Classroom technology infrastructure: what's needed?

I've been playing around with the best way to present to the architect the information/technology infrastructure needed in our new elementary school's learning spaces, especially the classrooms. The diagram above (larger tiff file here) represents my thinking to date, but it seems less than visionary. 

Here are some questions I have... 

1. Do we need a standard classroom floor plan because of technology? In other words, does the teacher's desk, the front of the room, the IWB, etc. need to be in the same location more or less permanently in each classroom?
2. Do we consider equipment like document cameras, student response systems, and remote slates add-ons, or infrastructure? In other words, does the design of the classroom need to take these soon to be ubiquitous tools into consideration?
   
3. Do we need an electrical grid in floor? While students and teachers may be using wireless internet access and laptop computers, to date, the batteries do not last the length of a school day. CAN WE ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR EXTENSION CORDS WITH A LITTLE FORESIGHT?
   
4. Do we need computer network drops on all walls? Yes, we will be putting in wireless, but at what point in the future will wireless offer the robustness, bandwidth and security needed for things like online testing or online photo/video editing, and video streaming? How many of these drops need to be homeruns back to switches in closets? Can we somehow eliminate in-room dumb hubs?
5. Can ALL the wires coming into the classroom be Ethernet? Can voice, data and video converge into a single set of wires? What happens if the "one" wire connection is lost? Do we need some kind of redundancy?
6. Can we use a single amplifier and set of speakers for all sound sources - teacher voice, student voice, video, telephone, computer, etc.? Do we need both a TV set and an data projector? Where and how do we place a television receiver so channels can be selected? Do the cost of LCD projector lamps make having a TV and projector still economically wise?
   
7. How sophisticated does the video output from the classroom need to be? Will a built-in camera using Skype meet most needs or will a small, separate CODEC and camera be needed?

What would the dream classroom technology look like your new school? And what will the building look like that can accommodate it?

Library design - flexibility and the future

A computer lab on the floor of Dakota Meadows Media Center, supported by in floor computer wiring and electrical outlets.

Red indicates under-floor conduit though which wiring can be run through the floor or the library.

About the only safe prediction about the future is that technology will change. Resources will change in format. Learning activities will change. Good school library design dictates that spaces are designed to be as flexible as possible. Running plenty of conduit and putting electrical outlets through spaces are still good practice. Try to place classrooms or other spaces adjacent to the media center so that they can be incorporated into the library if space needs increase. Or try to make sure there is an outside wall where an addition can be built if necessary.

At the same time, it's a mistake to design for technologies that do not yet exist, no matter how tantalizingly close they appear. E-books are not replacing print materials at this time. Wireless network access remains too slow, insecure and unreliable to replace Ethernet. Presentations are still given in physical space as well as virtually.

This "design principle" is probably the most important, but most difficult to practice. How have you seen library spaces made flexible and future-friendly?

Library design - aesthetics

Skylight and science department greenhouse above the circulation desk adds interest and beauty to the St Peter High School Media Center.

Color schemes, interior designer selected, are carried out throughout the building and media center at Eagle Lake elementary school -top left, top right, center and bottom right. Bottom left photo shows informal seating with warm wood trim in the St Peter HS Media Center.

The respect shown to those who inhabit a building is demonstrated by the attention paid to the appearance, comfort and aesthetic attention given to it. Professionally selected color schemes, warm wood accents, and art work create beautiful, welcoming spaces. Natural light has proven to improve learning, productivity and attitudes. (Although care needs to be taken that UV rays do not unnecessarily harm carpets and book spins, that reflected  light does not make computer screens unreadable, and that areas can be darkened when projection devices need to be used.)

Beauty is less about expense than it is about caring during the planning and design process. 

 

Student art, including the handprints and signatures of graduating 8th graders decorate Dakota Meadows Middle School (Mankato MN). Wooden trim is inexpensive but adds warmth to a brightly laminated circulation desk at Eagle Lake.