Technology Planning

You will need to consider whether or not you have the necessary expertise within your institution or need to obtain additional support. Assistance with analysis of learning modes, advice on technology infrastructure, and development of the Project Brief are all areas where outside help is available.

Recognise the limited lifespan of much technology - most probably the space will outlive the technology. The centrepiece of the room should be the learning not the technology (which should be supporting and ubiquitous but not domineering).

Purchase of the hardware and software should be left until the last moment to ensure that the latest versions are available.

"Above all make it learning led"

The key theme, as mentioned at the start of this technology section is that the primary consideration should be the learning that you want to take place in the space. It is worth considering doing some learning mode analysis to help develop the scenarios that you would like to see in the space or that you see already in the institution and that work well (some techniques to aid scenario development are covered in the Imagination section). This will also help inform your work on 'Space Data Sheets' which are featured in the Implementation section.

Technology should be there to support learning, should be ubiquitous but not overpowering. It is clear that the technology has a limited lifespan of around three to seven years (this is further explored in Pace Layering in the Imagination section) - the space will outlive the technology and will also have to accommodate the next generation of technology - whatever that might be.

Further discussion covers planning your network, device usage and hardware.