Northern Arizona University s6

Northern Arizona University Guidelines for Planning and Designing Learning Spaces

Executive Summary of the Report to the Provost

From the Provost’s Academic Computing Advisory Committee

August 27, 2008

Updated from meeting 8/25/2008 ag June 2008 Report Northern Arizona University Guidelines for Planning and Designing Learning Spaces to the Provost is summarized here with an additional tier recommendation. While the report focuses on the physical aspects of learning spaces, it also includes technological innovations that directly impact the effectiveness of presentation, communication, and interaction in face-to-face, online, and mediated courses such as Video (ITV) and web conferencing. As a university that is deeply engaged in the goal of helping students successfully transition to an increasingly technological workforce and global community, it is in the best interest of Northern Arizona University to keep pace when provisioning for high-quality classrooms that include new technologies.

Learning space categories include formal, informal, and virtual learning spaces (for detailed definitions of these spaces see the full report). Formal learning spaces at NAU are the physical spaces used for teaching and learning that are listed in the Schedule of Classes. Informal learning spaces at Northern Arizona University are intended to support and extend learning activities that occur in formal classroom and lab facilities. Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) are an electronic delivery system that facilitates formal and informal learning, either as a personalized system of instruction or of a collaborative nature, for the management of educational courses.

By incorporating the recommendations of the report there will be more evenness in infrastructure allowing for shared classrooms between colleges and an ease of use based on consistency for faculty and students. The incorporation of universal design principles as recommended also allows NAU to take into account accessibility needs. Finally, the importance of the infrastructure to support the classroom technology is dwarfed only by the need for supporting the sustainability of the technology in the classrooms.

Technology Every classroom at Northern Arizona University should have a minimum configuration for technology enhancement in order to promote and support pedagogical and technological innovations that increase student engagement, learning, and success. This is designed to build upon the current University strategic goals, but also look into the future. The recommended tiers of technology enhancement will also assist faculty with their expectations of technology as they consider the learning environment in which they teach, and will allow them to intuitively use the technology provided regardless in which building or department they teach. The tiers have technology costs that cover the equipment costs only. An additional tier is recommend in this executive summary at the Provosts office request: Expanded Technology Enhanced Classroom Configuration. (Please see Appendix for full list of technology based on tiers)

General Technology  LCD multimedia projectors and motorized projection screens are recommended for use in all NAU classrooms including computer labs, and wet and dry laboratories.  Seminar rooms may opt to use LCD panels for small group presentation  Large auditoriums and lecture halls may require a secondary manual projection screen  LCD projectors should be mounted from the ceiling.  LCD projector with adequate lumens for visibility in a well-lit room is important.

Updated from meeting 8/25/2008 ag Additional recommendations  When designing the room, it is critical to speak with those who will support and use it.  Wireless is assumed in all spaces, however Ethernet connections must be available for higher band width streaming.  Power needs to include access to electrical outlets from every location a student would be using a laptop or other mobile device.  Building level surge protection is necessary.  Natural lighting should be offered where possible.  All external windows should prevent glare.  Interior windows should also be considered during the design phase of learning spaces in order to provide a sense of openness.  Window treatments and dimmers for lights above screens should be installed to allow adequate projection.  Projection screens and whiteboards should be located so they can be used at the same time.  Whenever a writing surface is required, an electronic alternative to the whiteboard should be considered.  Ergonomically designed seating and/or tables should be provided in all classrooms.  Movable furniture must be in all classrooms to provide as much flexibility in seating choices as possible.  Ambient noise should be controlled as much as possible by locating classrooms, informal learning spaces, and labs away from areas that generate significant noise.  Floors, walls, and ceiling finishes with sound dampening attributes should be selected for all informal and formal learning spaces.  Doorways into smaller classrooms should be located opposite the instruction wall, or along the sidewall.  Large lecture halls should have primary entrances located at the back of the room, with double doors along the sidewalls to allow for traffic flow in and out simultaneously.  The location and orientation of instructional walls should provide visibility and closeness of the instructor to the students.  Instructors and students should be able to move through the seating arrangement easily without being obstructed by chairs or tables.  The Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG) of the American Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) must be met and considered carefully prior to any building construction or renovation at NAU.  Learning spaces, and the features, furnishings, and fixtures within them, should also comply with good Universal Design.

Encouraged by the emphasis on collaborative activities and the creative use of media and communication in “classrooms,” students and faculty have evolving and increasing expectations of classroom standards. Innovation in learning activities is driving a shift in the teaching and learning landscape to include the addition of wireless networking, mobile computing, and an increased emphasis on social and collaborative group-work. An integrated approach to planning, designing, and providing appropriate learning spaces is required to keep up with the changing demands and new methods being adopted in teaching and learning.

Updated from meeting 8/25/2008 ag Updated from meeting 8/25/2008 ag Appendix

Each tier begins with the following basic expectation and adds to it.

 Overhead Projector  CD/DVD player  2500+ Lumen Ceiling Mounted Projector  Document Camera  PC or Laptop or VGA Input (Ethernet port for Laptop)  Video or RCA Composite Video Connection  Pull Down or Powered Screen  Small Amplifier and Speaker System  Dedicated A/C 15amp power for Projector and Instructor Podium/Desk  Standard Wireless LAN for Student Laptops  Microphone (wireless)  USB extension at podium for flash drive

Tier 2 Standard Technology Enhanced Classroom Configuration Cost estimate $9,200.00

(There will be networking technology for at least the podium PC, Laptop, security, and control system.)

Tier 2 (B) Expanded Technology Enhanced Classroom Configuration (again starts with basic items above and adds additional items) Technology Cost Estimate: $15,000-$18,000.

 Overhead Projector  CD/DVD player

Updated from meeting 8/25/2008 ag  Laptop Input  VGA Input  Dedicated A/C 15amp power for Projector and Instructor Podium/Desk  Standard Wireless LAN for Student Laptops  VGA Document Camera  Podium or Desk rack mounted PC with a 17inch flat panel display  Video or RCA Composite Video Connection  Tiered (Staged) Lighting around the front projection screen  Small 20 watt amplifier and JBL speaker system  Mini stereo plug for iPods and MP3 players  Dedicated A/C 15amp power for Projector and Instructor Podium/Desk  Security Cam for hardware.  A basic push button control system (See example of an Extron MediaLink controller)  3200+ Lumen Projector with power zoom  Multiple projectors, with all walls painted with a projection compatible paint ($200/liter, framed), or LCD displays for seminar and auditorium classrooms may be useful

Tier 3 Optimum Technology Enhanced Classroom Configuration Approximate Base Technology Cost: $25,000.00

 Overhead Projector  CD/DVD player  Laptop Input  VGA Input  Standard Wireless LAN for Student Laptops  VGA Document Camera  Podium or Desk rack mounted PC with a 17inch flat panel display  Video or RCA Composite Video Connection  Tiered (Staged) Lighting around the front projection screen  Small 20 watt amplifier and JBL speaker system  Mini stereo plug for iPods and MP3 players  Dedicated A/C 15amp power for Projector and Instructor Podium/Desk  Security Cam for hardware.  Powered Projection Screen  Upgraded to a professionally programmed touch screen control system (See example of Crestron touch screen used in media classroom at SUNY)  Upgraded 4500+ Lumen Projector with power zoom  An interactive whiteboard system, such as eBeam, can be used with a normal dry-wipe board to replace the more expensive electronic writing devices used for front projection, such as a SmartBoard or Sympodium  Multiple projectors, projection screens, or LCD displays for seminar and auditorium classrooms may be useful

Tier 4 – Video Conference (ITV) Classroom (used at NAU Distance Learning sites) Approximate Technology Cost: $30,000.00 (includes furniture and seating for 30 students)

Updated from meeting 8/25/2008 ag  Video Conference Codec – Tandberg 880 MXP or higher  Secondary camera - Sony located in the back of the classroom  Audio - Tandberg Audio Science ceiling microphones (one or more depending on size of room)  Video - three Hitachi LCD multimedia projectors (two projecting video onto screens located in the front of the classroom, and one projecting video on a screen in the back of the classroom)  Video in smaller rooms - two or three plasma or LCD 42" to 50" monitors  Computer Workstation - Dell tower that integrates into the codec  Podium for instructor - houses computer workstation, padcam, and has electrical built in

Tier 5 - Instructional Computer Lab Approximate Technology Cost: $33,200.00

 Overhead Projector  CD/DVD player  Laptop Input  VGA Input  Standard Wireless LAN for Student Laptops  A basic push button control system (See example of an Extron MediaLink controller)  VGA Document Camera  Upgraded 3200+ Lumen Ceiling Mounted Projector capable of Rs-232 control (small)  Podium or Desk rack mounted PC with a 17inch flat panel display  Video or RCA Composite Video Connection  Pull Down or Powered Screen  Tiered (Staged) Lighting around the front projection screen  Small 20 watt amplifier and JBL speaker system  Mini stereo plug for iPods and MP3 players  Dedicated A/C 15amp power for Projector and Instructor Podium/Desk  Security Cam for hardware.  DELL PC @ $1,000.00 per station (January 2008)  Software: XP Operating System, Microsoft Office, SPSS, Anti-Virus, browser software, etc. (See complete list of computer lab software at http://www.nau.edu/itslabs/winlabsoftware.shtml  Networked Laser-jet printer @ $700.00 (January 2008)  Average size of 24 seats in the room plus the instructor station This cost does not include any specific software that a particular department may require to be installed on every PC. See an example of department specific configuration at http://www.cens.nau.edu/Academic/Math/facilities/LabSoftware.shtml Also, does not include additional networking infrastructure.

Mobile Computer Labs (Technology Carts) can be used as an alternative to an instructional computer lab when computers are not needed every day. A cart that includes a network printer, wireless access point, and stored laptops that are charged when on the cart, allows the mobile lab to be wheeled into a classroom on a scheduled basis. This also eliminates the need to retrofit a classroom with power

Updated from meeting 8/25/2008 ag and data cables. For more information on Mobile Computer Labs, see the Learning Spaces Study – Fall 2007.

Updated from meeting 8/25/2008 ag