Monday, August 04, 2008

Sustainable Design":

Sustainable Design: Schools and Kindergartens: A Design Manual book coverJon from The Building Bookshop, has pointed out the book "Sustainable Design: Schools and Kindergartens: A Design Manual" by Mark Dudek (Birkhäuser Basel, 2007). This has quite a bit to say on designing for computers in education:

1. on Page 22:
"... will continue to do so at an ever-increasing rate. Today's 5- to 7 year olds are the fastest-growing segment of computer users. If you look only a few years ahead, their teenage siblings typically have five to six applications running at ..."
2. on Page 23:
"... Physical learning environments need to be adapted to further enable and encourage this shift. Dedicated spaces within classrooms and dedicated computer labs are being replaced with the oppor- tunities to ..."
3. on Page 118:
"... accommodated in the daytime teach- ing area will be three further teaching courtyards for the junior and senior schools, the computer and science laboratories, a library and community resource facility, art studios, an open-air assembly courtyard and a large multi-purpose hall. ..."
4. on Page 120:
"... 2 Offices 7 Science classroom 3 Kindergarten 8 Gymnasium 4 Multipurpose space 9 Library 5 Cafeteria 10 Computer laboratory ~:~~--•~°' _~ -~, ~l ,....~ „~:. ..."
5. on Page 144:
"... required a significant expansion of its accommodation including a new school kitchen and refectory/dining hall, a music room, a computer suite, a gymnasium and six classrooms. ..."
6. on Page 146:
"... >r . T ,,-'- - - Tr .. Ground floor plan (semi-basement) 1 Classrooms 2 Locker room 3 Gymnasium 4 Computer room 1 Coloured concrete panels I View of the refectory I Views of typical classroom I Subdued colours and wooden ..."
7. on Page 147:
"... of five identical classrooms, which open directly onto the wooded landscape beyond The computer room is located ..."
8. on Page 161:
"... , - 7 2 Computer classroom 7 Multipurpose space 11 Science cln,u„,n 3 Art classroom 8 Gallery 12 Kindergarten 4 Administration 9 Classroom (Head Start, ..."
9. on Page 177:
"... L ii 11 ~ First floor plan - . - 8 Middle school classrooms 9 Open court 10 Mediatheque 11 Computer room 12 Communal work and social areas ¡.. ,.,.~_... ....._-....__.. M X I = I ff Sections ? ..."
10. on Page 180:
"... opposite direction towards the open countryside beyond. On the second lower floor there are science laboratories and the sixth form computer room with spaces for vocational training, ..."
11. on Page 239:
"... computer and power access for study and smaller social groups outside the classrooms; the school's main canteen and dining area spreads ..."
12. on Page 245:
"... differentiated ceiling planes which create the sense of drama within the new building. Flexible technology is not just about computer aided learning, an individual working on his or her own, contained by four walls and the screen anyplace. ..."

1-5 of 5 pages with references to internet:

1. on Page 18:
"... school. It is planned that the new complex will include a business/workshop vil- lage, leased office and shop space, an Internet café, a fitness and leisure centre. ..."
2. on Page 48:
"... fitted kitchen for each group; many kindergartens do have this); room for special activities such as language training and development, internet and PC; an administrative office (if possible with a view of the entrance, playgrounds and interior); 1 staffroom for relaxation, ..."
3. on Page 105:
"... a greenhouse for educational and therapeutic plant- ing and an Internet café. The external site amenities include learning gardens, formal and informal playing fields, an outdoor stage, covered arcades, parking and ..."
4. on Page 193:
"... A suite of new classrooms in the middle school is furnished with specially designed timber fittings and integrated wireless Internet access There is seating for up to 20 students in each. Special consideration has been given to classroom acoustics in ..."
5. from Copyright:
"... The Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche Nationalbibliografie, detailed bibliographic data is available in the Internet at http //dnb. ..."

interactive:

1. on Page 235:
"... bases of 60 square metres for each year group. Each classroom has flat screen Apple Macs with teachers standing at interactive white boards. ..."

From the book description:
In a global economy, the importance of education is now widely recognized. Furthermore, in the wake of international assessment studies, schools and kindergartens have become a focus of great public interest. As a new generation of educational environments are designed and built, this Design Manual illustrates the most up-to-date educational strategies and how they are realized in built form.

With 80 case studies from Europe, North America and the Pacific Region, this is an essential guide for architects involved in the design of schools and kindergartens. This specialized field encompassing ever-changing educational theories is explained in the context of varying national and regional approaches. Among the key themes analyzed are aspects such as the impact of modern communication technology, urban integration or internal circulation. The book will also be of interest to educationalists, parents and the wider community.


About the Author

The author is a practicing architect and a Research Fellow at the School of Architecture, University of Sheffield. He is a consultant to organizations involved in the design of schools and kindergartens, including the UK Government s "Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment".

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