Rausing Room Survey March 2007

ELAR summary of the survey results

General

Based on a maximum 75% participation rate, we estimate that there are about 20 users of the Rausing Room (RR). Those that do use it tend to use it relatively often (i.e. they may be relying on it for particular facilities). Most usage is in the afternoon. Nearly everybody found the current opening hours convenient.

In general, the usage of the room and its equipment is consistent with the goals of supporting learning and data preparation. Nearly all users do use some specialist linguistic software, and many use the RR to work in groups.

Most respondents found the RR's environment, equipment, support and advice to be good to quite good.

Nearly all respondents recognised the need for computers to be cleaned up by both users themselves and ELAR, and supported future energy saving measures.

There were some potential issues that were notably absent:

1. there is no evidence that users are not able to access machines to undertake their work
2. there is no demand for any kind of booking system
3. there were no problems noted about the passcode system

The survey also elicited some problems and inconveniences:

1. No local printer. This issue needs further consideration.
2. Difficulty of sharing data. Possible solutions include a portable hard disk, and/or request to IT department to look at a networking solution.
3. Delay in some repairs. This was due in part by the long absence of Tom Castle due to serious illness. A problematic external sound card caused frustrations - this is now being addressed. Problems with logins were addressed by providing a detailed instruction sheet for all categories of user. The log books have been useful in indicating usage levels and reporting faults, however, we now plan to use a single logbook for fault reporting only, and users should also email Tom at tc23@soas.ac.uk to report problems.
4. Problems using facilities. Some problems arose for a small number of part-time users who did not know how to access the RR and its facilities. This suggests that although the induction which was provided to most fulltime students was effective, a written version would be helpful for some users. A small number of problems arose where some users did not know how to perform standard tasks such as making new folders – training could help in these cases.
5. Air conditioning. Although the RR can get hot and stuffy, it does have air conditioning, with the controls accessible to all users; this problem will be addressed by displaying instructions for using the air conditioning.