New computing lab is already a great success

Undergraduate and MSc students in ECS are celebrating the opening of the School’s new computing lab. Before building work began on the new lab, the students were surveyed to find out their priorities for the new space. It was then designed expressly to reflect their desire for group-working and lap-top use.

The layout of the lab makes best use of the area, with desks arranged where possible in islands of six. Most of the School group activities involve teams of four, five, or six. A break out area will provide six further group spaces, and can also be used for student seminars. The Helpdesk staff, Andrew Landells and Toby Hunt, have an expanded office within the lab, next to the entrance.

Dr Andrew Gravell, Director of Undergraduate Studies, acted as project champion for the new lab. ‘The success of this new facility is about more than just the latest technology,’ he said. ‘An important reason that students work in the Lab is that they know things work pretty well almost all the time – and if something isn’t working, for whatever reason, the staff from our Helpdesk, or their fellow students, will be willing and able to sort the problem out.’

View podcast about our new computing lab.

For further information contact Joyce Lewis, ECS Communications Manager (tel.023 8059 5453; email j.k.lewis@ecs.soton.ac.uk)