Seating, workspace, power and Ethernet for students

Each student should have four square feet of workspace to simultaneously accommodate a laptop, mouse, and notes.

Classrooms, seating capacity less than 50:
- Moveable tables and chairs.
- Provide ample electrical outlets and wired Ethernet connections around outside wall of classroom to allow at least three-fourths of the class to connect simultaneously.
Classrooms, seating capacity 50 – 100:
- Continuous, fixed tables with moveable chair, or round tables with moveable chairs.
- Provide each student with electrical outlet and wired Ethernet connection at their seat.
- For teaching via lecture, use tiered floors with continuous tables.
- For teaching via collaborative learning, use round tables in a flat room. Use multiple projections screens for a large room, and marker board imaging with round tables.
Auditoriums, seating capacity 100 – 200:
- Continuous, fixed tables and moveable chairs.
- Provide each student with electrical outlet and wired Ethernet connection at their seat.
- Whenever possible, use tiered floors

Wired Ethernet is recommended in all configurations above based on the limitations of wireless networking. These limitations include data transfer rates, the number of users, and signal interference. For classes larger than 50 students, wireless networking has particular challenges.

Instructor Station

Each room should have an instructor station, capable of accommodating the following:

Multi-media instructor workstation with chair and computer with confidence monitor
Instructor station instruction sheet, including a description of equipment featured and who to call for assistance.
Switch to project video (VHS) if needed; DVD/audio/video through computer
Power / data / network connection for personal laptop
Space for instructor reference materials
Task lights that do not interfere with screen or marker board visibility
Remote mouse / slide advance / laser pointer

Marker Boards and Computer Projection

Each room, when space permits, should provide a projection screen and marker board so they can be used simultaneously, spaced far enough apart so that light on the marker board does not affect screen visibility. Projector should be ceiling mounted to allow unobstructed view. Projected image should be large enough to guarantee visibility from all points in the room.

Access Aisles

Each room should have a minimum of two, preferably three access aisles: minimum 36" wide aisle leading to front of room; minimum 28" wide aisles in other locations.

Lighting

Locate projected images away from windows, and avoid lights in front of screens and marker boards.
Install dimmable lighting for seating areas and blackout lighting over screens and marker boards.
Install window coverings that are easy to operate, providing electrically-operated shades when budgets permit.
Use opaque window coverings to reduce natural light levels when needed.
Avoid use of mini-blinds, as they allow too much light into the room and are difficult to clean and operate.
Consider lighting controls that automatically turn off lights in vacant rooms when budget permits.

Audio

For classes larger than 50 students, a room audio system becomes important. This may include a stationary or wireless microphone system. The system should also broadcast computer audio and VHS audio if used.