11152009 Slide 1

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Designing Spaces for Effective Learning

• Ros Smith, JISC

Joint Information Systems Committee
Supporting education and research
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A guide to designing spaces for effective learning

• Launched at JISC Conference March 2006
• Focuses on the role and impact of technology on
  physical learning space design in FE and HE
• Builds on the JISC eSpaces Study, University of
  Birmingham (2005) www.ldu.bham.ac.uk/espaces
• Copies distributed UK-wide to Vice Chancellors,
  Directors of Estates, of Library and Information
  Services Media Services, and Heads of
  e-learning and of Academic Practice
• Also available from info_at_jisc.ac.uk

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Designing Spaces for Effective Learning

• Takes readers on a walkthrough featuring
  different types of space
• Examines the role for technology in each space
• Brings issues relating to estates management,
  space utilisation, pedagogy and technology into
  one forum
• Identifies some core principles for effective
  practice
• Provides case studies of refurbished and
  new-build projects demonstrating vision and
  innovation in embedding technology into learning
  spaces

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Designing Spaces for Effective Learning

• Identifies what is innovative and emergent, and..
• Provides architects floor plans for three types
  of space based on current thinking general
  teaching, vocational and learning centres
• Explores the relationship between redesigned,
  technology-rich spaces and learning potential

• Concludes with a checklist of key
  points for senior managers
• Spaces are themselves agents for change. Changed
  spaces will change practice.

Image AMA Alexi Marmot Associates
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Key messages from Designing Spaces for Effective
Learning

• Understanding what makes an effective design
  is important. The best are likely to assist all
  within the institution to work more productively
  and to produce learners who are confident,
  adaptable, and inspired to learn.
• Designing Spaces for Effective Learning,
  JISC 2006

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Key messages from Designing Spaces for Effective
Learning

• Embedding technology into learning and
  teaching spaces is likely to be an evolutionary
  process rather than a revolutionary one.
• Start by establishing your pedagogic aims,
  then review the design and the technological
  infrastructure in the whole institution.
• To resolve what is the best way forward,
  effective dialogues are needed to establish what
  will be required from the spaces, what changes in
  pedagogic approach are desirable and why.
  Designing Spaces for Effective Learning, JISC
  2006

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Key messages from Designing Spaces for Effective
Learning

• Learning needs to be
• Pervasive
• Flexible
• Active
• Social
• Inclusive

And continuous
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Key messages from Designing Spaces for Effective
Learning

• There can be no one blueprint for the design of
  learning and teaching spaces
• The concept of the learning centre is still
  evolving , blending with other previously
  distinct spaces to absorb more of their
  functions.
• Designing Spaces for Effective Learning, JISC
  2006

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Key messages from Designing Spaces for Effective
Learning

• Case studies show
• Increasing support for social, collaborative and
  blended models of learning
• More availability of audio-visual technologies
• Increasing hybridisation of spaces
• Flexibility in design, fittings and furniture to
  ensure sustainability

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Key messages from Designing Spaces for Effective
Learning

• In the future, we can expect to see
• Spaces designed to provide simultaneous support
  for f2f and virtual learning
• Spaces developed to support innovative,
  experiential learning in f2f contexts
• A higher profile given to social areas supporting
  problem-solving and collaborative learning based
  around mobile and wireless and audio visual
  technologies
• Greater emphasis on developing learners wider
  skills, especially creativity and adaptability

Image University of Northumbria
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Key principles for designing effective learning
centres

• We now expect that learning will involve many
  different activities, each having different
  behaviours associated with it
• These varied purposes demand a clear vision for
  each area provided for autonomous learning
• The ultimate in flexibility large open plan
  centres in which both learning and teaching take
  place still presents challenges in management
  of sound, heat and student activity
• One solution the University of Warwicks
  Learning Grid, a highly adaptable and highly
  resourced space for collaborative group learning
  with peer support

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An example of a high-tech learning centre
Plan AMA Alexi Marmot Associates, Designing
Spaces for Effective Learning, JISC,2006
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Key principles for designing effective learning
centres

• New priorities
• Supportive customer-focused approach
• Collaborative technology-enabled learning
• Wireless-enabled
• Self-regulating environment
• Flexible furniture
• Re-think of space allocation

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Key principles for designing effective learning
centres

• An educational building is an expensive long-term
  resource. The design of its individual spaces
  needs to be

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Key principles for designing effective learning
centres

• Flexible to accommodate both current and
  evolving pedagogies
• Future-proofed to enable space to be
  re-allocated and reconfigured
• Bold and creative to look beyond tried and
  tested technologies and pedagogies and to
  energise and inspire learners and tutors
• Supportive to develop the potential of all
  learners
• Enterprising to make each space capable of
  supporting different purposes

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Final words

• The design of our learning spaces should
  become a physical representation of the
  institutions vision and strategy for learning
  responsive, inclusive, and supportive of
  attainment by all.
• Designing Spaces for Effective Learning,
  JISC, 2006

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Designing Spaces for Effective Learning

• Give your comments on Designing Spaces for
  Effective Learning. A feedback form can be
  downloaded from www.jisc.ac.uk/eli_learningspaces.
  html
• To order copies, email info_at_jisc.ac.uk

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Further information

• Email
• s.knight_at_jisc.ac.uk and ros.smith_at_gpisolutions.co
  .uk
• Web
• e-Learning and Innovation - www.jisc.ac.uk/elearni
  ng_innovation.html
• Designing Spaces for Effective Learning -
  www.jisc.ac.uk/eli_learningspaces.html
• Designing Spaces for Effective Learning
  www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/infokits/learning-space-desi
  gn
• Mailing List
• Pedagogy and Innovation mailing list -
  eped-info_at_jiscmail.ac.uk