Overview of Centrally Time Tabled Room Refurbishment Summer 2014

General

As many of you are aware the project to refurbish Llandinam CTT rooms and Hugh Owen A12 lecture theatre is in progress.

In line with the refurbishment of Hugh Owen and Llanbadarn CTT rooms in 2013 all rooms will have following:

  • Upgrade of audio visual equipment
  • New controllable lighting
  • New floor covering
  • Re-decoration
  • New blackout curtains
  • Ceilings will be replaced where required
  • Writing surfaces
  • All chairs will be fully adjustable cushioned task seating, except for A6 and Hugh Owen A12, these being traditional lecture theatres.
  • Where required new heating and ventilation will be installed.
  • Improved wireless coverage.

 

 

The AV equipment consists of:

  • An Aberystwyth University branded height adjustable lectern. These will be identical to those installed in Hugh Owen and Llanbadarn in 2013 with the exception of A12, A6 and B23 ( see below)
  • A multi touch interactive screen on the lectern.
  • PC
  • Data projection or large flat screen. Where appropriate dual projection will be provided.
  • A document camera
  • Microphones for lecture capture and where required voice amplification.
  • Programme sound amplification.
  • Blu-ray DVD player.
  • Audio induction loops.
  • Lighting control on the lectern.

 

 

 

The rooms

Llandinam B23

This is the general concept of Llandinam B23.

The main points are:

  • There are some minor changes to this layout but the overall concept is that the lectern is re-located from the front of the room to a mid-point between the doors. This allows the lecturer to be better located within the room.
  • There will be two projectors along the teaching wall (the wall with doors).
  • The computer screens will fold away within the desk. This has several advantages:
  1. The room becomes multi-functional i.e. a computer room, or a traditional type room, or a mix of the two.
  2. The back to back layout of the desks enables the setting up of collaborative groups.
  3. It provides a better layout for examinations.
  • The content on the teaching PC can be pushed to all computer screens. There are other functions to this software that training will be provided for. (see below)
  • New air handling will be installed
  • New ceiling and lighting to be installed.
  • Improved audio provision.
  • All desks will have a 13 amp twin power outlet and USB charging point for mobile device connectivity. 
  • New windows to be installed (the glass type not Microsoft)

This was a difficult room to fully meet the ideal layout due to its shape and capacity which needs to be maintained. The most obvious compromise is that the desks are at 90⁰ to the teaching wall but it was decided that the overall design and ability to use the room in several ways, as opposed to the single use design previously, was the most appropriate.

The software being installed in the room to allow sharing of content is LanSchool. Video Tutorials can be found here http://www.lanschool.com/support/tutorials and PDF version here http://lanschool-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/ls78/LanSchool78%20User%20Guide.pdf

In house training will also be available from Information Services.

 

Llandinam B20

This room is best suited to collaborative learning. It will have 4 large screens, two on the long teaching wall and one at either end of the room.

New windows.

 

 

 

Llandinam B22

This is a traditional style room with dual projection and tilt and fold tables on casters for ease of reconfiguration if desired.

New windows will be installed.

 

 

Llandinam G3

This is a Turn and Learn configuration enabling traditional or group learning. The existing rake will be kept.

 

Llanadinam G3a

This is a traditional style room with a large flat screen and tilt and fold tables on casters for ease of reconfiguration if desired.

Example configuration.

Llandinam A6

A6 lecture theatre will have all seating and desk areas replaced. This will provide a far more comfortable environment, the desk width will be deeper for placing writing pads and mobile device on.

Dual projection and an improved audio will be installed.

It is planned to open up a new entrance from the area between IBERS and A6 later in the year.

There are no graphics for A6.

Llandinam C63, C64 and C65

These rooms will be equipped with rectangular tilt and swivel tables on casters. The rooms will be reconfigurable to suit the needs of the class. The long walls will be used for the teaching wall allowing better use of the space.

C63 and C64 will have dual projection. C65 will have a large format flat screen.

There are no graphics for these rooms.

Llandinam Concourse

The graphic below gives a very basic idea of the proposed changes to the concourse. There will be a new ceiling and lighting installed. It is hoped that the new design will energise the area making it a more attractive and popular location for students to meet and study.

 

The tables you see will allow students to connect up to 4 mobile devices simultaneously to the large screen mounted at the end of each desk and easily switch between them with a push button interface. This is ideal for group work and something that students have requested.

 

The central area will have pod type furniture added, the exact configuration has yet to be confirmed but the graphics below gives the concept.

 

 

 

Hugh Owen A12

A12 is our largest lecture theatre and is about 22 yrs old. The lecture theatre will be refurbished in two phases. This has been necessitated by the demand on the room and timescales.

Phase 1 summer 2014

This phase was completed on 1st September 2014.

The seating will remain as it is for now with the probability that it will be changed within 3 years. Extra seats are to be fitted to the front and rear to raise capacity by 35, this will help with some of our largest classes.

The audio visual equipment will be upgraded, unfortunately the shape of the front of the room precludes dual projection.  A new height adjustable lectern will be located in the centre of the auditorium.  New carpet and decoration will be included.

Phase 2 December 2014

This phase will mainly be concerned with replacing the lighting and giving more control of it to the lecturer.  In the interim the lighting control will be on the wall mounted switches just inside the entrance. This is not ideal but will only be for a short period so your understanding will be appreciated.

 

This is a graphic of the lectern to be installed in A6, B23 and Hugh owen A12

 

 

If you have any questions please contact Pauline Ewan pae@aber.ac.uk