Computer Classroom Report - Fall 1996

Terms used in this document:

• Computer Classroom
  • Computer lab which is used primarly for academic instruction.
• Computer Lab
  • Any room managed by Lab Management, including Computer Classrooms, the New Media Lab, the Media Distribution Lab, and Terminal Labs.
• Class Use
  • Time scheduled for classes.
• Open Use
  • Time not scheduled for classes which is available for open, drop-in use. This time is used mainly by students for completing class assignments and general computer/Internet access.

• The amount of time reserved for classes in the computer classrooms steadily increased.

  Computer classroom usage for classes rose from 13.65% in Fall 1992 to 41.17% Spring 1996 with an estimated 50.18% for Fall 1996. This had the effect of reducing the amount of time available for class assignment work and open use.

  The following three graphs show usage by total and by computer type for reserved classes and class assignment time. Rooms are available from Monday to Friday 8 am to 6 pm.

  

  

  
  The Fall 96 data is based on the historical trend for class hours and the amount of hours the labs will be open that quarter.

  The following chart shows usage for one week (M-F 8-6) during Spring 1996. The classrooms were open a total of 339 hours, of which 142 were reserved for class use and 197 were available for open use. Of the available open use, the average used time was 76.2%. When combined with the class use this gives an average use of 86.2%.

  

• The level of users remained relatively constant.

  Lab Management continued to provide support for general academic use, with the total number of users reaching 11,157 in Spring 1996 including 10,358 students.

• The total number of available computer seats dropped from 318 as of Fall 1992 to 273 as of Fall 1996.

  Over the year the number of PC seats decreased slightly from 118 to 112 while the number of Mac seats decreased from 153 to 130. Part of the loss is a result of the closing of the computer classroom in Room 233 in Social Sciences and Humanities.

  

• The number of computer labs dropped from 17 in Fall 1992 to 12 in Fall 1996.

  

• Saturation peaked out in the "quality" computer classrooms.

  Computer classrooms were open 55 days in Spring Quarter 1996 (including holidays and finals).

  Computer classrooms, such as 163 Shields and 1102 Hart, with their good quality machines and good campus locations reached maximum capacity.

  The chart below shows how many days over one quarter each computer classroom exceeded 80% and 90% usage in an hour.

  	> 90%	> 80%
  1102 Hart	47	53
  1131 Meyer	39	49
  14/86 Hutch	1	18
  163 Shields	53	54
  233 SSH	17	32
  241/247 Olson	7	8
  301A Surge IV	29	44
  307 SurgeIV	5	10
  8 Hutch	30	45

• An Emphasis on Client Service

  In order to provide a higher quality instructional environment, Lab Management began a systematic review of its practices and services.

  • A client satisfaction survey was conducted.

  • Three areas were identified as needing immediate attention:

    1. Physical layout (e.g., too crowded, poor quality HVAC, seat arrangement, etc.)

    • "The rooms in Hutchison are too small, poorly arranged for teaching, and have poor HVAC."
    • "The AC in 301A SurgeIV is too noisy."

    2. Outdated machines (e.g., machines up to 5+ years old)

    3. Inadequate projection setup (e.g., outdated equipment, poor screens, ambient light, etc.)

    • "... projection plates ... old and fuzzy"
    • "Rooms need projection screens."

  • As a result, Lab Management implemented a plan to address these faculty and student needs.

    Specifically, Lab Management:

    1. Upgraded the quality of the microcomputer environment
       • Moved computer classrooms from Hutchison to Olson

       • Outreached to faculty in design of new Olson classrooms

    2. Formulated and implemented a program to upgrade computers in a timely manner
       • Ensured all machines be less than three years old and adequately run current software

       • Worked to reduce average age of machines.

         

    3. Created and started implementation of a plan to improve the projection setup in all classrooms. This plan included:
       • Assessment and replacement of equipment, as needed, to provide good quality projection

       • Installation of projection screens, where needed, in all classrooms

       • Resolution of other issues related to poor projection setup (e.g. viewing angle, ambient light)

• Cost Effective Computer Access

  Lab Management provided access to 302 computers over the 1995-96 school year. The average cost of maintaining each station was $3,642. As comparison, Gartner Group (an IT consulting firm) reports "A typical PC/LAN environment can cost more than $10,000 per user per year to operate." The average cost per user per quarter (with roughly 11,000 users per quarter) was $33.00. In 1995-96, the average cost per hour of open use in a computer classroom was roughly $1.71. As comparison, local copy shops charge as much as $12.00 per hour for computer access.

  

Lab Management's goals for the next academic year include:

• Overhaul management model/practice; design and implement a vision plan.

• Develop a program to improve the quality of service provided by student assistants.

• Increase microcomputer access by creating new, high-quality computer classroom space.

• Test pilot project to provide network access ports across campus.

Comments: tcleamy@ucdavis.edu URL: http://lm.ucdavis.edu/pubs/labrep/fall96/ Last updated: October 18, 1996