Learning commons: Catalyst for needed change

1. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change Crit Stuart GUGM 2005, Macon, Georgia

2. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change Stimuli at GT • Install an information / learning commons in collaboration with OIT • Consider the commons an experiment to inform future transformations of space, and future collaborations

3. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change Reinventing the academic library • 1st phase in “library for learning” • redefine staff roles and skill sets • consolidate service points

5. Learning from the commons: experiments in collaboration and transformation

8. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change Use of facility • 104 sx280 PCs & 22 Mac G-5s • 130 applications on standard image • 14 scanning stations • 900,000 print jobs per year (all free) • 3,200 hours per machine • ~ 3,000,000 logins per year

9. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change OIT’s contribution = 10,000 hrs • 2 grades of OIT student assts. working 8 am to midnight (6000 hours) • 2 OIT staff hire, train, manage, teach & trouble-shoot (4000 hours)

10. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change Library staff at information service desk • library professionals 8:00 a. – 9:00 p. • paraprofessionals (1st shift & weekends) • hybrid staff (2nd & 3rd shifts & weekends) • minor impact on budget due to consolidation

11. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change

12. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change

13. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change Prior to commons, OIT’s multimedia assets were • buried in OIT’s complex and rarely used, with limited equipment, software, hours and assistance, and little campus awareness With advent of commons, multimedia assets are • easy to find, in great setting • 22 Mac G-5s . . . enough demand to “triple” • elaborate & growing suite of editing tools • influencing both student & faculty expectations of multimedia • home base for film and photography clubs, and for iMovie Fest competition

16. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change Prior to commons, Library information services • were scattered across 3 floors; service stopped at midnight; students lost the distinctions With advent of the commons, information services • is consolidated to one desk at the Library entrance, in the midst of intense student activity • is staffed 24 / 5 with skilled, permanent employees, including library associates (a new, “hybrid” staff position) • provides multimedia assistance from midnight to 8 am • attracts teaching assistants from academic departments

17. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change

18. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change Consultation cubicles reserved by College of Engineering teaching assistants w/ office hours Writing clinic being discussed; collaboration with English, Engineering and Library

19. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change

20. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change Presentation rehearsal studio reserved via student portal; 1100 reservations in 9 months technology supported by OIT records sessions to streaming server capacity: 13

21. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change

22. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change Alternative uses of facility • gaming nights with computer game tournament; movies (student made and commercial); improv theater; a capella groups; rafting / climbing • in collaboration with student clubs, Freshman Orientation, OIT

24. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change Student reactions • love just-in-time assistance with complex software & homework problems • superb multimedia; extensive software • cool aesthetics; “see and be seen”; great hours; comfort; sense of ownership

25. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change Faculty reactions • expect OIT staff to teach technology skills to their students • endorse TA’s embedded in this neutral “common ground” • growing appreciation for multimedia projects; influencing pedagogy

26. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change Recognition • best improvement at GT (2003) • best computer lab at GT (2004) • best place to study on campus (2004) • increased Library attendance 90% in 24 months • $275K refreshment of all technology (2005)

27. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change Reinventing the academic library • one-stop shopping for students – begins to provide core services essential to undergraduate survival • accommodates individual and group work better than any other study / work space on campus, with more renovation and improvements to come • big opportunities to collaborate with logical partners (mentoring & tutoring; writing assistance; freshman support; OIT Customer Support; etc.)

28. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change OIT & academic services improve • just-in-time software updates (better response to students’ demands) • remodel IT support elsewhere on campus • compels academic depts. to improve their computer labs • OIT collaborates with academic departments to leverage purchase of needed software

29. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change Technology offerings improve • introduce / experiment with new applications: 3-D • individual massive file space • provide tablet computers, laptops, digital cameras • showcase new technology for student purchase (coming)

30. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change Student skills improve • superb assistance and training for all applications • options for creative, “jaw dropping” productions • gain skills in “tomorrow’s applications”; improve student marketability • presentation skills are honed • excellent student assistants are attracted to work in the commons setting

31. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change Collaborative leadership • Advisory Council of 2 Library & 3 OIT reps • policy, staffing, funding & refreshment of equipment & software, customer complaints • memo of understanding binds us

32. Learning commons:Catalyst for needed change Issues in collaboration • initial successes attract new partners onto the scene • collaborations greatly expand type and quality of services offered • informed, passionate leadership & skilled, committed staff are essential • expert observation, commentary & assessment • repercussions on all library programming, with over- arching goal to create splendid “Library for learning”

33. Learning commons: Catalyst for needed change