Designing New Learning SpacesFrom rooms to cities

Mike SharplesLearning Sciences Research Institute

University of Nottingham

www.nottingham.ac.uk/lsri/msh

Learning Spaces

The design of rooms, buildings and public spaces to support learning and creativity

A learning space should be able to motivate learners and promote learning as an activity, support collaborative as well as formal practice, provide a personalised and inclusive environment, and be flexible in the face of changing needs.Designing Spaces for Effective Learning: A guide to 21st century learning space design, JISC

Aspects of a successful learning space

• Motivate learners

• Promote active learning

• Support collaborative learning

• Support formal learning

• Provide a personalised environment

• Be flexible

New Learning

• 1:1 learning with personal technologies– Group Scribbles

• Technology-enabled group learning– MCSCL– Shared display– Design and creativity

• Cyber-performance• Problem-based learning• Connected learning

– Between classrooms– Between formal and informal settings

New Designs• Techno-Café

– Small group learning, self access-learning, teacher-led seminars

• Interactive classroom– Handheld response systems– 1:1 learning with personal devices

• Flexible learning space– Flexibility of: room design, furniture, technology,

connectivity– Unobtrusive technology– Multimedia group learning, creativity, webcast

seminars, multi-site learning, teaching and learning observatory

New Designs

• Graded learning space– Space moving from quite reflection to group learning, to

informal self access, to café space

• Studio– Drama – cyber-drama– Art and design – digital arts and media

• Innovative learning building– Connecting inside and outside– New teaching and learning spaces– Connecting with community– Sustainability and environmental responsiveness

• Learning city

Interactive classroom, Taiwan

• Traditional classroom• All children with tablet

computers• Handheld response

systems• ‘Teachers cart’ for storing

and recharging devices• Improvisation (balancing

tablet on pencil case!)

Teaching and Learning ObservatoryUniversity of Nottingham• Connects teaching

rooms

• High quality video plus shared whiteboard

• Learning scenarios– Teacher training– Shared learning (e.g.

UK/Belgium language learning)

– Research

Techno-café, University of Durham• Motivation

– Based on Pizza Hut booths• Active learning

– Support for design and creativity• Collaborative learning

– Small group ‘pods’• Formal learning

– Teacher can present to and view screens

– Remote monitoring of activity• Personalised environment

– Student bring their own laptops• Flexibility

– Self-study, small group or teacher-led sessions

Graded learning spaceMason Lounge, University of Birmingham

• Semi-formal learning space

• Moves from formal to social learning along the room

• Combines – self-study area – meeting place – café

LSRI Learning labsUniversity of Nottingham

• Integrated suite of rooms to research and deliver learning innovations

• Maximum flexibility• Any to any

connection• Designed around

learning scenarios

LSRI Flexible Learning Room• Learning scenarios

– Webcast teaching– Videoconference meetings– Teaching and learning

observatory– Group creativity– Informal technology-

supported discussions

• Observation• Recording• Connectivity

CETADLUniversity of Birmingham University

Problem-based learning spaceWolfson Medical School University of Glasgow

• Simulated ward areas

• Vocation skills area

• Role play with actors

• Remote observation

Djanogly City Academy, Nottingham

• New build middle school 11-14• First school to be built to support

mobile learning• All students have wireless tablet

computers• Tablets linked to data projectors• Spaces designed for small group

and informal learning• Plasma screens to display

students’ work

RSA AcademySandwell• New £20 million

building• Designed around the

RSA Opening Minds curriculum

• Rethinking learning spaces– “Finger” teaching

wings connect with landscaped outdoor teaching spaces

– Flexible L-shaped rooms

2006 World Cup

Integrated city infrastructuresportsleisuretransportcommunicationssecurity

Designed to support sport and entertainmentWhat would a ‘learning city’ look like?

Issues in the design of learning spaces

• Designing for 21st century learning• Designing for flexibility• Designing for sustainability• Design partnerships:

– Learning designers, architects, interactive systems engineers

• Ethics– Ownership, control, surveillance

• Evaluation– How to measure success?