Problem Statement: See previous post.
Solution 1:
Place signs on the table with instructions for plugging in the table. The signs can be placed on the table top (laminated into the top) or can be placed on the side. The signs are more likely to be read if they are on top of the top. The sign could also just say "Please plug in outlets when moving." or something like that. Most people have no idea how to plug the tables in so having some sort of sign on the table would be helpful.
Solution 2:
Place the outlets on the outside of the table. Right now the outlets are hidden inside the center of the table. While it look better to hide the outlets, it makes it a lot harder to know if the outlet is plugged in or not. Having the outlet on the outside make it much more easy to see if the outlet is plugged in or not. Also, it eliminates the need to tilt the tables to plug them back in.
Solution 3:
Hire a student to check the tables. Right now a student is paid to check the markers in the study rooms and classrooms. The student also checks the thermostats in the classrooms. This same student could also be tasked with checking the lobby tables and ensuring they are plugged in.
This is one of those annoying problems that infuriates everyone (Ok, me) - glad you guys are tackling it. I would like to think that everyone who is smart enough to go to school here would be able to figure out how to plug in a cord, but when you're in a hurry, in a skirt, or have back problems and can't bend in that way (me again), it's a bigger problem than it seems.
ReplyDeleteI think your third suggestion is great, and should be implemented yesterday. Since we've already got someone checking up on those other items, this just makes sense. The second idea is also good, and would solve the complaints that I mentioned above.
I'm looking forward to having a working power source solution for the tables downstair for at least my last two weeks at Owen - thanks!!
1) I think students tend to ignore signs and they are not very aesthetically pleasing. I would not recommend this idea.
ReplyDelete3) If the budget exists, then this idea could work and seems relatively simple.
Just an FYI for everyone, we have two groups working on this same issue, and we have decided that one group will do half the tables, and the other group the other half. If I remember correctly, that means that each group will work on 4 of the tables.
ReplyDeleteGiven how well people read and follow instructions (not very), I don't think the first idea will have a major impact.
ReplyDeleteThe second idea is interesting and could work, though it would also change the dynamics of the room because you would have to have the tables located in a sphere around the outlets on the floor. One idea similar to what you proposed that might work is if you were able to cut a door into the base of the table. This would allow people to reach in and plug the table in without lifting it.
As for the last idea, that could work, though given how things get moved around during the day, this may only partially solve the problem.
1. Sounds easy to implement at first sight, but you need for sure permission from somebody at school to do so and also the money for financing the “design” of the instructions and the “print out”. How about the time constraint? I personally don’t know how long it would take to implement this idea, but might be quite a lot.
ReplyDelete2. It is a very good point, but again you need to find out whether this kind of change would be accepted from the school, maybe somebody has designed the tables this way because of “aesthetic” reasons nobody would like to change the way it is.
3. Maybe this is the most feasible idea, but again it all depends on a “3rd authority”. Do you know whether the school also sees that there is a problem with the plugging? Do you think they are willing to pay for fixing it? Or how would you indentify them to do so?
Solution #2 sounds it's the most implementable. It would be relatively quick and easy to do. I think that another part of this would be to put the extension cords in a standard place so the could be easily found but perhaps hidden so it would not interfere with aesthetics.
ReplyDeleteI think idea #2 would be great and would help make the tables much better to deal with. Creating easier access to the outlets seems like a good way to really deal with the crux of the issue here.
ReplyDeleteI also think that idea #3 is strong. It seems that if those other areas of the school are being checked, it would be feasible to have the tables checked, as well.
Solution #3: This seems like the best solution. Give that person a raise and have him/her check the tables. Any chance we can give that person a class on remedial after hours copier repair while we are at it?
ReplyDeleteSolution #2: My initial instinct was to avoid any change to the table itself. However, this is the solution that makes the most sense if the problem persisted after implementing #3.
How often are the tables moved? If the answer to that question is once a day or less, I think your third solution has a lot of potential. Would there be any extra monetary costs associated with implementing this solution (i.e. would the student have to be paid more money)? If so, what would you need to do to get Owen to cover the cost? The other two solutions seem like they have potential, but they may turn out to be more difficult to implement or less effective in practice than what you might think. Think about how you can test the effectiveness of your ideas on a small scale before you fully commit to implementing one concept.
ReplyDeleteOption 3 sounds like an easy potential solution, this student could also update the administration if the outlets are broken, because it seems that even with the tables are plugged in many times they still don’t work
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree that this is a problem! I like the idea of having signage on the table, however, I believe that the problem is that people don't actually know how to plug in the tables. Perhaps your signage can include an easy step by step process on how to do it.
ReplyDeleteI have faced this issue multiple times. Thanks for taking this up.
ReplyDelete#2 seems easy to implement
#1 could get complicated and destroy the aesthetics
#3 what would happen in between the day?
Solution #3 appears to be the least time and resource intensive...and it really doesn't require much change for the outlet user. If someone is already being paid to check the markers and thermostats in the study rooms/classrooms, I think it is reasonable to add this to the list of responsibilities.
ReplyDeleteSolution 1 - If there is great concern about maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the tables, then you might consider posting the plug-in directions in the student locker room. You would still reach the majority of your target audience without changing the appearance of the tables.
1. obvious and simple. i just realized this weekend that there were plugs directly under the table.....i have always seen these phantom extension cords coming from the walls and assumed that is where they were plugged into.
ReplyDelete2. Good point. it typically takes my battery dying for me to realize it was not charging. Anything you can do to reduce likelihood of students getting hurt/breaking things in the process is helpful.
3. Them or the maintenance department. It just feels like no-one has responsibility for it, "not my problem" mentality. Accountability would solve it.
#1 could work - maybe also figure out who is in charge of moving the furniture during events - then do your educational intervention there, too. #2 is almost too logical! It might just work - though you'll probably get some complaints about the aesthetics. #3 would be easier if there were some kind of way to see if it was working "from the outside". How could you verify operation without actually plugging something in. I guess I'm back to the simplicity of #1. That's easy to prototype. See if you can get some action with that approach!
ReplyDelete1) i like the idea of putting signs on the tables to help educate people how it works. lamenating them into the table is even better
ReplyDelete2) this also could work, but structurally, it won't look as good (which I think should be taken into consderation for the things happening in the main lobby at Owen). also, i haven't looked, but would this be expensive to try and change?
3) this is probably the best idea. it would take very little effort to add this to the student's responsibilites, but could really help
I really like the first idea. It seems to be the cheapest and the most straight forward. One problem that may arise though is the fact that the signs may come off easily as people are constantly using the tables and spill food/drinks on them.
ReplyDelete