A redesigned student support lab and new learning spaces in the library at Penn State York are providing a more conducive atmosphere and expanded opportunities for collaborative learning and group projects.
The student lab in the M.S. Grumbacher Information Sciences and Technology Center originally had 26 individual workstations in what was a relatively small room, and no more than six to eight students would be seen working in the lab at any given time. The limited use of the computer lab, which most often had students working alone at a workstation in the old fashioned way, necessitated an upgrade, said Joe Royer, assistant director of information technology at York.
The lab is now outfitted with a flexible design to meet the needs of diverse groups of users, offering two collaborative spaces with conference-style tables, whiteboards, and multi-person connectivity to 52-inch LCD displays. Royer said the new workspace is now used almost daily for a variety of projects.
“More and more curriculums are incorporating collaboration and team-driven efforts for course deliverables. Having adequate space available for this style of work is crucial not only in meeting [student] expectations, but so we can keep them on campus and engage them with other resources that may further enhance their college experience,” Royer said.