The design of the room where most students access the computers is an important
component in the creation of an effective learning environment. We have found
that it is desirable to include study tables, books, and to assign teaching
assistants to be there to answer any course-related questions. Instead of creating
a dark computer room, we selected a location with windows and glare protected
lights so the room is a bright and attractive study area. The room is supervised by
a full time professional who is qualified to deal with both the computer
technology and tutoring of individual students in chemistry. During a typical
week in the fall semester, 3,000 to 5,000 students per week use the
Learning Center for accessing lessons or consulting with teaching assistants.
Students use tables in the learning center to study and consult with teaching assistants.
The chemistry learning center has about 100 computers which are a mixture of 66 MHz 486 and 75 MHz Pentiums.
Students prefer to use the computers which are located in individual work spaces.