New Physical Learning Spaces in UK Higher Education

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New Physical Learning Spaces in UK Higher
Education

• Ian Pearshouse
• CETADL
• The University of Birmingham

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The Needs

• Changing patterns of learning
• From home, from halls, from anywhere
• Distance and Semi-Distance Education
• Widening participation
• Professional and continuing education
• Student expectations
• Space utilisation
• Cost
• Institutions that are stuck with existing build
  and space

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The Problems

• Appears to have been little co-ordination
• Refits and rebuilds over recent years that now
  need to be looked at again
• Students and Staff with no ownership of the
  learning spaces (Eagles 2001)

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Opportunities

• New Technologies
• IP videoconferencing
• Wireless devices
• Laptops, projectors, videoconferencing
• Allowing cross-institutional sharing of TL
• VLE, MLE, XML, Webservices
• Better understanding of how space can be used to
  support TL

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Informal Learning Spaces

• Multipurpose forums
• Meeting and social spaces
• CyberCafes and bars
• Areas for quiet conversation and study
• Computer space
• TV and Video
• Wireless
• Syndicate or breakout zones

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Enhanced Teaching and Lecture Rooms

• Mixed mode rooms
• Classroom Communication Systems
• Classtalk - wired, graphics calculators
• Personal Response System IR handset
• Socratic Dialogue / Peer Instruction
• Question, group discussion, feedback, class
  discussion.
• Group based, Discussion based, Own paced
• Amphitheatres
• Traditional and Harvard style

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Case Examples
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Interactive Classrooms/Studios
University of Strathclyde
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Wolfson Medical School Building

• University of Glasgow

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Clinical Skills Area

• Problem based learning
• Simulated Ward areas
• Can be broken down into smaller examination rooms
• Vocational Skills Area
• Audio-visual links allow small groups of
  students and experienced tutors to watch and
  comment remotely on each other's interview
  techniques via a video camera link from classroom
  to consultation room. Actors participate in role
  playing scenarios with the students who can then
  keep video copies of their resulting performances
  for future reference.

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Pictures reproduced by kind permission of The
University of Glasgow
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Mason Lounge

• The University of Birmingham

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Mason Lounge
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The Centre for Educational Technology And
Distance LearningCETADL

• The University of Birmingham

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CETADL

• Research and Innovation in TL
• Club of members
• Sits outside of established University structures
• Two linked areas
• MDR - Multimedia Development Room
• Also provides breakout space, relaxation area
• FLR - Flexible Learning Room
• Wireless Network
• Students able to register own devices

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Flexible Learning Room

• Designed to be
• A highly re-configurable, easy to use space
• to explore different approaches to TL
• Multi-purpose
• Small Group teaching
• Conversational Learning
• Video Conference distance based learning
• Webcast Studio
• Computer based outside of the Computer Lab
• Usability Lab

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More information

• http//www.cetadl.bham.ac.uk
• m.sharples_at_bham.ac.uk
• i.k.pearshouse_at_bham.ac.uk
• cetadl_at_bham.ac.uk

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Looking to the Future
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HEFCE Initiatives

• CETL
• Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
• 70 CETLs - 2M capital, 500K pa over 5yrs
• Will lead to new learning spaces being developed

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JISC Initiatives

• JCLT-ITTSLG, the Innovative Technologies to
  Support the Learner Group
• Information gathering exercise which included
  visits to several learning technology research
  labs and commercial organisations
• http//www.jisc.ac.uk/elearning_innovations.html
• Mobile Computing and Wireless Networks to look
  at the current and next five years usage and
  developments and their potential impact on
  learning and teaching. The invitation to Tender
  is being drafted.
• Link between innovative technologies and physical
  learning space design to understand how the use
  of technologies are and will impact on physical
  learning space design.
• A set of ten edited case studies has been
  commissioned on the current use of innovative
  technologies and their impact.
• The case studies are being produced by The Open
  University, Institute of Educational Technology
  under Agnes Kukulska-Hulme. The University of
  Edinburgh under Nora Mogey will be producing the
  supporting video clips. Completion is due by
  November 2004
• A workshop to explore technology futures,
  scenarios of future learners and learning
  environments is being planned for September 2004,
  possibly as a SIG at ALT-C.

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Other links

• HE Estates
• http//www.heestates.ac.uk
• Space Management Group
• http//www.smg.ac.uk