--- Forwarded Message from Karina Wright <[log in to unmask]> --- >Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 10:17:44 -0500 >From: Karina Wright <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: #6032 LL furniture/layout dilemma >To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum <[log in to unmask]> >References: <[log in to unmask]> ------------------ My lab has 15 stations divided into 3 rows with each row in a 3x2 configuration (the three stations on one side of the aisle are each 4 feet wide and the two of the other side of the aisle are 5 feet wide (all are 30" deep). Each station has a divider between it and the one next to it for some privacy and soundproofing (we use miked headphones, so it is actually reasonably quiet with even a full class). The rows face a white-boarded wall which satisfies the instructional need. However, the width of the stations and the use of rolling seating allows 2 or 3 students to be able to sit at one station and work together with reasonable ease (I know this happens, because I have to come and rearrange my chairs every morning). ----- Original Message ----- From: "LLTI-Editor" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 8:12 AM Subject: #6032 LL furniture/layout dilemma --- Forwarded Message from Kirk Anderson <[log in to unmask]> --- >Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 16:44:51 -0500 >To: [log in to unmask] >From: Kirk Anderson <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: LL furniture/layout dilemma >Cc: [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask] ------------------ Dear LLTI readers, As we contemplate what our renovated language lab will look like, some faculty want it to be primarily an instructional space, with some sound and visual isolation, clear sightlines to the instructor --a place where exercises and even tests can be administered with a minimum of student-to-student contact. The traditional forward-facing rows would seem to be the best layout for that sort of thing. Of course, other faculty are more excited about monitoring individual students doing self-paced activities, or having students collaborate in twos and threes. These instructors feel they would be best served by a cluster or perhaps U-shaped arrangement. These divergent needs have obvious implications for choices of hardware and software, but our immediate concern is the furniture and layout. (Is there any way to allow movement of the desks/carrels with mimimum risk to the wiring?) I would welcome suggestions from others who have confronted, with or without success, this dilemma. thanks in advance, Kirk Anderson French Studies Dept Wheaton College MA