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Student-Centered Learning

Active Learning Classrooms at the University of Minnesota create an interactive learning experience for students in a variety of courses. Varying in size from 27 to 126 seats and outfitted with large round tables, each of which seats nine students, ALCs a

Upgrades Put Technology in the Hands of Students

When it comes to technology in school districts across the country, not all things are equal. This lack of equality is frustrating to administrators and teachers who embrace the use of technology in the classroom — all they can do is wait for upgrade

Safe Learning and Play

Students are exposed to unsafe situations because of existing hazardous conditions and lack of maintained equipment and facilities. Despite school-conducted safety inspections, many outdoor environments contain playground equipment and open space that is

Teacher Residency Programs May Have Benefits for Higher Ed and K-12

The University of Denver's teacher residency program in conjunction with Denver Public Schools is part of a national trend of preparing teachers through observing, practicing, and learning about education every day. Graduate students in the Denver Te

Take A Better Look

College and university security directors are taking up four relatively new video technologies to enhance security: Internet Protocol (IP) cameras, intelligent video technology, megapixel cameras, and integrated door alarm and card access control systems

Review Course on Video Surveillance

The use of video surveillance cameras in K-12 school has made great strides since the Columbine massacre. Today's systems use computer networks to install more cameras and to monitor them from anywhere. They use megapixel cameras to record more detai

The Things I've Learned 2010

As each year closes out, I take some time to reflect on the events of the year and work to find areas where I picked up on something new, learned a new or different way of doing something, or just plain "got schooled," and will apply those lesso

Mobile Technology for the Classroom

There's a new K-12 education tool in town. This tool fits in the palm of students' hands, so it's highly mobile. It easily slips into students' blue jeans pockets, so it isn't obvious pickings for would-be thieves. The classroom u

Looking Forward

If you could look into a crystal ball to see what may come to pass in regard to education, this year's vision, more than any in the recent history, would probably be the most clouded, considering the change in government, the slow recovery of the eco

Outlook for Education in 2011

In 2011, we are likely to see a loss of non-essential services and aggressive streamlining of others; a greater emphasis on group purchasing and outsourcing; school closures and consolidation; increases in tuition and fees; a reduction in the number of cr

Shining Through

Most designers engaged in daylighting design understand how daylighting saves energy and influences architecture, but many secondary issues related to daylighting are less understood — factors that can have a significant impact on performance of both

Master Planning in Developing Countries

U.S. colleges are working with countries that want access to the unique qualities of higher education for their citizens. Accordingly, this global drive toward more competitive and comprehensive higher education systems is attracting significant attention

Pesticides and IPM

Pest control is no longer a simple matter to be left to the maintenance staff, but rather everyone, including the facility manager, key administrators, teachers and others have a role to play It may be helpful for a school to have an ongoing health and sa

What's Next?

A mere decade ago, I did not comprehend the massive changes in many other parts of the world. I certainly did not envision the massive changes in our nation and its institutions of higher learning these changes in other lands would bring. Like many folks,

The Next Step

The world of higher education keeps changing and College Planning & Management is there to take note. What will 2011 bring to the campus? Our panel of experts looks into their crystal ball for answers.

Analytics as a Planning Tool

Many districts have begun to consider changing school boundaries to increase efficiencies and provide a richer educational experience for all students. However, determining new boundaries and consolidating existing facilities are challenging tasks with si

Totally Tubular Lighting

TDDs, like skylights, provide top light to balance light from exterior wall windows, reduce glare and help provide a natural lighting boost that minimizes the use of electric lights. One manufacturer, Carlisle, calls TDDs "an ideal energy-saving solu

Sleeping With the Enemy

Changing the behavior of students to avoid infestation by bedbugs may be a losing battle. The best course of action seems to be identifying a small infestation early and eradicating it before it becomes extreme. So, many college and university administrat

It's on the Move

Mobile technology is on the move as students, faculty, and staff come to campus with their iPads, iPhones, Droid Xs, BlackBerry Torches, and more. This means greater opportunities for education, communication, and good will. It also means additional chall

Changes to School Lunches With New Act and Nutritional Standards

Signed into law in December, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 offers a number of provisions addressing school nutrition and school lunch program operations. In general, the provisions will provide money, support systems, greater accountability an

Green Resolutions

We would like to challenge schools to take on a new resolution this year and, more importantly, see it through. So here it is: As good stewards of education at [INSERT YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT HERE], we resolve to help our district take better take care of ou