Through the Viewfinder Using Photography to Document Library
Through the Viewfinder: Using Photography to Document Library Space Use Kathleen Webb
Background The University of Dayton �Catholic and Marianist �Approximately 7000 undergraduates ◦ Residential – 96% live in University housing all four years �Developmental approach to living – from traditional residence halls to single family houses
Primary Focus 1. Developing a method for assessing learning spaces – both classrooms and non-classroom spaces 2. Exploring relationship between learning and the characteristics of space
Plan �Photograph how the spaces were being used �Experiment with classroom layout and pedagogy and collect data �Use multiple survey methods to determine student preferences on various topics �Correlate results with NSSE data
Participants �Learning Teaching Center �Faculty Development Committee �Provost’s Office �School of Education Faculty ◦ Molly Schaller and Sawyer Hunley �Libraries
Why the Library �Largest non-classroom learning space on campus (117, 000 square feet) �Opened in 1972 – decisions needed on renovation or new construction �Questions about the need for a library and computer lab ◦ How much use are we really experiencing and what are the students doing when they are there? ◦ What is the mix between individual and group work?
Video Project �Initial project called for analysis of entire building – baseline �Library opened at 7: 45 a. m. and closed at 2: 00 a. m. �Began filming at 9: 15 a. m. and last period began at 12: 15 a. m.
Preparation �Permission – Human Subjects Committee �Notices – throughout the building about the project �Handouts explaining the project
Logistics �Staffing, scheduling and training �Equipment – cameras, batteries, memory cards �Procedures – where to get the camera, security, backing up data
Decisions �What are we looking at? �What is the layout of areas to be filmed? �How do the areas naturally break into zones? �Where and when to start? What is the best routes and timing
Zones – What are you studying �Zones were determined by architecture �Windows, open spaces, enclosed by stacks, in a corner, etc. �Secondary consideration was type of furniture �Signs were placed throughout the building and each zone number was filmed upon entering the zone
Output �Over 90 segments of tape – some lasting about 15 minutes, others closer to 30 -35 minutes �Variety of styles used – from slow and steady with lots of zooming to race walk through the area
Video Sample
Data Analysis Instrument �Time �Floor and Zone # �Gender �Single or Multi Task �Academic or Other focus �With food or beverage �Alone, or with one person or with more than one person �Very large table � 4 -6 person table �Round table �Study carrel �Soft furniture �At computer station
Data Analysis �Converted video tapes to DVD �Analysis done by several people ◦ Group training session �Lesson Learned – check work after someone completes 2 or 3 segments ◦ Used paper check lists that were then entered into SPSS by administrative assistant ◦ Ran crosstabs and other analyses �Not all trends ended up being statistically valid
Other Considerations Monday, November 08, 2004 � Day of the Dead exhibit being taken down in the 1 st floor gallery (zone 1). � Training for other videographers going on during the 9: 00 AM, noon, 1: 00 PM and 4: 00 PM shifts. � People were still learning the zones and a few zone signs were missed. was done with snapshots and not running video � Tuesday, November 09, 2004 � Training during the 4: 00 and 7: 00 shifts � There were a few people observed getting up and moving out of camera range � Wednesday, November 10, 2004 � Training during the 9: 00 and 5: 00 shifts � A class was held in the Reference room between 2: 00 and 3: 00 � Thursday, November 11, 2004 � New exhibit is being installed in the gallery. � 2: 15 shift began to run out of tape. 1 st floor � � Friday, November 12, 2004 � New exhibit still being hung in gallery – gallery closed in afternoon � The tape for 5: 00 PM - 7: 00 PM includes the 7: 00 - 8: 00 PM shift (forgot to switch tape) � Saturday, November 13, 2004 � Gallery closed - photography students hanging exhibit � Sunday, November 14, 2004 � Gallery closed - photography students hanging exhibit �
Follow-up Projects Continuing Requests for Group Spaces ◦ No funds for building projects to create group rooms ◦ Could we change behavior by changing the furniture? ◦ Identified area on 1 st floor where noise would not be an issue �Previous study indicated that most people who studied there studied alone � 2 years later we evaluated that space again
First Photo Project �Much smaller area lent itself to still photographs �Long, narrow space �Broke up the space into zones based on what could be captured by the camera �Marked photography locations with tape �Numbered the tape locations �All the same permissions and preparation needed ◦ Permissions, notices, staffing, equipment, batteries, training, etc.
Samples
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Experiment �After collecting data we removed all existing furniture �Replaced old furniture ◦ Movable tables of all shapes that could be used alone or pushed together ◦ Movable tablet arm chairs ◦ 2 large booths ◦ Coffee and end tables ◦ Lots of movable white boards ◦ Large, plasma TV with laptop cables
Second Photo Project �Redid the still photography study �Establishing zones was more difficult ◦ The furniture moved constantly ◦ Needed to take additional shots to be sure we could see all the furniture �Studied an additional area on the 2 nd floor that had been the current periodical area and now was equipped for group computer projects and included other movable furniture
Samples from Second Photo Survey
Challenges and Observations �Not counting people twice �Identifying trends ◦ ◦ Near outlets Near TV on certain nights Use of white boards to create privacy Use of white boards for studying
Lessons Learned �Plan ahead �Walk through the route and know what you are measuring �Date and time stamp photos �Organize photos/videos when you transfer them from the memory cards �Make time to analyze the data �If possible have one person analyze all the data
Additional Information � More on the results of our photo studies: Kathleen M. Webb, Molly A. Schaller, & Sawyer A. Hunley. "Measuring Library Space Use and Preferences: Charting a Path Toward Increased Engagement. " portal: Libraries and the Academy, Volume 8, Number 4, October 2008, pp. 407 -422. � An article which really helped us in our planning: Virginia E. Young, “Can We Encourage Learning By Shaping Environment? Patterns of Seating Behavior in Undergraduates” (paper, Association of College and Research Libraries Conference, Charlotte, NC, 2003), 6. � The book was by the faculty members who developed the methodology: Collier, J. & Collier, M. (1986). Visual anthropology: Photography as a research method. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico.
Questions? Kathleen Webb webb@udayton. edu
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