This paper discusses environmental preference, particularly related to the design of children's museums. It explains that preference for an environment leads to motivation to interact with the environment, which leads to learning. It lays out several design principles: (1) involve children in the process of children's museum design in a way that…

This paper asserts that, despite rhetoric of added value, facilities management suffers a dearth of objectively researched, publicly available information concerning the impact of facilities on businesses at the level of market sectors or individual organizations. The paper aims to correct that situation for United Kingdom higher education…

Asserting that without an adequate acoustical environment, learning activities can be hindered, this paper reviews the literature on classroom acoustics, particularly noise, reverberation, signal-to-noise ratio, task performance, and recommendations for improvement. Through this review, the paper seeks to determine whether portable classrooms…

This paper discusses the technical features necessary for a good World Wide Web (WWW) discussion forum, the fact that it should be seen as part of a more general cooperative space, and psycho-sociological aspects that are essential for success. The first section introduces the paper and lists reasons why newsgroups are generally more successful…

This paper explores the issues associated with poor acoustics within schools. Additionally, it suggests remedies for existing buildings and those under renovation, as well as concerns for new construction. The paper discusses the effects of unwanted noise on students in terms of physiological, motivational, and cognitive influences. Issues are…

Author suggests that the function of a building must come first and outlines the four major areas that should be included among the facilities of any learning resources center. (Author/RK)

In order to understand the dynamic influences of the physical environment on seating behavior, a longitudinal study was made of seating choices in the reading area of a university library. Based on analysis, a predictive model was outlined that extrapolates observed behavior in a space to new environmental settings. (BL)

Students in a community design class worked with fifth- and sixth-grade students in planning and constructing models for a local elementary school playground. (MLF)

Describes a study of journalism students that indicated that they slightly preferred front page designs that were ultramodern, followed in order by designs that were traditional, modified traditional, and contemporary. Reports that prior education in editing classes appeared to affect responses. (TJ)

The authors stress the need to design an individualized living plan for handicapped individuals which would protect the needs of this special population and create a variety of programs to foster alternate living arrangements. (PHR)

Reports on the Smithsonian Institution's four-day international symposium on "Children in Museums." (RMH)

What can be done to transform a lump of wet clay into something more than a lump of glaze-fired clay? It is at this point when forming techniques have been mastered that good design becomes most important. Discusses six criteria involved in the search for good design so that students can discover what good design is and how important it is.…

Presents four articles that provide suggestions for teaching document design: (1) "Teaching the Rhetoric of Document Design" (Michael J. Hassett); (2) "Teaching by Example: Suggestions for Assignment Design" (Marilyn A. Dyrud); (3) "Teaching the Page as a Visual Unit" (Bill Hart-Davidson); and (4) "Designing a…

Describes "black box theaters," an increasingly important part of performance arts facilities on school campuses. Discusses the benefits of this design and five design characteristics (keeping it small, providing circulation, creating a mezzanine gallery, reconsidering black, and remembering storage space) that help to optimize performance quality…

Discusses trends in student preferences regarding on-campus housing, and the financing and delivery methods that campuses are using to provide for these wishes. (EV)