{"id":14129,"date":"2018-11-15T16:17:01","date_gmt":"2018-11-15T16:17:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/?p=14129"},"modified":"2023-07-14T11:00:02","modified_gmt":"2023-07-14T18:00:02","slug":"open-learning-lab","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/news\/2018\/11\/15\/open-learning-lab","title":{"rendered":"Open Learning Lab renovated for flexibility"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Douglas Esser<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kyle
Kohl Dybdahl, a Media and Communication Studies major, has been creating graphic designs since he was a high school student in Steilacoom, Washington.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When he arrived at the University of Washington Bothell, he produced posters and pamphlets for clubs he joined. Dybdahl, above, was delighted to find the Open Learning Lab (OLL) <\/a>as a resource for his projects and a way to gain more experience with software resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over last summer, the OLL underwent a renovation, thanks to $232,000 from the Student Technology Fee Committee. The lab in Commons Hall (UW2-140) reopened on Oct. 15 with a new design, computing equipment and furniture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dybdahl is now even more delighted with the resource.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was just fantastic,\u201d said Dybdahl, who is working to graduate in 2020. \u201cThe difference is night and day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rows of computers on tables have been replaced by 32 workstations, including 13 Windows and 19 Mac computers, in a more open layout. \u201cThere\u2019s a sense of privacy, but there\u2019s also a sense of collaboration,\u201d said Dybdahl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also likes that each station has an up-down desk, so he can stand. \u201cI\u2019m a taller guy, so I don\u2019t usually get the experience of finding a desk at my height,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The adjustable desks are also common at graphic design firms he has toured. \u201cIt\u2019s a good way to start experiencing the work flow the way employees would,\u201d Dybdahl said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The big screen Avacor Surface Hub on a wall is like the one he saw at a Microsoft store, \u201cand now I see it here!\u201d The 65-inch touch screen allows groups of students to collaborate on a project, with each person able to draw on the screen by hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Big
Renovated Open Learning Lab \/ Marc Studer photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The lab, which welcomes about 12,000 student visits a year, is the only drop-in computer lab on campus. Other computer labs on campus are used for classes, said Salem Levesque, a digital learning specialist in the UW Bothell Office of Digital Learning & Innovation, which is part of the Office of Academic Affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the gateway for students to get help with the digital media and e-learning tools that we have,\u201d Levesque said. \u201cThis lab is for the whole campus, creating space for students to come and work, to have real flexibility, to work how they feel comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Open
Renovated Open Learning Lab \/ Marc Studer photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The lab\u2019s new features include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n