Universal, one-size-fits-all classrooms cannot match the demands of the 21st century. Instead, campus planners and administrators should consider a range of solutions to fit different academic disciplines, faculty and student needs, and administrative req
In recent years, however, school design has shifted to include some very modern thinking how to create school buildings that not only reflect their surroundings, but also safeguard and respect the natural world around them. The principles of sustai
Crimes on campus robberies, assaults, burglaries, motor vehicle thefts, arson, and worse damage an institution's reputation, recruiting efforts, and retention capability. A technology like video analytics that can help prevent crime can also
Because atriums are so fundamental to a building's geometry, their effects should be studied early, and as thoroughly as possible. While energy modeling is usually undertaken only at the end of construction documentation, it's usually impossible to go bac
Many students would be quick to assert that they just use Facebook for fun. They don't believe that they are at risk. It is Facebook's vague and complicated privacy structure that leads to this misunderstanding. No matter how a student controls his or her
The Hawaii Department of Education relates school safety efforts to academic success.
In reality, there are green or sustainable alternatives for every product used in a restroom from the ceiling to the floor, including those components that are located behind the walls. Designing a sustainable restroom requires the same approach that must
The Center on Education Policy (CEP), an independent, nonprofit organization, recently released the results from a survey of 233 randomly selected school districts dealing with the state of these districts' budgets in the upcoming 2010-11 school year
How much space should we provide (and of what type) to accommodate the program we want to run now and into the 21st century? And that, more than anything else, is the question your district should answer first when it contemplates adding new school space.
One of the latest and fastest growing trends in high-tech is classroom amplification. But just buying a sound amplification system and installing it does not necessarily make an improvement in students' hearing. It may make it worse. On the other han
Higher education institutions across the nation are establishing a growing trend in providing EMS from within the institution, often with student-based volunteers. According to the National Collegiate EMS Foundation (NCEMSF an advocacy group for co
How do you prepare for a natural disaster? When Hurricane Ike struck Texas, the University of Houston was ready, and eventually received $26.3M for both obvious physical damage and hidden moisture damage as a result of the storm.
Campus safety assessments can reveal how different paper plans and actual practices are at institutions of higher learning. The gaps found and corrected through these processes are often the types of concerns that can recur if a system is not developed to
What do walls and ceilings have to do with creating a good learning environment in K-12 schools? Aren't these building systems simply supposed to look pleasant?
More and more, there are requirements for our departments to provide our campuses a safer and healthier living, working, and learning environment. Studies performed by ASHRAE link student performance to IAQ conditions. It is up to us to ensure our custome
Advances in technology have led to multiple types of distractions; texting while driving or difficulties staying focused on college homework. Yet, the latest classroom technology is perhaps changing that course by requiring students to be more responsive
When it comes to K-12 phased occupied construction, it is critical to keep students safe. However, students aren't the only ones using the site so are construction workers, teachers/administrators and visitors. Keeping everyone safe starts wit
It's hard to believe that summer vacation is almost over and students will soon be returning to the classroom. For me, the summer has been filled with traveling to conferences and trade shows to find out more about what is on the horizon for educatio
As professors and programs jockey for position, how does your school determine who gets the real estate, who gets wait-listed, and who gets the Friday 8 a.m. slot? We ask a few schools for some answers.
With activities on most college campuses occurring year-round, there are many instances in which construction must occur while school is in session. Therefore, safety in and around a university construction site takes on a whole new level of importance. T
Colleges and universities now have a new way to help mitigate the amount of methane gas entering the atmosphere and earn carbon offset credits that can be sold on the carbon market, generating revenue. The Climate Action Reserve recently released the Orga