Transforming a media suite into a

Technology Lab

Siobhan RoulstonPrimary Teacher LibrarianGarden International SchoolKuala Lumpur, Malaysiaroulston.s@gardenschool.edu.my

Rationale● We felt that there was a need for a space that

encouraged self-organised learning and where students could be creative and comfortable with technology.

● We decided to redesign and repurpose the current media suite to enable better flexibility and collaboration for our Primary students.

● Whole class teaching doesn’t fit our model of learning.● Media suite was only used 22% of the time from Sept.

to Nov.

Our 2½ year old library

media suite

Current media suite

Current media suite

Current media suite

Continuing to meet our students’ ICT needs● Students in Years 5 and 6 have their own iPads. ● Year 4 will come online in September. ● Each classroom has 6 MacBooks.● We have 4 mobile computer trolleys (13 MacBooks)

for classroom use and 2 sets of 12 iPads which can be booked out.

What kind of space do we want?

Flexible

Collaborative

Creative

Progressive

Inviting

Bright Engaging

Social

What steps have we taken so far?

● Formed a working group ● Requested budget allocation ● Discussed new room design● Decided on devices for 26 users: 8 iMacs, 8 iPads, 10

MacBooks● Considered other equipment: green/blue wall, camera,

microscopes, interactive tabletop?

Our design

To do list:● order ICT equipment● choose a name for new space● soundproof discussion rooms● rewire as necessary● paint green wall● create wall art● order furniture (soft mobile seating;low tables for Beebots and claymation; tables for 8 iMacs; low bench