FAQ
What is the Noel Studio for Academic Creativity?
What do you mean by “integrated” space?
What kinds of projects can I bring to the Noel Studio?
When can I visit the Noel Studio?
Are appointments available for the Noel Studio?
What happens at the Noel Studio?
What spaces are available in the Noel Studio?
What technology is available in the Noel Studio?
What if I wait until the last minute to visit the Noel Studio?
How often can I visit the Noel Studio in one day?
Do you provide technology support?
Do you consult graduate projects and research?
What is the Noel Studio for Academic Creativity?
The Noel Studio is an innovative vision integrating writing, oral communication, and research support in one central space at the heart of EKU’s Crabbe Library. In 2010, we absorbed the current Writing Center. However, you can still bring all of your communication products in any subject to us for objective feedback at any stage in the communication-development process.
What do you mean by "integrated" space?
The Noel Studio is designed as an integrated space, bringing together writing, communication, and research areas of the university that often complement one another. Each semester, the Noel Studio will collaborate with faculty members and departments, integrating concepts to all areas of the university community.
What kinds of projects can I bring into the Noel Studio?
You will be able to bring a variety of communication projects to the Noel Studio, including traditional print-based essays, oral presentations, digital productions, notes, and outlines for any subject. Remember that we can collaborate with you even if you are in an English or communication class. You can even visit the Noel Studio without anything substantial on paper. You can discuss ideas and questions about your work with our consultants or just use the invention or practice spaces to develop your ideas.
Trained graduate and undergraduate consultants from across the disciplines staff the Noel Studio. All staff members participate in a rigorous training program to ensure that they are prepared to offer the best feedback possible on a variety of communication products.
When can I visit the Noel Studio?
You can visit the Noel Studio at any point in the communication-development process, even if you don’t have anything down on paper yet.
Are appointments available for the Noel Studio?
You can schedule an appointment in advance by calling or visiting our front desk, or by signing into Book Consultations & Rooms on our main page. You will be asked to login using your eKey--the userame and password you use to log in to campus computers and Blackboard. We also offer walk-ins on a space-available basis. You do not need to have an appointment to visit the Noel Studio as a walk-in. As a walk-in, a consultant will work with you on a space-available basis usually for 25-30 minutes.
What happens at the Noel Studio?
Students come to the Noel Studio for individualized 60-minute (for an appointment) meetings with a trained consultant (small group appointments are also possible). These visits can take place at any stage in the communication-development process, from invention to finished product. Talking about communication, including critical and creative thinking, and working with projects in progress are viable uses of the Noel Studio, though we also encourage the Noel Studio as a place where you can come to work on a variety of in-class or personal communication projects and explore a variety of high- and low-tech resources that foster critical and creative thinking.
You can make an appointment or drop in any time we’re open. Of course, you should bring a description of the project, along with notes, outlines, drafts, or visual aids.
We also host workshops, seminars, guest speakers, and collaborative sessions intended to develop informed critical and creative thinkers who communicate effectively.
The consultant application process is competitive. The Noel Studio will employ graduate and undergraduate students at EKU from across the disciplines. Applicants must be enrolled full-time, have at least a 3.0 G.P.A., and be at least juniors or seniors by the time they begin working in the Noel Studio.
What spaces are available in the Noel Studio?
The Noel Studio offers a variety of spaces that will allow you to develop your communication skills through critical and creative thinking. Included in the Noel Studio are invention spaces where ideas are born, presentation practices rooms and a presentation suite for delivering and refining oral communication, breakout spaces for spontaneous collaborative group work or creative work with manipulatives, conference space for networking with colleagues on campus and remotely along with practicing and capturing group dynamics, and the discovery classroom for orientations, guest speakers, conferences, and instruction sessions.
What technology is available in the Noel Studio?
The Noel Studio is a technologically sophisticated environment. It houses the latest technologies for developing and refining a variety of texts and communication pieces. This list includes a CopyCam system, articulating monitors, touch-screen technology, video equipment, Macs, and PCs.
The Noel Studio also has a variety of low-tech resources for collaboration and invention, including mobile dry erase boards, thought-provoking games, and inspiring manipulatives.
What if I wait until the last minute to visit the Noel Studio?
We highly suggest starting your project early. It is difficult to integrate global suggestions into your work when you wait until the night before or even hours before your project is due to visit the Noel Studio. If you are unable to schedule an appointment, we offer walk-ins with the first-available consultant. Walk-ins will typically receive a 25-minute consultation with the first available consultant.
How often can I visit the Noel Studio in one day?
The Noel Studio supports the entire student population at EKU. Students are welcome to schedule one appointment per day in the Noel Studio (up to one hour per consultation) or walk-ins as space is available. The Noel Studio reserves the right to cancel appointments lasting longer than one hour.
Do you provide technology support?
The Noel Studio employs a technology support staff person in addition to a technology consultant for help with troubleshooting and other issues. Although our goal is to provide members of the university community with access to technology, consultants are not technology experts. For questions regarding technology, you can visit the Tech Commons located in Powell.
Do you consult graduate projects and research?
Yes, graduate students are welcome to bring their projects and research to the Noel Studio for feedback at any stage in the communication-design process. We suggest that graduate students book appointments with graduate consultants. Research consultants are also available. During an hour-long consultation, consultants can typically respond to about 14 pages of graduate-level writing, although all consultations are unique. It is helpful when students visit with a clear idea of what they'd like to accomplish during the session. Typical questions for graduate students vary, but many consultations will focus on developing creative topic ideas, exploring options for communicating complex research and data, discussing options for synthesizing information and previous research, and organizing ideas coherently and convincingly.
