Learning Space Design
Our readings and class activities for Tuesday, April 10, focus on classrooms as designed learning spaces. We have selected readings from several peer-reviewed journals that explore emerging understandings surrounding learners and learning spaces in the 21st century.
We’d like you to consider your area of professional interest to frame your engagement with this week’s activities – For some that may mean university classrooms – for others secondary or middle school classrooms or even museum spaces.
Readings:
Six readings have been posted to Yammer. You may choose any combination of those readings or select your own appropriate for the context of your learning space.
Options:
1. Rickes (2009) Make Way for Millennials! How Today’s Students are Shaping Higher Education Space (Cole & Scott… we remember how you favor the millennial generalizations…)
2. Roman (2009) A New Classroom Design Challenge
3. Gislason (2009) Mapping School Design: A Qualitative Study of the Relations Among Facilities Design, Curriculum Delivery, and School Climate
4. Read (2010) Contemplating Design: Listening to Children’s Preferences about Classroom Design
5. Hill & Epps (2010) The Impact of Physical Classroom Environment on Student Satisfaction and Student Evaluation of Teaching in the University Environment
6. Halverson (2011) Do Social Networking Technologies Have a Place in Formal Learning Environments?
Be prepared to discuss how the reading(s) informed your design. See design challenge below.
Challenge:
Draw, sketch, or construct a design for a dream learning space. Be as creative as you desire. Spare no expense… (regarding planning)
You will present your design on Tuesday in class. If you can, post it as an individual blog post on Monday, April 9. However, if you believe an ‘unveiling’ is more appropriate, an after class post is fine. Feel free to comment on posts as they go up.
In class on Tuesday, we will ask you to discuss the following as aspects of the design process when you present your ideas:
Identify what the space is used for (the context…)
How does/do learning purpose or themes influence the design?
How might varied levels of participation be considered? Varied roles (instructors/students)?
How did theory or empirical research inform your design? (class readings or other scholarly work you have consulted on your own)
Feel free to collaborate or request input from a learner or learners who may use the space.
Attempt to include at least three distinct elements (circular tables alone will not be enough…Dan will award extra credit).
How might the freedom to explore design under ‘ideal’ contexts prompt you to consider technology in new or unexpected ways?