Play Pokémon GO in the College Commons!

In just a few short weeks, Pokémon GO has become a global phenomenon.  The augmented reality game is available in over 40 countries and has been downloaded by over 100 million users.  With the autumn semester quickly approaching, students (and a few faculty and staff) will have to figure out how to balance their schoolwork and their Pokémon training.

Here in Ramseyer 260, we have the answer for you.

The EHE College Commons, operated by the Educational Technology department, is a study space conveniently located at a Pokéstop. You can use our public computers, lounge on our bean bags chairs, and do your homework – all while catching Pokémon and stocking up on Pokéballs! It’s really a win-win situation.

And the particular Pokéstop at the College Commons is interesting in its own right.  Ramseyer Hall was originally University High School in the 40s, 50s, and 60s, and there are stone inscriptions above many of the doorways that were carved back in those days.  One of the stones, the actual site of the Pokéstop, reads “Prize the Doubt, Low Kinds Exist Without.”

This phrase is from an 1864 Robert Browning poem entitled “Rabbi Ben Ezra,” about a scholar and mathematician from the 12th century.  The inscription tells us that we should be continuously searching for more knowledge, never just content with what we are told, especially as students and members of the educational world.  Having doubt encourages us to continue learning.

Who knew that a phone-based Pokémon game would lead us to this?!  Come stop by the College Commons in Ramseyer 260 to learn more about the history of the building and the services we offer.

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EHE College Commons!

Need a cool place to study between classes? Want to hold an awesome event? Have an assignment that requires video or audio recording? Well the EHE College Commons is the place for you!   Located in Ramseyer 260, the College Commons is open and staffed 46 hours a week to meet all of your needs.

There are many different options for study spaces in the Commons. If you’re looking for a comfy location to lounge while reading a book, the loft area is perfect, complete with big cushions, giant bean bags, and rolling desks. On the main level there are plenty of desks available for individual or group study sessiLX8A0858ons. We also have a large number of desktops, both Macs and PCs, that are open for any student or faculty member to use. These computers are equipped with almost all the software and programs that you need to complete assignments or projects for class. When you’re done working on your homework, if there’s anything you need to print, just log on to osuwireless internet and you can send it right to our color printer!

The EHE College Commons is also a great place to hold an academic event! The tables and chairs can be arranged in a variety of ways to accommodate your specific needs, whetheLX8A0856r it be a group discussion, a poster session, or a speaker presentation. Microphones, laptops, projector screens, and large rolling whiteboards are also available to be used during events. For more computer-based events or meetings, you could reserve our SmartBoards or Collaboration Table. The SmartBoards are great for giving interactive lectures and technology workshops. And the Collaboration Table allows you to share screens with up to four people!

The College Commons is run by the EHE Educational Technology department, so don’t fret if your teacher assigns a project that requires a quality video or audio recording. For a recording project off campus, we have hundreds of cameras, tripods, and audio recorders that are free to checkout for EHE students, faculty, and staff. Or for a more professional video or audio recording, you could reserve one LX8A0848of our state-of-the-art recording spaces in Ramseyer Hall. The One-Button Studio is a user-friendly studio with a green screen, microphones, a video camera, and a Mac to do the mixing and editing. The Whisper Room is a handicapped accessible, completely soundproof room equipped with microphones and Macs to make professional-sounding recordings. And if you have any questions, the EdTech Team would be happy to help you out!

The EHE College Commons has a little something for everyone to make your school year go by smoothly. We can’t wait to see you in Ramseyer 260!