The Technology Sandbox

a test bed and showcase of new technologies and spaces

David Woodbury, Learning Commons Librarian

Origins of the project

• IMLS LSTA grant administered by the State Library of North Carolina

• The hard work of many others at NCSU Libraries especially Maurice York, Head of IT

• Need for a better understanding of emerging technologies

• Desire to serve as incubator and inspiration for campus

Existing Space at NCSU Libraries

• A successful 15,000 Sq Ft Learning Commons opened in 2007

• Digital Media Lab• Two study rooms• Presentation Practice

Room

Goals of the Technology Sandbox

• Renewing the learning commons concept• Prototyping and experimentation • Making technology-rich spaces available to all• Preparing for next generation of learning tools

Original Concept

Original Space

• 1700 sq ft• DIRTT wall to

enclose space• 50 seats• Adjacent to the

Creamery (ice cream shop)

Five Zones

1. SMART Board2. Perceptive Pixel3. Quad Screen4. Motion Gaming5. Multi-touch tables

View from entry

View towards entry

SMART Board Zone

Perceptive Pixel Zone

Quad Screen Zone

Gaming Zone

Surface Table Zone

Furniture in the Sandbox

• Haworth ToDo Chairs • Magis Voido Chairs• Eero Aarnio Tomato Chair, Focus 2 Chairs, &

Parabel Table• Kartell Max Tables• Frank Gehry Cubes• Herman Miller SAYL chairs, AVALL screen

stand, & whiteboard

What we’ve learned so far…

• Furniture that can be moved, will be• Resounding success for the SMART Board Zone• New technologies require a lot of back end

support• Analog technologies (e.g. whiteboards) are

important in the mix• Users will experiment (especially in an

engineering school)

www.learningspacetoolkit.com

• A collection of resources for planning new spaces or enhancing existing learning spaces

• Based on user-centered research• Tools published over the duration of the two

year project

Questions?

David WoodburyDavid_Woodbury@ncsu.edu