Designing Spaces for Effective Learning

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Designing Spaces for Effective Learning

• Ros Smith, Consultant, JISC e-Learning and
  Innovation Strand

Joint Information Systems Committee
Supporting education and research
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E-Learning and Innovation Strand

• The Innovation Strand of the JISC e-Learning
  Programme aims to explore how innovative
  technologies can be harnessed to support
  learning. It has three key themes
• Mobile and wireless learning
• Design of physical learning spaces for effective
  learning
• Gaming for learning
• For more info - www.jisc.ac.uk/elearning_innovatio
  n.html
• e-Learning is pedagogically sound,
  learner-focused and accessible

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Design of physical learning spaces for effective
learning

• What has been achieved..
• The JISC eSpaces Study by the Learning
  Development Unit, University of Birmingham (2005)
  www.ldu.bham.ac.uk/espaces
• A succinct new guide on learning space design for
  senior managers to be launched at JISC
  Conference 2006 -Designing Spaces for Effective
  Learning
• Collaboration with JISC infoNet in the production
  of a web-based infoKit on Designing Spaces for
  Effective Learning www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/infokits/
  learning-space-design
• Three resources offering different routes into
  guidance on learning space design

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Designing Spaces for Effective Learning

• Takes readers on a walk through different types
  of space
• Brings issues relating to estates management,
  space utilisation, pedagogy and technology into
  one forum
• Illustrates approaches taken in 11 major
  institutions across the UK, both FE and HE
• Represents refurbished and new-build projects

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Designing Spaces for Effective Learning

• Explores future developments in pedagogy,
  technology and physical space design
• Provides architects floor plans for three types
  of space based on current thinking general
  teaching, vocational and learning centres
• Concludes with a checklist of key points for
  senior managers planning technology-rich learning
  spaces

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Key messages

• Redesigning learning space is a large-scale,
  long-term project which all stakeholders must buy
  into
• Designs of physical spaces need to be linked to
  the institutions strategic vision for teaching
  and learning
• Featured institutions reflect a shift in design
  towards inclusive and personalised learning
  environments
• And a shift in practice towards social,
  collaborative and active models of learning

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Key messages

• Learning spaces must be able to support these
  shifts and accommodate future changes in pedagogy
  and technology

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A final word

• The college that Id rebuild would be
  something big and awe-inspiring that would make a
  lasting impression. FE learner quoted in
  Realising the Potential, Andrew Foster (2005)
• The creation of innovative learning spaces is a
  journey. We have created a space in which we are
  still finding out more about teaching and
  learning. Garrick Jones, Fellow of the Institute
  of Social Psychology, London School of Economics
  and Political Science, LSE

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Designing Spaces for Effective Learning

• Designing Spaces for Effective Learning will be
  launched on 14 March at JISC Conference in
  Birmingham with a workshop featuring speakers
  from case study institutions
• The guide will be distributed in March to
  principals and managers with responsibility for
  estates and library and learning services in FE,
  and vice-chancellors, directors of library and
  learning services, estates and student services
  in HE
• Copies will be dispatched to RSC managers for
  secondary distribution
• Further copies can be ordered from info_at_jisc.ac.uk