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Philosophy & Rationale (Cont) |
How To Plan Effectively? The challenge to implement a rational and efficient edtech planning process then is a difficult one. And, its difficulty is compounded by the fact that requirements for learning technology must be addressed at the earliest possible moment in the planning process. In order to create great classrooms numerous elements must be addressed. These design issues include room size, ceiling height, architectural geometry, sight lines, room adjacencies, circulation spaces within, between and among classrooms, just to name a few. Keep in mind that learning can and will occur not only in classrooms, but in a variety of other common areas, informal gathering spaces, breakout rooms, and so on, and learning technology for these areas must also be addressed. To wait until the design of the building and its interiors is substantially developed, eliminates numerous opportunities to accommodate the range of infrastructure and design necessary to properly accommodate advanced educational technologies and capabilities. It also limits future flexibility. |
EdTech Planning Group: Technology Architect EdTech Planning Group provides the range of strategic planning and facilitation services that enable academic institutions, and their architects and planners, to efficiently and cost effectively identify, summarize, validate and integrate educational technology requirements into the design process. We accomplish this because we approach the planning process with a unique understanding, gained over 30 years, having collaborated with hundreds of project teams in dozens of different institutions, of both how to facilitate and integrate the different perspectives of the many stakeholders involved in academic environments. This experience has become an invaluable part of our methodology to develop concept programs quickly and effectively, and effectively play the role of Technology Architect. We offer a range of pre-planning interactive workshops to help prepare the faculty and project team members to understand and participate in defining edtech facilities requirements. Topics covered in these workshops include: * review of the educational technologies available for consideration * case studies of what other institutions have done * identification of basic classroom types to help focus future discussions about space requirements * learning spaces beyond the classroom * contrasting highly specialized vs multipurpose learning spaces * important distinctions between infrastructure and equipment * considering equipment fitup as a long term process, not a single one-time activity * the dangers of not addressing important organizational issues such as ongoing equipment maintenance, and faculty training and support in both using the equipment and preparing effective rich media presentations |