Technology Use and Collaboration in Group Study Rooms: A Study of Students in D.H. Hill Library, North Carolina State University. At “Assessing the Present and Preparing for the Future: A Symposium of Current LIS Research.” UNC Chapel Hill, May 2012.

2.  They are accustomed to integration of
modern technology into their everyday
lives.
› Technology is an expected service.
 Multitasking is habitual.
› Students use multiple technologies at once.
 Students prefer to work together in
groups rather than alone, even if they
are not working on the same projects.

3.  13 group study rooms
 Weekdays 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.
 Surveys and Observations
› 50 groups observed, total of 123 students
› 29 surveys, 111 students
› 234 total students

4. Table
Window
Writable Walls
Chairs
Tray for dry erase
markers
Window
Projection Screens
Connectors to
projection screens
Exit

5. 78.0%
14.6%
7.3%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Academic Social Unsure

6.  More often than not they were not used.
 Complaints:
› Not enough markers in room.
› Didn’t like colored walls. Liked the color in
the room, but not as writable surfaces.
 However, 31% indicated that the dry-
erase walls were one of the things they
liked best about the rooms or why they
chose to study there

7.  70% of the time not in use.
 Only 2% of observed students were using
the screens to full capacity, with different
content on each screen
 Complaints:
› Mac adaptors not available in rooms.
› Many unable to get the screens to work.
 Also cited as a reason for using the room
or one of the most desirable features.

8. 11
1%
6
6% 5
6%
4
15%
3
23%
2
36%
1
13%
Collaborative
55%
Non-
Collaborative
35%
Unsure
10%
Group Size Was the activity collaborative?

9. 55%
38% 38%
34% 34%
31% 28%
21%
10% 10%
3%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%

10. Wall color
21%
Room
Configuration
/Furniture
17%
Markers
10%
Size
10%
Cleanliness
7%
Lighting
7%
Temperature
7%
Windows
7%
Technology
problem
7%
Sound
4%
Availability
3%

11.  Social aspect
 Control
 Variety
 Large spaces
 Simplicity
 Instant gratification

12.  Replace colored writable walls with white
walls, and paint a non-writable surface a
different color.
 Install clearer directions for using projection
screens and speakers.
 Hang more permanent signs directing
students to Learning Commons Service
Desks for assistance or materials.
 Install Mac adaptors?
 Better website content

13.  Large tables.
 Comfortable, flexible furniture.
 White writable walls, color on other walls.
 Equipment that is both PC and Mac
compatible.
 Permanent signs directing students to
help.
 Lights that can be dimmed or adjusted.
 Temperature control.