The level of difficulty in trouble shooting a noise problem varies greatly as well. Sometimes the problem is easy to solve in theory, but the solution is arduous to implement in the field. Other times the only item prohibiting a solution to the problem is
Tablets like the iPad are extremely useful to individual members of our society and are really cool devices. However, it seems they fall short of providing both the receiving and generation of content capabilities required in an educational environment.
Ask yourself, if you were constructing that same building today, would you install the systems you installed 50 years ago? Could they run mechanical and electrical systems at the highest efficiency, recapture waste heat and at the same time provide year-r
If you've never thought about the idea of green or sustainable or eco-friendly IT, you may be surprised to learn that green computing has a huge and growing following among IT directors generally and a number of K-12 school district IT directors.
The design and construction industry had a difficult year in 2009, to say the least. However, green building has been a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster year, and there is no sign of that changing in 2010. Eco-friendly school design is on the radar
The annual energy bill to operate America's primary and secondary schools totals nearly $8 billion more than is spent on textbooks and computers combined. With rising operating costs and tighter budgets, a growing number of school districts ar
A design strategy was developed to maintain an exceptionally compact building footprint, maximize shared public spaces, utilize renewable and recyclable building materials and incorporate teaching tools within the architecture. The new campus supports the
Green cleaning for hard surfaces has progressed on a continuum from reducing toxic chemistries to eliminating them wherever possible. Now technology and cleaning science have helped us to return to the most essential of cleaners and solvents water
Master planning begins with creating appropriate standards for world-class facilities. A comprehensive condition and educational suitability assessment will bring focus to district facilities that fail to meet these standards. The condition of a single fa
As the use of technology grows, we have enjoyed increased capabilities, global networks and faster results within personal, professional and educational realms. Unfortunately, this shift to a technologically based global culture has introduced one of the
We all know young children learn through play and discovery. The coordination of intellectual and physical development, with guided play and fun activities, is vital to their development and must be one of the focal areas of elementary schools. Good movem
During the last 10 years, the modern high-performance schools movement has invited design elements focusing on energy conservation and occupant comfort. Multi-level lighting systems have allowed teachers to switch lights on only when needed, day lighting
In security, risk minimization is everything. You can never completely eliminate the possibility of a school shooting or other types of breakdowns in security, but you can make the system as secure as possible by using your resources efficiently and using
What can be learned from a school building that earned the first sustainability award of its kind from the U.S. Green Building Council? School administrators are increasingly aware that sustainable buildings can reduce an institution's water and ener
Recently I was asked how many fires really occur in kindergarten through high school occupancies. The context of the question was in relation to how much time should be spent on fire and life safety issues in schools given all the other responsibilities o
When it comes to designing and building a green school, relationships are critical to delivering a 21st century facility, which is valued by the entire community. River Crest Elementary in Hudson, Wis., is a prime example of the power of solid collaborati
While green movement is gaining steam in the education sector, even simple changes can make a difference.
Distance learning, while still in its infancy, has been receiving a lot of press at both the university and adult education level. In some instances, distance education programs can reduce the overall cost of traditional education over a five-year period
Effective resolution of major crisis events is greatly facilitated if all of a school or school district's personnel know what to do in an emergency. One of the best ways for all personnel to know what to do in a crisis is to have an emergency operat