220. Open Laboratory

Definition

A laboratory used primarily for individual or group instruction that is informally scheduled, unscheduled, or open.

Description

An open laboratory is designed for or furnished with equipment that serves the needs of a particular discipline or discipline group for individual or group instruction where 1) use of the room is not formally or regularly scheduled, or 2) access is limited to specific groups of students. Included in this category are rooms generally called music practice rooms, language laboratories used for individual instruction, studios for individualized instruction, special laboratories or learning laboratories if discipline restricted, individual laboratories, and computer laboratories involving specialized restrictive software or where access is limited to specific categories of students. For example, a computer laboratory with only engineering or CAD software or a computer-based writing laboratory available only to English Composition students would be classified as an open laboratory because of the restricted usage of the room for a particular discipline or discipline group. Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2006). Postsecondary Education Facilities