces: More than Meets the “Learning Spaces: More than Meets the Eye.” Eye.” Educause QuarterlyEducause Quarterly 26.1 (2003): 14- 26.1 (2003): 14-16.16.
Wilson, Maureen E. “Teaching, Learning, Wilson, Maureen E. “Teaching, Learning, and Millennial Students.” and Millennial Students.” New Directions New Directions for Student Servicesfor Student Services. 2004.106 (2004): . 2004.106 (2004): 59-71.59-71.
For Additional For Additional InformationInformation
http://www.wpi.edu/+Library/About/itlab.hthttp://www.wpi.edu/+Library/About/itlab.htmlml
Matt Hall at Matt Hall at [email protected]@wpi.edu
Amy Ricci at Amy Ricci at [email protected]@wpi.edu
