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Ramsey Library /
Space Planning /
Collaborative Learning Commons
Project Page
D. Hiden Ramsey Library, UNC Asheville |
Last revised 2/3/09
"A collaboratory for undergraduate
research
and learning"
The Collaborative Learning Commons (CLC),
currently being developed at UNC Asheville's Ramsey
Library, brings together a variety of elements
to foster student exploration and inquiry in new and
creative ways. It is not a static computer lab. Rather,
it incorporates the freedom of wireless communication,
flexible workspace clusters that promote interaction and
collaboration, and comfortable furnishings, art, and
design to make users feel relaxed, encourage creativity,
and support peer-learning. To this, add some specialized
software, audio-video capabilities, self-help graphics
services, color imaging, and production/presentation
software catered to student learning and needs and it
becomes a one-stop collaboratory for out-of-class
assignments, writing, research, and group projects.
See
Picasa Photo Album: Ramsey Library
- The Evolving Learning Commons
See
Conceptual Images from other universities
Phase I
Layout drawing by
Interior Systems, Inc.
Specifications and Features
- Approximately 3,600 square feet near the front
entrance of Ramsey Library in the area presently
occupied by current periodicals
- Improved wireless access throughout
- Four (4) multimedia editing/viewing workstations
with 46" LCD monitors;
serve dual purpose as docking stations for wireless
laptops (with 2-port KVM switch with audio)
- Workstations on 8' x 4' oval and half-circle tables
to encourage inclusiveness and participation; Designed
for groups of 4-5 students
-
SMART Board Interactive Display Frame
on a 58" Plasma HDTV surrounded by sofa and
tablet arm chairs; additional task chairs may be added for up to
10 users (See also 65"
HITACHI StarBoard PXDUO interactive plasma display)
- All workstations are passworded; for UNCA students,
faculty, and staff only; available on a first-come,
first-served basis
- Specialized software for specific programs and
majors (mathematics, multimedia, astronomy, foreign
languages, chemistry, etc.); word-processing,
presentation, and spreadsheet software; multimedia
production and editing capabilities; photo, video, and
audio editors; media players
Adobe Creative Suite 4, Google SketchUp Pro,
AutoCAD, ArcGIS, Mathematica, SAS, SciFinder
Scholar, Google Earth/Sky, MS WorldWide Telescope,
Celestia, Gimp, Audacity, Virtualdub, VideoSpin,
etc.
- Color scanner/copier
- Comfortable seating (loveseats, sofas) w/ottomans
and floor lamps
- Movable/customizable clusters of tablet arm chairs
and lounge chairs on casters
- Movable/customizable work tables
- Markerboard tables (work surfaces you can write on)
- Markerboard partitions on casters (see
KI All Terrain Mobile Furniture)
- Provides additional display/gallery space for
student shows, multimedia projects, exhibits, etc.
- Close proximity to laptop checkout service at
circulation desk and media browsing collection (DVDs,
CDs, videos)
Future Plans/Ideas
[click to enlarge]
Future Plans/Ideas
- Glass walls separate
the CLC from the rest of the library allowing for
increased hours (until 3-4 a.m.?). For example, see
NanaWall.
- Glass structure/rear entrance (blue area above)
provides access from Tennant Park and Reynolds Green
areas
- OneCard required for entry after midnight; UNCA
students, faculty, and staff only after midnight
- Wide-format color printer (plotter). See
HP DesignJet Printers.
- Mini self-help "copy center" for late nights and
weekends
- Color printer
- Large flatbed scanner?
- Walltalkers
Presentation Wallcoverings
- Expland concept of table and/or wall as writing
surface
- Noise reduction/absorption. Acoustic tiles? Focused
sound technology? White noise machines? (See focused
sound systems from
Audio Spotlight/Holosonic Research Labs)
- Movable partitions and screens.
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