Your Input
This is a student learning space, and your input is needed. In particular, we are now planning for management of the space, policies and investigating the best way to give students the opportunity to have input in the ongoing management of the space.
Comments are welcome on this and any other issue that you feel is important for us to know about in relation to learning spaces at Swinburne.
Do you need more like this one?
Would you like to get involved in deciding the policies and running the space?
Have we included the features you think are important?
What difference will a space like the hub make to your group or individual project experience?
Project hubs rocks
Cool and nice place to do study and group activities
Posted by Nikunj on May 15, 2009 at 03:40 PM EST #
Overall, the project hub is a good place to carry out project works as the name suggested. However, most of the time, I see some rooms occupied by only 1 person, not sure if they are doing work or not. Maybe we need a booking system for the Focus rooms?
Another thing is there are people tailgating others to gain access to the hub. Making it over-crowded.
Posted by Jacky on May 15, 2009 at 03:40 PM EST #
The Project Hub is excellent, it has made a huge difference to the way we do group work. There are two areas needing improvement.
1) Room bookings - team meetings for large teams are difficult to organise at present as no booking system is in use for the boardrooms
2) Wireless Printing - There is a printer in the hub, but no way as yet to use it. The ability to wirelessly connect to it would provide a significant improvement to efficiency.
Posted by David Baxter on May 15, 2009 at 03:40 PM EST #
Simple cleaning facilities to allow students to clean up after themselves.
May times I have had to clean up after others and put up with the stench of their food.
Banning of food would be unproductive to the creativity and positive appeal of the work space.
It's a fantastic space, it needs to be preserved -hygenically!
Posted by Locky on May 15, 2009 at 03:40 PM EST #
Can we have more detailed photos of the hub, as I am on another campus
Posted by Therese on May 15, 2009 at 03:40 PM EST #
Posted by David Baxter:
"The Project Hub is excellent, it has made a huge difference to the way we do group work. There are two areas needing improvement.
1) Room bookings - team meetings for large teams are difficult to organise at present as no booking system is in use for the boardrooms
2) Wireless Printing - There is a printer in the hub, but no way as yet to use it. The ability to wirelessly connect to it would provide a significant improvement to efficiency."
----
Reply:
1) the two larger boardrooms are bookable through the Library desk for meetings and presentations. The small meeting rooms operate on a first-come, first served basis. However, we are actively seeking student feedback on whether this should remain the case. We do have the option of making all rooms bookable via the library front desk.
2) students should now be able to print directly from the computers setup in the Hub to the printer. Currently it is not possible to print from a wireless computer or laptop to the hub printer, but we will forward your query to ITS to look at the feasibility of making this possible.
Posted by Project Hub on May 22, 2009 at 02:53 PM EST #
Posted by Therese:
"Can we have more detailed photos of the hub, as I am on another campus"
----
Reply:
We have a photo gallery on the Hub's webpage which has a number of photos of the inside of the Hub. You can view the gallery here:
http://www.swinburne.edu.au/hed/professionallearning/hub/pg.html
Posted by Project Hub on May 22, 2009 at 02:58 PM EST #
Posted by Jacky :
"Overall, the project hub is a good place to carry out project works as the name suggested. However, most of the time, I see some rooms occupied by only 1 person, not sure if they are doing work or not. Maybe we need a booking system for the Focus rooms? Another thing is there are people tailgating others to gain access to the hub. Making it over-crowded."
----
Reply:
Regarding the booking of the small meeting rooms, we're organising a Student Committee who will look at a number of issues involving the Hub - including this.
In regards to unauthorised students accessing the Hub, all students need to ensure that they are not followed into the hub by others, and that they do not give access to anyone not already entitled to use the space. If this appears to be a problem with a specific group, students may ask them to leave or call security on 3333.
Posted by Project Hub on May 22, 2009 at 02:58 PM EST #
Posted by Locky:
"Simple cleaning facilities to allow students to clean up after themselves.
May times I have had to clean up after others and put up with the stench of their food.
Banning of food would be unproductive to the creativity and positive appeal of the work space.
It's a fantastic space, it needs to be preserved -hygenically!"
----
Reply:
As you've noted, there are no specific cleaning facilities provided. We have recently added more bins to the area, as we were aware that this may have been a factor. We also have cleaning services contracted for general cleaning on a regular basis, and will continue to monitor how this is working. We are also soon to ask for volunteers for a Student Committee, who will be asked to consider how this kind of problem might be best addressed in this and other campus spaces.
Posted by Project Hub on May 22, 2009 at 03:00 PM EST #
The project hub is becoming more and more like a hotel room. People tend to sleep in the focus room. As well as there are rubbish dump into the room.
Besides that, there are more unauthroised personal entering into the project hub. It seems the purpose for the capstone is to provide student access on doing the project in the project hub.
Also I am confuse on where to give feedback and this blogs site is not a suitable complaint site.
To remain annoymous on messaging.
Posted by Vc on May 28, 2009 at 10:15 AM EST #
Hi,
Project hub is GREAT... love the space. Really good for my final year project.
I have similar comments as the others... That is:
- more bins
- less unauthorised access
I noticed security personal for a bit in the hub today making sure only authorised people are allowed in. I think this worked well, but they weren't in here long enough and it is probably not feasible to have them here the whole time. What about having a portable scanning device (like the on the door but battery powered) that allows the security people to randomly scan peoples cards? It wouldn't be hard or expensive to implement... Definitely cheaper than having security in here the whole time.
Posted by Raj on May 29, 2009 at 10:32 AM EST #
Posted by Raj:
"Hi,
Project hub is GREAT... love the space. Really good for my final year project.
I have similar comments as the others... That is:
- more bins
- less unauthorised access
I noticed security personal for a bit in the hub today making sure only authorised people are allowed in. I think this worked well, but they weren't in here long enough and it is probably not feasible to have them here the whole time. What about having a portable scanning device (like the on the door but battery powered) that allows the security people to randomly scan peoples cards? It wouldn't be hard or expensive to implement... Definitely cheaper than having security in here the whole time."
--
Reply:
Bins have been placed in the Hub but we will look into providing more. Regarding unauthorised access, the Hub is intended to be a student owned space partially maintained by students. For this reason, it is expected that students make an effort to ensure that they are not followed by, and do not allow, unauthorised students into the Hub.
Thank you for your thought regarding scanners. We are exploring means of checking student access rights, but the way in which the access is logged on the system doesn't currently allow us to use hand held scanners.
Posted by Project Hub on May 29, 2009 at 12:18 PM EST #
Posted by Vc:
"The project hub is becoming more and more like a hotel room. People tend to sleep in the focus room. As well as there are rubbish dump into the room.
Besides that, there are more unauthroised personal entering into the project hub. It seems the purpose for the capstone is to provide student access on doing the project in the project hub.
Also I am confuse on where to give feedback and this blogs site is not a suitable complaint site.
To remain annoymous on messaging."
----
Reply:
Students are within their rights to ask others to leave if they are asleep in a room or do not have access rights. Unfortunately, we can't have 24/7 security presence, but we can ask security to do early morning/late night spot checks and also ask the sleepers to leave. Students should be responsible for their own rubbish and place it in the bins provided or, if the bins are full, take it with them out of the Hub. If you see another student leaving rubbish in a room, ask them to take it with them.
As has been previously mentioned, it is the responsibility of each student to ensure that they do not allow unauthorised students follow them into the Hub. If students are accessing the Hub without authorisation, students may ask them to leave or contact security on 3333.
If you would prefer to give feedback directly, emails can be sent to projecthub@swin.edu.au
Posted by Project Hub on May 29, 2009 at 12:21 PM EST #
Hub is a great place to work however it doesn't have any of the multimedia programs us multimedia students use on the computers rendering this space a little useless to us and are back to hoping to snag a computer in one of the AS labs and not be kicked out by a class.
I was handed a flyer for this and I would like to quote one of its dot points on the back:
"Project development including writing and multimedia work"
Let's see that dot point become true.
Posted by Multimeida student on June 25, 2009 at 12:20 PM EST #
Posted by Multimeida student:
"Hub is a great place to work however it doesn't have any of the multimedia programs us multimedia students use on the computers rendering this space a little useless to us and are back to hoping to snag a computer in one of the AS labs and not be kicked out by a class.
I was handed a flyer for this and I would like to quote one of its dot points on the back:
"Project development including writing and multimedia work"
Let's see that dot point become true."
----
Reply:
Unfortunately, not all software is available for installation on all computers due to a limited number of licenses. However, if you could let us know in particular which software you are in need of, we can definitely request that it be installed down in the Hub. You can either reply to the blog or send us an email at projecthub@swin.edu.au.
Posted by Project Hub on July 30, 2009 at 08:46 AM EST #
I would agree with the sheer numbers of unauthorised people accessing the project hub. Cirtainly shows the lack of resources on campus for normal students, parhapse library personell could do spot checks when they go down to refill printers, personally I'm not too keen of asking a group of 5 or 6 students to leave when i have no say so other than a post on a blog to back me up. Are there any phones down there to call security anyway? I don't know about other people but i don't get mobile phone reception in their either.
Also regarding software on the computers, I asked my lecturer about spss on the project hub computers she talked to the ITS people, they said it was on there and i still haven't been able to access it from there 2 weeks later.
If program liscencing is such an issue, perhapse a list of programs and where they can be accessed should be made availible to students.
Posted by Richard on October 19, 2009 at 11:59 AM EST #
Posted by Richard:
"I would agree with the sheer numbers of unauthorised people accessing the project hub. Cirtainly shows the lack of resources on campus for normal students, parhapse library personell could do spot checks when they go down to refill printers, personally I'm not too keen of asking a group of 5 or 6 students to leave when i have no say so other than a post on a blog to back me up. Are there any phones down there to call security anyway? I don't know about other people but i don't get mobile phone reception in their either.
Also regarding software on the computers, I asked my lecturer about spss on the project hub computers she talked to the ITS people, they said it was on there and i still haven't been able to access it from there 2 weeks later.
If program liscencing is such an issue, perhapse a list of programs and where they can be accessed should be made availible to students."
----
Reply:
Regarding unauthorised students accessing the Hub, Security have shown a presence performing spot checks. However, the amount of time and frequency at which they can do this is limited. We are aware that major building works have reduced the number of areas for students to study but we expect this to be alleviated in the coming year. Your suggestion of calling Security when you suspect a large number of unauthorised students to be present in the Hub is recommended. The lack of a telephone in the Hub has been noted and we will investigate having one installed. For the time being, please note that there is a telephone in the Late Lab, outside of the Hub.
Regarding software on the computers in the Hub, although there's isn't a webpage showing which software is available and where, the following page will show you what software we have site licenses for and which you can request to have installed on the Hub computers if not already on there: http://www.its.swinburne.edu.au/it_procurement/site_software.html.
To request software to be installed on the computers in the Hub, contact the ITS Service Desk on 9214 5000. For further information, email IT Procurement
Posted by Project Hub on October 20, 2009 at 11:03 AM EST #
The project hub turned out to be more like a 'Sunday market'. Tooooo many students making noise rather that studying. The magnetic stickers for our ID's turned out to never work on the door. I abandoned the place out of frustration. Huge ventilation problems too! A very interesting airconditioning system as well, the position of thermostats means that the aircons stay on 24/7 working against each other to heat and cool......energy waste!! kinda counteracts Swin's water use policy, that is also flawed (the smart toilets leak, and stink)
Besides that, the place is very pretty....gave me a warm fuzzy feeling!!??
Posted by James on March 01, 2010 at 10:31 AM EST #
Posted by James:
"The project hub turned out to be more like a 'Sunday market'. Tooooo many students making noise rather that studying. The magnetic stickers for our ID's turned out to never work on the door. I abandoned the place out of frustration. Huge ventilation problems too! A very interesting airconditioning system as well, the position of thermostats means that the aircons stay on 24/7 working against each other to heat and cool......energy waste!! kinda counteracts Swin's water use policy, that is also flawed (the smart toilets leak, and stink)
Besides that, the place is very pretty....gave me a warm fuzzy feeling!!??"
----
Reply:
If other students are being noisy, request that they quieten down. It is a student owned space so we would hope that the students using it are able to amiably come to agreements on noise and use. If other students become aggressive to these requests, call Security on 3333.
Project Hub stickers provided to students are for visual identification only. They contain no technology to allow you to enter the Hub as this is already contained in your Student ID card. Once the sticker is applied to your Student ID card, you should show your card to staff at the library's front desk. Then, with your details, they will be able to assign access to your Student ID card allowing you to swipe it at the front door of the Hub. The sticker will also be used in the Hub throughout the semester when staff or security request to see it to determine who should and who should not be in there. As you have mentioned, overcrowding has been a problem and we request that only those who have permission to the Hub access it.
The air-conditioners in the meeting rooms can be operated manually, just as the lights are. The air-conditioners are often set to automatic and left running, just as the lights are. As this is your space, we request that all students look after it by turning off lights and air-conditioners in unused rooms.
Posted by Project Hub on March 01, 2010 at 11:01 AM EST #
can we have spss on the computers please
Posted by jo blo on April 13, 2010 at 05:25 PM EST #
Posted by jo blo:
"can we have spss on the computers please"
----
Reply:
As we have a site-wide license for SPSS, IT have been requested to install the software on all Project Hub computers.
Posted by Project Hub on April 14, 2010 at 02:02 PM EST #
I loved the project hub when I first saw it (March 10). Now I don't even go there because it's too noisy, messy and overcrowded.
The noise isn't usually coming from a small group of people, it's the combined disturbance from the overcrowded environment. When there is a group in a meeting room, half the time they aren't doing any uni-related work in the meeting rooms. There is several times where I find elderly people with little kids in the rooms (which is disturbing).
I'd recommend having a booking system for the meeting rooms similar to the board rooms. This mitigates students from occupying the room all day without needing it. Also students who actually "need" the room will go to the effort of booking it.
There should also be a policy of having a minimum number of people for the meeting/board rooms.
In terms of overcrowding, students who don't have access are still entering. Food scraps are being left everywhere resulting in bad hygiene
Everyone needs to be made accountable.
Posted by ag on September 29, 2010 at 12:12 PM EST #
"I loved the project hub when I first saw it (March 10). Now I don't even go there because it's too noisy, messy and overcrowded.
The noise isn't usually coming from a small group of people, it's the combined disturbance from the overcrowded environment. When there is a group in a meeting room, half the time they aren't doing any uni-related work in the meeting rooms. There is several times where I find elderly people with little kids in the rooms (which is disturbing).
I'd recommend having a booking system for the meeting rooms similar to the board rooms. This mitigates students from occupying the room all day without needing it. Also students who actually "need" the room will go to the effort of booking it. There should also be a policy of having a minimum number of people for the meeting/board rooms.
In terms of overcrowding, students who don't have access are still entering. Food scraps are being left everywhere resulting in bad hygiene
Everyone needs to be made accountable."
----
Reply:
The over-crowding has been an occasional problem and is mostly due to non-final-year students entering the Hub when they do not have access. This is done when they follow students with access in. It isn't possible to have a person at the front door policing the entry unfortuantely, and the swipe access was intended to combat this. We do have security doing spot checks inside the Hub. The most effective way to stop non-final-year students from accessing the Hub is to ensure that you close the door behind you when you enter and exit it.
A booking system will be put in place for the meeting rooms, but how it will be implemented is still being decided as issues such as those you've raised (e.g. how to not have one person book the room for themselves) need to be considered.
Ultimately, as you have stated, everyone who uses the Hub needs to be accountable and we request that students ensure they are not followed into the Hub. If students are accessing the Hub without authorisation, students may ask them to leave or contact security on 3333.
Posted by Project Hub on September 29, 2010 at 12:32 PM EST #
Will there be anymore computers put in the project hub soon? there just isn't enough for everyone, particularly at peak times people hog the computers for their friends or put up fake signs saying the computer isn't working!
Also, will there be a booking system for the rooms anytime soon? its ridiculous that individual students work in the rooms all on their own when groups do actually need the room. some people save the rooms and stay there all day, totally unacceptable. it's so hard to get a room anytime past midday now.
Posted by student on September 29, 2010 at 12:32 PM EST #
"Will there be anymore computers put in the project hub soon? there just isn't
enough for everyone, particularly at peak times people hog the computers for
their friends or put up fake signs saying the computer isn't working!
Also, will there be a booking system for the rooms anytime soon? its ridiculous
that individual students work in the rooms all on their own when groups do
actually need the room. some people save the rooms and stay there all day,
totally unacceptable. it's so hard to get a room anytime past midday now."
----
Reply:
An evaluation of the Hub showed us that more computers were requested and any further developments of the Hub would take this into consideration. However, there are no immediate plans to put more computers in the Hub. The alternative is to use a laptop on the bench top along the wall at the John St end of the Hub (ahead and to your left when you walk into the Hub). A laptop can be loaned from the library or feel free to bring your own in, of course.
The booking system was discussed in the previous post.
Posted by Project Hub on September 29, 2010 at 01:57 PM EST #