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
Optimizing computer lab hours can lead to significant savings and an improved student experience. Instead of setting lab hours and forgetting them, use tools like LabStats to track usage and spot trends.
For example, determine if the library lab needs to stay open late before finals, if smaller labs can close early on Fridays, or how many assistants might be needed in a lab with specialty devices like 3D printers.
What Students Look for in a Computer Lab
When it comes to choosing a lab, students are discerning. Here are the main factors they consider:
- Lab Size: Students want to know if a computer will be available when they arrive. Overcrowded labs are frustrating and arriving at a computer lab just to discover that it’s closed is discouraging.
- Noise Level: A noisy environment can be a major distraction. Students prefer labs where they can focus on their work without constant interruptions.
- Installed Apps: The software available in the lab is crucial. Students need access to specific programs for their coursework and projects, so a well-equipped lab is a significant draw.
- Location: Proximity matters. Students are less likely to use a lab far from their usual routes or inconveniently located.
- Space for Group Work: Computer labs are no longer used in a one-to-one ratio. It’s typical to find a group of students huddled around a single computer to work on a group project.
Use Case: Emerson College
At Emerson College, COVID-19 significantly changed how the institution viewed and utilized their computer labs. It also accelerated the shift toward remote and virtual software.
However, even before the pandemic, there were questions about the value of computer labs. Students increasingly brought their own devices, and software became more accessible outside dedicated spaces. Traditional computer labs were often underutilized, with specialized hardware and software sometimes only benefiting a small number of users.
Usage data from LabStats revealed that the number of users decreased by 50%, post-COVID. However, overall usage time only dropped by 28%, indicating more intensive use by fewer students.
“In Fall 2019, the labs I was analyzing were accommodating about 4,000 unique users. Now that we’re several years out from that, we’ve stabilized around 2,000. So the number of people logging into labs has actually halved, and yet the amount of time the computers themselves are being used, has only fallen by about 28%.”
Francis Frain, CISSP Assistant Vice President Information Security and IT Infrastructure, Emerson College
Related Video: Meeting Students Where They Are Webinar
This has led to reevaluating lab spaces, closing underused labs, and repurposing them into more effective environments like collaborative spaces or offices. The shift also underscores the need for data-driven decisions in managing resources, and highlights the growing importance of flexible solutions like loaner laptop programs to meet diverse student needs.
Using Data to Optimize Lab Hours
Use a combination of the following three LabStats reports to get detailed information about lab usage. This is especially helpful for schools with tight budgets and savings goals.
- Start with an overview of lab traffic over a whole semester to see when students use your lab the most and least, with the Peak Usage History Report.
- Then drill down to see the average activity level for each day of the week with the Average Usage History by Week Report.
- Finally, see the average time of day that your lab gets the most use with the Average Usage History by Day Report.
IT teams can also utilize the LabStats API and Power BI Dashboard templates to dive deeper into computer lab usage.
This data-driven approach ensures lab resources are utilized efficiently, benefiting the institution and its students.
