The Perfect Space: Classroom Environments and Learning

Outcomes

The Perfect Space: Classroom Environments and Learning

Outcomes

Elizabeth Yates, Liaison/Scholarly Communication LibrarianJustine Cotton, Liaison LibrarianElizabeth Yates, Liaison/Scholarly Communication LibrarianJustine Cotton, Liaison Librarian

Is there a perfect space?Is there a perfect space?

What we heard…What we heard…

*Flexible everything*

Bright colours/windows

1+ Projector/whiteboard

Possible bonus feature! “gin & tonic for the librarian post-workshop”

Strong wifi

Storage

The Perfect Space?The Perfect Space?

4

http://www.dal.ca/news/2013/04/08/the-changing-classroom.htmlscaleup.ncsu.edu/wiki/pages/12m1C9c6/Massachusetts_Institute_of_Technology.html

http://www.cmu.edu/computing/clusters/facilities/ctc.html

The Survey:The Survey:

Fall 2014Librarians & library staffIn-person library instructionOntario college and university libraries52 respondents

Fall 2014Librarians & library staffIn-person library instructionOntario college and university libraries52 respondents

About the respondentsAbout the respondents

Landaff, Grafton County, New Hampshire. The Blue School teacher is a Massachusetts girl, new this yearU.S. National Archives

Formal training in teaching?Formal training in teaching?

Years of Experience in Teaching:Years of Experience in Teaching:

Years of Experience as Librarian/Library Staff:Years of Experience as Librarian/Library Staff:

Teaching landscapesTeaching landscapes

School Classroom. Water J. Hussey Collection, Smithsonian Institution: 2010.0080.29

Number of teaching sessionsNumber of teaching sessions

In a Library/Learning Commons classroom

In a Library/Learning Commons classroom

In the instructor’s classroom In the instructor’s classroom

Another space on campusAnother space on campus

Classroom preferencesClassroom preferences

Classroom preferences: themesClassroom preferences: themes

FamiliarityFamiliarity

Image: 'Catnap' http://www.flickr.com/photos/52187251@N03/6272147093Found on flickrcc.net

What we heard:What we heard:

“ I like providing instruction on my own ‘turf’ where I can easily troubleshoot any technical or other issues.”

“ I know this environment best … in my house … I feel I have more control.”

“ I like providing instruction on my own ‘turf’ where I can easily troubleshoot any technical or other issues.”

“ I know this environment best … in my house … I feel I have more control.”

Technology + Active learningTechnology + Active learning

Image: laptop work by sqback http://www.freeimages.com/profile/sqback

What we heard:What we heard:

“more engagement and interaction; better understanding … self efficacy”

“students learn better that way”“more authentic learning experience”

“more engagement and interaction; better understanding … self efficacy”

“students learn better that way”“more authentic learning experience”

Classroom landscapesClassroom landscapes

Tory Island outdoor classroom by David Baird CC-BY http://www.geograph.ie/photo/1432694

Classroom landscapes: themesClassroom landscapes: themes

Sensory conditionsSensory conditions

• Noisy• Hot• Too dark

or too bright

Physical conditionsPhysical conditions

http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/File:Charms_class2.jpg

• Poor sightlines• Too small• Little flexibility

Classroom spacesClassroom spaces

Classroom furniture & equipmentClassroom furniture & equipment

A/V & softwareA/V & software

Functional versus optimalFunctional versus optimal

“We use a laptop that really should be a desktop computer in a proper instruction desk. It always seems to be not working properly and is very awkward to use because of the way it is set up. Conversely, there are enough computers to use, but they are often not working correctly either, so a good part of the time is often spent setting up students properly.”

“We use a laptop that really should be a desktop computer in a proper instruction desk. It always seems to be not working properly and is very awkward to use because of the way it is set up. Conversely, there are enough computers to use, but they are often not working correctly either, so a good part of the time is often spent setting up students properly.”

Learning Outcomes & AssessmentLearning Outcomes & Assessment

Most (80.4%) respondents are using learning outcomes in library teaching

Interestingly, only about half (52%) of respondents ASSESS their library teaching

Most (80.4%) respondents are using learning outcomes in library teaching

Interestingly, only about half (52%) of respondents ASSESS their library teaching

Assessment – how?Assessment – how?

Impact of Classroom Space & Instructional Design

Impact of Classroom Space & Instructional Design

Most respondents (76%) agree that the classroom space has an impact on instructional design

Themes that emerged: Library classrooms foster hands-on, active

learning Lecture hall space = demo/discussion

Most respondents (76%) agree that the classroom space has an impact on instructional design

Themes that emerged: Library classrooms foster hands-on, active

learning Lecture hall space = demo/discussion

Classroom Features that affect student learning outcomes:

Classroom Features that affect student learning outcomes:

“As to noise, lighting and temperature - you cannot learn if you are uncomfortable - it is hard to concentrate.”

“any tech issues (esp. wifi) really impede the learning, as students become more focused on trying to troubleshoot.”

“any tech issues (esp. wifi) really impede the learning, as students become more focused on trying to troubleshoot.”

Teaching Space – Where do you feel most confident?

Teaching Space – Where do you feel most confident?

All of the above/confident in any

space

Why?Why?

Familiarity with the space and technology

Important to get students in the Library

Ability to incorporate active learning

Familiarity with the space and technology

Important to get students in the Library

Ability to incorporate active learning

vs. outside Library:

Regular classroom = easier for the students

Neutral territory

vs. outside Library:

Regular classroom = easier for the students

Neutral territory

Teaching Space – Where do you feel most anxious?

Teaching Space – Where do you feel most anxious?

Anxiety:Anxiety:

“I feel responsible if something doesn't work well since it is considered as "my space".”

“I feel responsible if something doesn't work well since it is considered as "my space".”

What does this mean for classroom design?

What does this mean for classroom design?

Incorporate flexibility in designEnsure reliable & strong technologyConsider physical & sensory issues

Incorporate flexibility in designEnsure reliable & strong technologyConsider physical & sensory issues

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What does this mean for instruction?

What does this mean for instruction?

Library classrooms = lower anxiety for library instructors

Library classrooms offer more opportunity for active learning & group work = better learning outcomes?

Library classrooms = lower anxiety for library instructors

Library classrooms offer more opportunity for active learning & group work = better learning outcomes?

Your thoughts on the perfect space?Your thoughts on the perfect space?