Student Needs and Expectations in D.H. Hill Library

Liz JohnsMay 2012

Technology Use and Collaboration in Group Study Rooms

Outline

• About the study• Methodology• Results• Recommendations

About the Study

• Research Questions• Changes in library

spaces• Students and

Technology

Research Questions

How are students using the group study rooms?› Are they using the rooms to collaborate?› How are they using technology?

What does the Libraries need to improve?

Library spaces are changing!

1950 2012

What do we know already about students?

They are accustomed to integration of modern technology into their everyday lives.› Technology is an expected service.

Multitasking is habitual.› Students use multiple technologies at once.

Students prefer to work together in groups rather than alone, even if they are not working on the same projects.

Methodology

• Data Collection• Observations• Surveys

Data Collection

13 group study rooms Weekdays 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. Surveys and Observations

› Data available in the Libraries’ Survey Monkey account.

› 50 groups observed, total of 123 students› 29 surveys, 111 students› 234 total students

Observations

Does the activity seem academic or social?

Are students interacting with each other or working silently?

How many students are using laptops?

Have students used the whiteboard markers or writable surfaces?

What other materials or technologies are students using?

Charging equipment?

How many students are using headphones?

Are students using the projectors?

Technology Indicators

Collaboration Indicators

Indicators of Collaboration and Technology Use

Surveys

How do you know the students in the room with you?

What kind of project/assignment were you working on?

What kind of technology or equipment would you like in the room that is not already present, and how would you use it?

Did you use the projectors? Why?

Why did you choose to use the library group study room?

Technology IndicatorsCollaboration Indicators

Indicators of Collaboration and Technology Use

What do you like best about this room?

What would you change?

Exploratory Questions

Results

• Group Size• Activity in Rooms• Writable Walls• Projection Screens• Lacking Technology• Collaboration• Student preferences

and suggestions

Group Size

1-6 students per room, except 1 group of 11

Average = 3 Most common group

size = 2

111%

66% 5

6%

415%

323%

235%

113%

Figure 2. Students per RoomCombined Observations and Surveys

(Number of rooms/Total rooms)

Activity in Rooms

Academic Social Unsure0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

78.0%

14.6%

7.3%

Figure 7. Academic vs. Social Activity,Combined Observations and Surveys

Writable Walls

More often than not they were not used.

Complaints:› Not enough markers in room.› Didn’t like colored walls. Liked the color in

the room, but not as writable surfaces. However, 31% indicated that the dry-

erase walls were one of the things they liked best about the rooms or why they chose to study there

Projection Screens

70% of the time not in use. Only 2% of observed students were

using the screens to full capacity, with different content on each screen

Complaints:› Mac adaptors not available in rooms.› Many unable to get the screens to work.

Also cited as a reason for using the room or one of the most desirable features.

Lacking Technology

Bean bag chairs More soundproof Audio

› Speakers In table iPads SMART Boards Hawaii Five-0

Other10%

Markers14%

Mac Adaptor14%

Audio24%

Visual Technology

38%

Figure 12. Suggestions for New Technology

Relation to Pop CultureHawaii Five-0 “Surface Table”

Collaboration

Unsure10%

Non-col-

labo-rative35%

Collaborative55%

Figure 13. Collaborative Work: Combined Observations and Surveys

What students like about the group study rooms

Quiet

Not di

sturb

othe

rs

Priv

acy

Locati

on

Table

spac

e

Whi

teboa

rd

Comfo

rt/Fu

rnitu

re

Techn

olog

y

Conce

ntrat

ion

Size

Light

ing

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

55%

38% 38%

34% 34%

31% 28%

21%

10% 10%

3%

Figure 14. Common Themes: S6 and S7

Suggested Changes from Students

Wall color21%

Room Configuration/Furniture17%

Markers10%Size

10%

Cleanliness7%

Lighting7%

Temperature7%

Windows7%

Technology problem7%

Sound3%

Availability3%

Figure 15. Suggested Changes

Recommendations

• How NCSU students study

• Future studies for the Libraries

• Suggestions for D.H. Hill

• Suggestions for Future Spaces

What was learned about how students study?

Social aspect Control Variety Large spaces Simplicity Instant gratification

Further Study

Interviews with students Further explore projection use. Are two

screens really necessary? Explore non-academic use of rooms

› Why were they in the library, and not somewhere else on campus? Shortage of campus space for groups to hold meetings?

› Does library have access to technology or resources other campus locations lack?

› Does the library want to encourage non-academic use of the rooms?

Suggested Changes for D.H. Hill

Consider adding additional rooms to fit more than 6 people.

Replace colored writable walls with white walls, and paint a non-writable surface a different color.

Speakers Install clearer directions for using projection

screens. Hang more permanent signs directing students to

Learning Commons Service Desks for assistance or materials.

Install Mac adaptors? Better website content

Future Spaces

Large tables. Comfortable, flexible furniture. White writable walls, color on other walls. Mac adaptors for screens. Permanent signs directing students to help. Speakers built into monitors or installed

separately. Lights that can be dimmed or adjusted. Temperature control.

Questions?