Photo Library - Further Information on Searching and Tags
At the time of launch the library of images includes over 600 images of new build and refurbished examples of learning spaces from Adult and Community Learner Centres, Further Education Colleges and Higher Education Institutes and Specialist Colleges across the UK. The site will regularly be updated to include further images from examples in the UK and from international institutions.
There are several ways to find what you are looking for and to browse the images. Viewing sets, searching by tags and using the descriptive search are just some of these.
Sets
Thoroughout the Kit links to Flickr direct you to specific groups of images housed in the sets. You can see a full list of the sets and explore further from this link.
All images have descriptions and tags applied to them, and are housed in at least one set. The sets operate rather like a folder holding related documents: they include a predetermined choice of specific images which contain a particular aspect e.g. the 'colour' sets include images where the use of colour is shown. You can view sets in a variety of ways, including the option to view as a slideshow. Clicking on an image during a slideshow will take you to the full description of that image (accessed by hovering over an image with your mouse pointer). You can pause and resume a slideshow and use the back button to choose another activity.
Tags and Descriptions
'Tags' are keywords that can be used to view images that have been given the same tag; it is a way of grouping images together. The number and content of tags assigned to an image is based on our interpretation of how others may use the site. To help you with locating images within the JISC infoNet account, the lists below indicate types of images categorised within the tags. Each of the images has been examined for the physical attrbiutes they illustrate e.g. chairs, lights, signs etc. and also includes information that is more conceptual such as 'floor-to-ceiling windows providing natural lighting which helps with concentration and creativity' and 'wide open corridors allowing peer-to-peer conversations to continue or strike up which helps with developing understanding and embedding knowledge'.
The number of tags assigned to the images has been kept to a minimum to make searching more manageable; however, the site allows searches of all wording that is contained on and around the photograph including the text in the description and the added notes/hot-spots for each image. The tags we've used are Sensory, Technology, Exterior, Interior, Teaching and Learning and Informal Learning Spaces. Each of the images has been assigned at least one of these tags but a combination is more usual. The tables below give you an idea of elements included under each tag - this is not an exhaustive list of the words included but will help you understand the general layout of the gallery.
Searching
Searching through images can be daunting as it's easy to foray into the 'whole world' of Flickr and search all photos rather than just images within a specific account. If you use this link it will force a search just within the JISC infoNet area. You can employ 'boolean' search operators to further refine your search - i.e. using 'AND', 'OR' and 'NOT' phrases to expand or limit your searching. Some examples follow:
Lighting AND colour will give you all images which mention both lighting and colour.
Lighting OR colour will give you all images which mention either lighting or colour.
Lighting NOT colour will give you all images in which lighting is described but exclude those that also mention colour.
- acoustics e.g. soundproofing, baffle boards
- artwork
- colour, use of
- design of access (stairwells)
- external design and physical location, landscaping etc.
- external views
- glass, use of
- internal design
- lighting designs
- personal work space
- reception areas
- signage
- social seating
- soft furnishings
- visible structure
- windows
- accessibility
- automatic lighting
- CCTV monitors
- classroom equipment e.g. Smart boards
- communication tools e.g. VOIP
- electricity points
- electronic signage
- environmentally friendly policies
- laptops
- lecture theatre equipment
- library security barriers
- parking access controls
- plasma screens
- power furniture
- power points in floor
- quick access PC points
- security cameras
- technology labs
- ventilation
- block paving
- car parking
- colour, use of
- cycle racks
- design for purpose
- design of access e.g. stairs, ramps
- external design
- external lighting
- external signage
- landscaping
- listed building status
- physical location
- roofing
- seating
- security e.g. fencing, cameras
- visible structure
- walkways
- cafés
- colour, use of
- communal spaces
- furniture
- glass, use of
- internal design
- internal lighting
- physical location e.g. corridors
- reception areas
- separating spaces
- soft furnishings
- video walls
- classrooms
- lecture theatres
- library
- cafés
- communal areas
- corridors
- entrances
- social seating
