visiting Dundee's ILS's part 2

So yesterday I was out again visiting all the places I didn't havetime for on Monday.

The dental school cafe was closed, as was the Top of the tower cafe.

visited:

Main Library
at least 50 people, probably more
11:00
lots of space, quiet, can be comfy or on tables, all kinds of desks
multiple levels for different needs. Clear why it's the main study location choice. plenty plugs, books everywhere, space

Library Cafe
4 people
11:42
feels relaxed, lots of light, high chairs
cafe, no plugs, computers, Vending machines, coffee machine, part of main lib so lots of books

Scrymgeour quiet area(lower ground floor foyer)
2 ppl
12:23
quiet study area, nice vibe, paintings work very well. but right now builders are making the name an ironic one. Again it reflects the course.
has cameras, plugs, law books.

DUSA
6 ppl
13:00
very informal, main student pub so more designed for socialising than study. a few spots with plugs, but definately not a common study area,but then that's not the union's aim.
Pool tables, Arcade machines, restaurant/bar, vending machines, attatched to a shop, sofas, big tv's.
I didn't spend a great deal of time in DUSA, because I kind of knew it wasn't a popular study area. the kind of learning here is all discussions and reflection after an exam. the only way i can think of off hand to use this place is to promote discussion of topics beforehand. Could use to get students to discuss topics in which it helps to be open and relaxed about, because such moods are assosciated with union type venues.

Overall:
In the Scrymgeour building i found again that mainly law students used it. I talked to a number of staff members which I'll get on to in a moment but the feeling i got in the library and library cafe is that they're the place for everyone whose department doesn't have a designated ILS. My old flatmate who'se a psychology student mainly stuies in the library, and has never complained about it. I began to think about the areas being appropriate for different needs. Because DUSA is the student union, it was difficult to concentrate and focus on my Javascript. This also happened in the matthew building foyer and the Dalhousie foyer. however it was far easier in the law library, main library and yesterday in the matthew library. the Fulton was tough to work in because it seemed like a common room more than anything.

As well as visiting the ILS's, I also talked to some staff and Students to find out what areas they knew and used, the condition, and how busy they were

A member of staff from the Fulton said the fulton is usually very busy. Mostly level 3-5, and msc students. Most students are engineers, but there are others. needs updated, many seats burst.

One art student said they usually use the studios they're given but occassionally use the matthew building foyer

Another Art student said she never reallyuses the foyer and mostly studies at home, around town or in her studio.

Today I'm looking at what direction to possibly take this project in, and what the good and bad points of each are. though It's taken me all day to complete this blog so the next will be in a few hours.

I'll also contact some more people for views on the ILS areas.

the main problems i think will be knowing which projects are both appropriate and doable in the 9 weeks i'll have left.