Elliptical lab offers innovative learning environment
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/ellipticallab.jpg” caption=”Built on a 12 degree slant, the lab is structurally unique. The room is designed to give instructors an unobstructed line of sight between the teaching area and students’ computer screens, which face toward the middle of the classroom. It also includes monitors that broadcast from the instructor’s computer, allowing students to follow along with real-time demonstrations. “]
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The new Engineering Technology Building has a number of innovative features. Perhaps
none is more interesting, however, than the large, tubular concrete structure jutting out
from its side: the elliptical computer lab.
Built on a 12 degree slant, the lab is structurally unique. The room is designed to give
instructors an unobstructed line of sight between the teaching area and students' computer
screens, which face toward the middle of the classroom. It also includes monitors that
broadcast from the instructor's computer, allowing students to follow along with real-time
demonstrations.
"It really is a fantastic teaching environment," said Spencer Smith, director, Engineering I.
"The inward-facing monitors allow students to benefit from the teaching and instructing
portion of the class, making it feel more like an actual classroom environment instead of a
computer lab."
The elliptical lab is also unique in that it's thought to be the first to operate three-
dimensional modeling software in a virtualized environment. Instead of an ordinary lab
setup, this one places all of its software on a central server which can be accessed from
anywhere in the world.
"It means, for instance, students with disabilities don't have to come into the lab to access
specialized software, and inclement weather will also no longer be a barrier for students,"
explained Michael Curwin, manager of information technology and services.
Specific sets of software can also be enabled for certain classes, meaning the transition
from software to software for different classes is much smoother. The risk of viruses,
system crashes and data loss has also been nearly eliminated.
The benefits of such a configuration, however, extend beyond improving the way students
compute. Compared to a traditional lab, the elliptical lab consumes 88 per cent less
energy when not in use and 91 per cent less when it is.
"It's remarkable how much energy we're saving with this lab. The benefits have exceeded
our expectations," said Curwin. "By having a central server instead of individual CPUs for
each of the 56 computers, they run cooler, consume less energy, have no moving parts and
last twice as long compared to traditional computers."
This will be the first full academic year of use for the lab, which will see all first-year
engineering students pass through its doors.
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