Managing the room equipment?
We've decided to put up sheets in our classrooms that identify problems with the equipment. This really helps but students still complain about the temperature in the room. Unfortunately we don't have a thermostat and the multicomputers heat up the room terribly. Some days it's perfect and others it's uncomfortable. Are there any suggestions on how to make the classroom equipment more manageable; especially for items that can not be controlled?
Hi Amy,
It is best to be proactive verses reactive. Anything that is manmade will go out. Have a backup plan always.
Patricia
Complaints about room temperature are rampant on my campus. Due to an aging building whose heating/air conditioning is very unreliable we have had to deal with this issue on a daily basis. Listening to students, providing fans and heaters, and convincing administartion to allow students to wear jackets and hats in the cold rooms has helped. Students seem to complain less when thay know the problem is being addressed and that their concerns are taken seriously.
As an instuctor, I always made it a point to be in the room to check out all equipment to be used well in advance of class time. One can't usually control that a bulb burns out on the projector mid class time (so you can't view the Power Point presentation on the screen), but an instructor can be prepared with a back-up plan and have the Power Point presentation printed so you can pick right up in lecture mode and use the white board. This would be an excellent opportunity to have the class break into smaller discussion groups.
Hi John,
It is important to take care of broken equipment as soon as possible. Students need the equipment to learn.
Patricia
In our labs we have automotive engines and tools that the students use to preform there lab work they ar responsable for that engine and the tools if a part on the engine gets broken or if a tool is broken it is repaired or replaced right away so that they will have everything they need to learn.
Hi James,
It is important to manage the room equipment. A system has to be established.
Patricia
When we go to lab i have students perform a vehical check list, they then take responsibly for that vehical.
Hello Kristen,
As long as students know you are trying to resolve an issue, they tend to be a lot more understanding.
Patricia
I would make a joke out of it and bring in a fan! This way the students know that you care enough to try to find a solution even though it is out of your control. Maybe the fan will work, maybe it won't, but the students will be happy that you have addressed their concerns.
