Proposal to Create a More User Friendly and ...



Proposal to Create a More User Friendly and Technologically Advanced Modern Language Lab

Summary

The Modern Language Lab does not have a welcoming area for students to gather. A user-friendly lounge area will accommodate students to bring in their own laptop computers and other technology into a common area. The University of

Foreign language students will be able to work on group projects as well as on individual assignments. A multimedia area will be partitioned away from the main lab section. This multimedia area will allow teachers to use power point, show videos, and perform many other activities. Foreign language clubs will be able to use the area as a meeting place, to hold meetings and other functions. The newly renovated language lab will be very beneficial to professors and students alike.

Current Problems at the Modern Language Lab

The Modern Language Lab accommodates all types of students. The setting of the lab needs to reflect the audience that the lab targets. Graduate students, undergraduate students, student aids, and teachers all come into the lab to work.

The wide-open space of the lab presents problems when

• Students are trying to work together in groups

• Individuals need quiet time to write papers or study

• Classes are being held and need the entire computer area

• Students are being tutored

Frequently, visitors to the lab are turned away when they cannot get their work done in a timely manner. The inconvenience may eventually become a problem if students decide to stop visiting the lab and to do their work at other areas around campus. Additionally, visitors should be able to get around the lab easily in order to ease confusion and save time. Individuals have to often ask questions about simple tasks that should be self-explanatory. When students have to wait for help valuable time is again wasted.

The purpose of this office is to aid students in performing their language oriented work assignments. A positive image needs to be portrayed in order to invite visitors back to the lab time and time again.

Proposed Solution: Renovation of the Lab

The proposed Modern Language Lab will provide easy access to all types of multimedia needs. A partition between the room will allow more feasibility to

• Students who are working in groups

• Individuals who need quiet time for various tasks

• Classes needing the entire computer area

• Students who are being tutored

Solutions to all of the problems in the lab will allow students to get the best use out of the new materials as possible. The renovation of the lab will include the following changes.

A partition will divide the one big room into two smaller areas. The left side of the lab will be sectioned off into a

• Lounge area

• Small computer area

• Classroom and multimedia area.

New furniture and décor will accompany the lab in order to spruce up the left side of the lab. Pale yellow walls will accompany a mix of burgundy furniture. Sophisticated couches and overstuffed chairs will bring in a warm atmosphere to the lounge area. The lounge area will also have small round tables for congregating. Foreign language organizations such as the French, German, and Spanish clubs will set up a coffee machine and small finger food items once or twice weekly. The beverages and finger foods will serve as a fund-raiser for the organizations. The food and beverage area will provide the lounge with a more comfortable atmosphere. Culturally diverse pictures will hang on the walls to show the cultures of foreign countries related to the languages. The lounge area will host several computer electrical cords and telephone hook-ups for Internet access from a laptop computer. The small computer area will include four or five computer systems for a small group to gather or for testing to be conducted. The multimedia area will include many forms of technology equipment. A television, VCR, and DVD will hang in the top corner of the multimedia area which will be able to connect to a projector in order to be seen on the transparency screen. The projector will also connect to a computer for Internet searching or other class displays. The left side of the lab will host bookshelves periodically around the room. These bookshelves will house materials that pertain to the foreign languages. Dictionaries and encyclopedia's will be some of the books among the collection. A video library will also be started and can grow as the years pass. Professors or students will be able to view movies while in the lab.

Budget

The renovations for the lab can be completed with a budget of $80,000. A review committee from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's Step Grant Committee is in the process of determining available funds for the Modern Language Lab project. The following table reflects the estimated cost for construction of the lab:

|Items |Cost (dollars) |

|Computers & Other Technology (TV, VCR, DVD, projector, etc.) |40,000 |

|Book & Video Library |7,000 |

|Coffee Pots, Cappuccino Machines, etc. |2,000 |

|Decorations Including Sofas, Chairs, Tables, Curtains, Paint, |17,000 |

|Pictures | |

|Partitions (Building Materials) |10,000 |

|Other Furniture (Tables, Chairs, Book Shelves etc.) |4,000 |

| | |

|Total Cost |$80,000 |

Conclusion

The staff members of the language lab are excited about being able to plan out the future look of the area. The new lab design brings excitement to students and to faculty. Everyone looks forward to being able to make final comments and decisions on the lab.

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