Ceiling height should be at least 10' to accommodate a 6' x 6' screen, 4' off the floor. An amphitheater is very much preferred if available. A room with windows is very much preferred also.
One table is needed for each pair of attendees. Each table should measure 24" x 60" (18" is too narrow). Also, 4 extra tables are needed along the side and back walls. Chairs should be cushioned. Swivel chairs are preferable. A name card (4" x 6" minimum) is needed for each attendee.
An electrical power outlet or extension cord is needed at each table. Each table shall be equipped with one or two computers capable of running the software.
An overhead projector is needed. Please test it: Does it focus clearly on all parts of the screen at once? The 3M-Model 213 is an excellent projector (4.6 amps, 360 watts). Also excellent is the Bell & Howell Still Picture Projector, Model 3880, 120v, 60hz, 400w.
There must be a spare lamp, switch activated. The lenses should be clean. Some projectors have dirty lens surfaces inaccessible inside the housing. Easy access to clean all lens surfaces is important. A table to support the projector should be placed at the front of the room. The projector fan should be below the surface of that table. An additional table is needed in the front of the room.
A computer to a projector should be provided for the Instructor so that the software can be demonstrated as necessary.
Lighting should be controllable so that the screen can be in dim light and tables can be adequately lit for reading at the same time. If necessary, unscrew bulbs in the ceiling above the screen to get dim light on the screen.
Two whiteboards of very good surface quality, each 4' x 8' (minimum 4' x 6') are needed (with blue pens and erasers). There should be spotlights directed onto the whiteboards. If there will be more than 24 attendees then four whiteboards are needed. Melamine coated thin (about 1/8") fiberboard (from a lumber yard at about $10) in 4' x 8' sheets works very well as a whiteboard when resting on two easels.
For the Instructor: a high chair with back support, with seat about 33" off the floor (like a "barstool").
Refreshments should include sugar, caffeine (coffee, hot chocolate, and black tea) and some low-sugar, non-caffeine items, such as fruit, crackers, juices, milk (low fat or skim), herb teas and decaffeinated coffee. Water should be provided at the speaker's table and at every other table. No smoking in the classroom.
The schedule should be 8-12 for the mornings, and 1-5 for the afternoons. A later start and an earlier end can be arranged either in advance to suit the local work schedule, or when the class gathers on the first day. However, shorter days mean shorter discussions. Weprefer the schedule above to allow enough time for all questions. The Instructor and Room Manager need to stay in the room until 6 or 7 pm to print computer output.
NOTE: Attendees should be informed of class hours, dates and location.
Please ask attendees to bring a hand calculator, pencils and paper, preferably cross hatched paper. Also, please inform them that phone calls or other messages are to be received only at break time so that the classes will proceed without interruption. Students will be asked to leave all cell phones and pagers at the door.