The Middle School Learning Commons - Part 2

   In the first part of this series, the library space was highlighted as one-half of the Learning Commons.  In this second part, we'll take a look at the MakerSpace.
   MakerSpace areas have gained traction as hands-on learning areas. Some emphasize digital learning, some emphasize more traditional craft work and some are all-purpose spaces accommodating a wide range of learning activities. Our MakerSpace emphasizes digital learning, though leaves room for other types of projects.  A good example of the digital learning that will occur in our MakerSpace involves Arduino Boards.  These mini-processors allow students to learn basic coding and enable students to literally see their code translate into actions.  Arduino Boards can be programmed to complete functions such as make a light blink, play a tune, read a switch and create a LED graph. The MakerSpace is well stocked with Arduino Boards and associated peripherals.
   Though the space is monitored by Lia Carruthers, any MS teacher can schedule class time in the MakerSpace.  On a weekly basis, Carrie Petkiewich is bringing her Computer Education classes to the MakerSpace as well. Clearly, right away, the space is getting used.
   I dropped in on the MakerSpace and happened into a lesson Frank Corrado led involving Google SketchUp (design software).  The students were using the new set of Surface 3 tablets to create architectural renderings.

Students, using their Surface 3 tablets, work on their designs. If needed, any of the devices can send a print job to the wireless printer in the room.

   Frank used his tablet to stream instructional materials to the TV on the wall.

A 55" flat screen LCD TV offers excellent resolution.

      Other features of the room include a couple of 3D printers, plenty of counter top and storage space that includes a sink, a cart full of supplies and a printer.

Above, two 3D printers sit atop a counter top already filling in with projects.

The cart offers plenty of supplies for student projects.

   

The Middle School Learning Commons - Part 1

   This is the first of a 2-part series on the new Middle School Learning Commons.

   After a summer's worth of renovation work, a new space has been brought to life in Conover.  It's called The Learning Commons and features two distinct areas. One area serves as the Middle School library. (The other area, the MakerSpace, will be featured in the next post.) After years of doing without, grades 5-8 now have a collection of books and research materials housed in a space specifically designed to serve its needs.
   The library has a number of distinct elements. There is, of course, shelving full of books and other related materials. Most of this collection can be checked out to students or faculty for use outside of Conover.  It's clear that the Middle School has quite a few readers; works of fiction are "flying off the shelves" according to Librarian Lia Carruthers.

 

  The library also has a SMARTBoard that is available for instructional use. Research projects are often centered in library research, and the Middle School now has an well-appointed facility for class instruction.

   Lia's desk is in the library space, but it is positioned for a sight line into the MakerSpace, the other area of the Learning Commons. She's seen in the picture below configuring several of the twenty Surface 3 tablets that are used for both research and MakerSpace projects. Just beyond her desk, you'll notice the mobile cart that is used to charge the tablets and transport them to classrooms in Conover as needed.  

In the picture's background, sliding glass doors separate the library from the MakerSpace.

   One last noteworthy feature of the library is the built-in display cabinet fashioned by Bob Ort.  The design allows for onlookers in the exterior hallway or from within the library to see exhibited books and materials.

   Coming up in the next post: a look at the MakerSpace.

Old Needs, New Approaches

   Over the last couple of years, two new approaches to technology usage have gained a foothold at GSB. Both are welcome changes because they effectively address user needs while offering cost effective, environmentally sound solutions. Neither are particularly dramatic, yet both offer a path towards a more sensible technology environment at school.
   The first approach involves document printing. It's no secret that printing is expensive and exacts an environmental toll. I've learned to view printers as devices designed to sell ink.  In that regard they're very successful. It's impossible to say how many printer cartridges we as a school purchase in the course of a year. That's because purchasing is not centralized. But even a casual observer knows that we go through quite a few cartridges.
   What if we could print with equal clarity, but each printed sheet would cost less and carry a reduced environmental impact? In fact, we can we do just that and we've been moving towards increasing the number of people utilizing this new, improved approach to printing.  Simply put, it involves sending print jobs to a copying machine instead of a printer.
    How can you print to a copying machine?  First. the copying machine needs to be networked. Many, but not all of our copying machines are now networked. Second, your computer needs to be configured so a copying machine shows up as an available device as you create a new print job. Then, it's as simple as selecting the copying machine as you access your print editing screen, and click on Print.
   Are there downsides? At this point, two are commonly apparent. One involves convenience. Printers typically sit on user's desk, so as print job is completed, the paperwork is instantly available. Printing to a copying machine usually involves a walk to a copying machine to retrieve a job. (It's also worth noting that occasionally, a printed document contains sensitive information. Users could be understandably reluctant to have sensitive documents printing to a remote copying machine.) Another downside involves color. All our networked copying machines are back and white.  If a user wanted to print a color document, a traditional desktop printer remains the sole solution.
   Both the convenience and color issues point to the fact that this approach to document printing has gained traction in school offices, but classroom teachers continue to find the downsides to be significant impediments.  In the future, bringing color copying machines to areas convenient to classroom faculty may provide us with a more sustainable approach to printing. And making an effort to network all our copying machines - which can involve significant infrastructure work - remains on the school's to-do list.
   At the outset of this post, I mentioned two new approaches to technology usage. In addition to how we're printing, there's also a change to how we're viewing. Over the last ten years as digital technologies became a part of how we presented and viewed information in group settings, digital projectors were the devices of choice. At GSB, they appeared as stand alone devices, as ceiling mounted classroom fixtures and as integrated devices in SMARTBoard systems.  
   In the last year or two, however, we've begun to change our approach.  LCD TVs are now beginning to replace projectors as new spaces are renovated for new uses.  These TVs are now cheaper than projectors for a similar screen size and offer significantly better clarity and color reproduction.  They can be directly cabled to a computer via a HDMI line for excellent screen duplication.  And using a duplication system like Apple AirPlay or a Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter, users can wirelessly mirror their computer displays to the TV.
   Two recent examples are in the Middle School Learning Commons and the Upper School photo lab. Both spaces were newly created over this last summer.  In the MakerSpace section of the Learning Commons, a 55" flat screen TV wirelessly connects to the Surface 3 tablets students and teachers are using via the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter. In this way, instruction can be provided to groups and work can be shared by students and faculty alike.
   In the new photo lab in downstairs Founders, the 55" TV connects to all the iMac desktops in the room via Apple AirPlay.  Again, the technology provides the system for content delivery by the teacher and for work sharing by all class members.  

Old needs, new approaches: a brief video illustration featuring Lia Carruthers and Dave Pasquale 

with a cameo appearance by Lauren O'Leary