Five Decades Later: Integrating Technology in a Large, Lecture Hall
Rebecca Gould, Kansas State University
Background
Evolution of Learning Spaces
Dilemma
Process and Timeline
Key Players and Their Roles
Challenges
Renovation
Technology
Lessons Learned
Continuous Improvement
Our evolution with learning spaces began in the fall of 1994, when faculty and staff on the Kansas State University campus began to study newer designs for large lecture halls. Visits to Notre Dame, Ball State, Carnegie Mellon, Harvard, and Penn State helped the planning team envision the classroom of the future at K-State. By 1995, a common core technology and software was agreed upon, and two high-tech classrooms were built. Technology upgrades occurred in more than 50 rooms over the next 15 years, as monies became available.
Initially, planners believed that all rooms should be equipped with a common core of technology (computer, projector, visual presenter, sound system, and switching device). Now, four room types: basic (projector and laptop connector), common, expanded, and studio environments or instructional computer labs are offered and defined in Technology Enhanced Classrooms.
In 2002, the Division of Facilities developed a master plan with priorities for upgrading general use classrooms. This information, along with requests from departments and faculty, provided a prioritization strategy. As part of room oversight and to foster sustainability, a Technology Classroom Planning Committee was formed in 1999 and continues to meet once a month to discuss maintenance issues in rooms, upgrades, and plans for new rooms. Members on this committee are from facilities, information technology, the Provost’s office, and student government.
The technology classroom annual maintenance budget is created by information technology staff and approved by the associate provost. The first budgetary goal is to sustain the existing inventory of rooms based on a three-to-five year equipment refresh cycle. Carry forward is used for upgrading additional rooms. The Division of Facilities provides a separate budgetary allocation for room aesthetics (e.g., paint, flooring, lighting, HVAC, podiums, and screens). Over the years, the committee has made a concerted effort to think long term by deliberating about maintenance, custodial service needs of carpet versus other flooring materials, energy efficiency, the advantages of LED versus other lighting, and meeting the needs of faculty today while planning for the same in the future.
In 2011, funds were provided to upgrade 50 general use rooms to basic technology classrooms over a two-year timeframe. The goal supported the K-State 2025 initiative to enhance facilities and infrastructure to meet evolving needs at a competitive level.
Early costs per room with common core technology were in excess of $65,000. With changes in technology, functionality, and the types of technologies and software provided in a room, cost per room for common core technology dropped from $25,000 in 2001 to less than $11,000 today. Costs for basic technology was $15,000 and is now about $6,000.