All components that make up a school from interior classrooms and hallways to exterior playgrounds and entrances are now built with universal access as a fundamental component of the overall design process, making it easier for all children
2008 was quite a roller coaster. From an historic election to a worldwide financial crisis to yet even more technological advances, everyone, including today's students and their parents, has been on a wild ride. How can colleges and universities cop
For many years, planetariums used the concepts intrinsic in 3D visualization and immersive technology to transport participants throughout our solar system. Today, the latest generation of these captivating systems is being used to a greater degree in col
The definition of transportation demand management (TDM) is rather vanilla: in a nutshell, it's a series or group of techniques intended to decrease parking demand. What about that prompted experts at the Center for Transportation Research at the Uni
IP-based access control is fast becoming the technology of choice for schools by enabling their access control system to reside on the existing network.
An eight-year, $260M expansion project that began in 2004 at the San Ramon Valley Unified School District involves renovating many of its 29 existing campuses and building eight new campuses. Besides a major investment in bricks and mortar, the district i
Reasons for choosing homeschooling vary, but the main reasons cited in the brief were: the child has a physical or mental health problem; the child has special needs; parent's belief in a non-traditional approach to education; dissatisfaction with ac
This month we talked to Norma G. Kent, vice president for Communications at the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). Kent discussed the correlation between the recession and community college enrollment and how community colleges can be a pa
When it comes to restrooms and locker rooms, how you divide people makes a big impact on multiple levels. The maintenance crew's efficiency hangs on how you position the partitions between stalls. And users' comfort hinges on everything from the
Undoubtedly, audio visual and presentation system technologies are becoming increasingly embedded components of classroom instruction. Administrators must evaluate its relevance and rigor what's being used, how and why it's being used, ho
No one out there will disagree that 2008 has not been without its challenges, but those of us who have grown up in the industry have met challenges like this before and won and I am confident that we will again. In addition to the economy, there ha
Security experts who understand how K-12 schools work can usually prevent deadly gaps upfront and, as seen in this case, can often help correct misapplication of security technology. Clearly, the assessment process is far smoother and much less expensive
The inauguration of President-elect Obama in January brings not only changes to the executive branch, but also changes in Congress with a larger Democratic majority. While we have a month until that happens, much is still going on with the transition team
How do you get everything you want and need in the design of new facilities when the project budget doesn't match the shopping list? The answer comes from the experts who are in the trenches daily. They've seen technology and space
There was a time when barns and sheds were prevalent on Utah State University's (USU) main campus, and cattle were sheltered and fed in places where classrooms, laboratories, and libraries now stand. Through the years, campus expansion and the changing ne
More than ever, security remains a top priority for campuses, despite budget restrictions. When planning the resources for security, you must think about the four core elements to any security program: personnel, technology, facility design, and crime pre
Specifying carpet in schools continues to be the subject of great debate. Finding a carpet style that meets all of the design, performance, budget, and sustainability objectives for a renovation or new construction project can seem like an overwhelming, i
A compelling issue in education and school planning is how to engage "digital natives" in the learning process, especially when they are being taught by "digital immigrants." Children who are immersed in technology from the moment they
Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205, in Elmhurst, IL, welcomed the public to tour the newly renovated and expanded Hawthorne Elementary School. A special dedication to celebrate the completion of the school's $16M makeover was held in Septemb
Many of today's colleges and universities are thinking about building a new kind of housing one that's very different from the dorms, residence halls, suites, apartments, or anything else they've ever done before. It's retiremen
Built on the site of an 1887 school, the 1920s Lone Pine Elementary School in east Medford, OR, is about to undergo a phased renovation and construction project that will result in an eco-friendly, mostly new school.