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June 2006, Week 2

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From:
LLTI-Editor <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 13 Jun 2006 14:00:45 EDT
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--- Forwarded Message from Daniel Tom <[log in to unmask]> ---

>Date: Fri, 09 Jun 2006 15:36:30 -1000
>From: Daniel Tom <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Help with redesigning office space
>To: "'Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum'"   
<[log in to unmask]>
>Importance: Normal

We have a rather large office space, half of which we are considering
reconfiguring over the summer.  The area we are redesigning is approximately
47 feet long and 22 feet wide.  Some of you on the list have seen it while
visiting us.  A portion of the space (16x12) is currently taken up by
shelves holding archival reel to reel and cassette tapes.  These tapes are
being digitized and preserved on CD and when this is completed we can get
rid of the shelves and the tapes thus freeing this area for other use.  Our
secretary retired at the end of December 2005 and her desk, file cabinets
and shelves occupy a back corner space (15x12) just beyond the shelves
mentioned above.  In other words our secretary was not up front by the main
door to our office and was not the first point of contact for faculty or
students.  Instead my desk is opposite the main entrance and I'm the first
point of contact for anyone coming in.  We have not yet hired a new
secretary and the plan is to have the new secretary move to the front near
the door to have more interaction with faculty and students which the
previous secretary did not have.  

Currently as you walk in the door, you see a row of 4 computers to your left
against a wall.  These are for anyone to walk in and quickly check e-mail.
These computers would probably stay in their present position.  On your
right are two 3 x 3.5 foot bookshelves that serve as a countertop and space
divider.  Beyond those is a 2.5 foot high x 5 foot long cabinet with counter
top containing checkout equipment.  We check out tape recorders, CD players,
camcorders and tripods from our office and the equipment to be checked out
is placed on the counter top of the cabinet for instructors to pick up
before class and to return after class.  This way they don't have to walk
too far into the office to get the equipment.  If we move our secretary to
the front, then her desk and accompanying file cabinets and shelves would
occupy that space and we would have to relocate the equipment check out
area.  

In addition we check out AV Carts with Monitors and VCRs and/or DVD players.
These currently are "parked" in rows a little beyond the aforementioned
computers against the windows and faculty come in and then wheel them out
the door to take to class.  They are a short distance down from my desk and
are easily accessible.  However, it has been suggested that these be moved
to the space being freed up with the removal of the shelves.  This could
mean that faculty will have to walk further into our office to get them.  

We are limited in what we can do to the space along the windows as there are
built-in teacher carrels that were once used by teachers to listen to
students' oral production on cassettes.  Since these are built-in with 3
inch thick sound proof wall dividers, they can't be moved or easily
dismantled.  The best we can do is convert them to other uses such as a
video viewing station or video to DVD conversion station, etc.  

Since we are a service unit we want to keep our office as open as possible
with easy accessibility to check-out equipment and with smooth traffic
patterns.  We also want easy accessibility to personnel for assistance.  We
do have money to buy new office furniture and portable panels or partitions
if necessary.  Right now it is the nine foot high shelves that serve to
partition off spaces.  

It is very difficult after being used to one configuration for over 10 years
to try to envision new configurations and spatial patterns.  Do any of you
have experience redesigning your office space and could offer suggestions or
models?  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Suggestions from
those of you who have actually seen our office would be most helpful.

Aloha,
Daniel Tom
Language Learning Center
University of Hawaii at Manoa
E-mail:  [log in to unmask]
Voice:   808-956-5118


 


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