Transforming Informal Learning Spaces

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Transforming Informal Learning Spaces

• Meg Brady
• Director, Educational Technology
• Missouri ST

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Learning Spaces

• Where does learning occur?
• Formal spaces (classrooms)
• Informal spaces (hallways, coffee shops,
  libraries)
• How does space influence learning?
• Physical or virtual, they can
• Bring people together and encourage exploration,
  collaboration, and discussion, or,
• Carry an unspoken message of silence and
  disconnectedness

Oblinger, Diana, Space as a Change Agent,
Learning Spaces, Educause2006, http//www.educause
.edu/LearningSpaces/10569
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The Process for Developing Informal Learning
Spaces
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Evaluating Needs

• General
• Human-Centered Design
• Active Learning
• Social Interactive
• Space Needs
• Holistic view of campus learning real estate
• Often determined by size/shape of existing
  physical area
• Department specific requirements
• IT Expectations
• Economies of scale, support and lifecycle
  management
• Availability of duplex printing
• Adaptability to new technology over time

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Choosing the Site

• Location, location, location
• Impact on student population
• Costs and funding
• Additional requests

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Exploring Solutions

• Intentional Design
• and
• Continuous Improvement
• Use Your Resources
• Design guides
• Environmental Psychology
• Space research findings
• User input on existing spaces
• Consultation with involved parties

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Implementing Changes
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Two Recent Transformations
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Engineering Management 222Before
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Engineering Management 222After
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Computer Science 212/213Before
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Computer Science 212/213After
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Evaluation

• Perspectives Student v. Faculty
• Data Quantitative v. Observational
• Time Changes Everything

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How can this apply at your campus?

• Intentional Design
• Understanding your students
• Partnering across campus
• Creating buy-in with all parties
• Administration
• Faculty
• Students
• Be flexible
• Think ahead

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Changing Perceptions

• I learned in hard chairs in the heat, and they
  can too.
• Students will steal anything not nailed down.
• Students will ruin anything upholstered or
  carpeted with their carelessness.

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For More Information

• Watch for our article in the new online,
  multi-media version of Educause Review, due out
  April 2, 2009 at educause.edu
• Contact us at
• Educational Technology _at_ Missouri ST
• http//edtech.mst.edu
• edtech_at_mst.edu