Author: cdishke

A few years ago I had the opportunity to attend the LearnxDesign conference hosted at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. During the conference I presented a paper on a relatively recent project I had undertaken to better understand the needs of faculty with respect to some upcoming classroom renovations. Afterwards I was part of a team that edited a special issue of FORMakademisk about design in learning.

Seeing that my role once again is intersecting with the needs of faculty with respect to classroom and learning space design, it thought I would go back to that unpublished paper and pull forward a few basic principles of theory that were discussed at that conference, and also provide a quick summary of the results from the research project. These ideas are being presented in three parts, this, the second installment provides the results of our small study. The final post will bring forward some of my thoughts on what we need to consider for designing great learning spaces in the future.

As I’ve discussed in the last two posts, learning spaces influence our behaviour, and offer opportunities or constraints for what is possible. In this last post of the series I want to bring forward a few spaces that I think are exciting in their design and appear to function well for both teachers and learners.

In October 2019, I was in Terrace at the BCcampus Symposium. One of many highlights of the conference was a travelling dinner on the first night that was hosted in three different spaces. The Waap Galts’ap Community House (Longhouse), the Yurt, and the Frieda Diesing Studio.  The links direct you to Coast Mountain College’s website which provides information about the buildings, so I’ll encourage you to read more about them on the website, and just share why I think two of them are particularly interesting.

The Waap Galts’ap Community House has an arresting design, and it meets you before you even enter the campus. The building itself is much larger than what surrounds it, and the cedar posts and beams that comprise the building almost glow against the green grass and blue sky. Inside, a massive open room full of flexible seating, comfortable couches and bench seating provided plenty of options to find a comfortable place to sit and take in the many carvings and paintings. The open space and natural materials communicate that this is a place that holds meaning, that is meant for people to gather and spend time (not just move through) and connects the past and the future.

Waap Galts’ap Community House (The Longhouse). Coast Mountain College, Terrace, BC

Interior carvings of the Waap Galts’ap Community House (The Longhouse). Coast Mountain College, Terrace, BC

The Learning Lab Yurt was the space I was most excited to visit having heard about its design and construction at a conference the previous year. Built to serve as a learning lab, this round, tent-like building holds moving chairs, flip-top tables and a large television. To me it seemed like a hybrid space- both reflecting the nature of place- based experiential learning, while also maintaining the tools of a very modern classroom (no fur or fire pits). Despite the modernity, it was easy to feel at home in the space, and the gentle rain falling while we were in there was a distinct reminder of the direct influence of nature- quite unlike being in an interior classroom where the only sound is the HVAC system.

Learning Lab Yurt – Coast Mountain College, Terrace, BC Photo – BCcampus

Now, to other northern spaces…

In the fall of 2018 I had the opportunity to spend some time with colleagues at the University of Southeast Norway. I have been impressed with USN’s campus for years, having visited several times as part of an ongoing collaborative research project since 2011. Each time I find myself taking photos of the spaces, the students’ work, and the amazing views from the cafeteria and upper atrium. Their spaces are dominated by unpainted wood, large windows that open wide (a rarity in modern buildings), and an abundance of casual places to gather and eat or talk.

Art in terraced rear outdoor courtyard. University of Southeast Norway Photo, author 2016

On my most recent visit I was invited on a tour of a recently-renovated space they had constructed called the DigTEKLab. More than what we might consider a Maker Space, these connected rooms offered a podcasting/ green screen room, flexible collaboration space with projection and whiteboards, sewing machines, craft supplies, a 3D printer and CNC milling machine, and a literal sandbox with a topographic projector overlay. As we consider the design and use of maker spaces in higher education, it reminds me that making is a particularity important way that humans create meaning out of abstract concepts. Whether it is through craft, art, design, cooking, or performance, spaces can give us the allowance to further understand and play with meaning.

Underlying everything I’ve thought about in the last few posts is that space conveys meaning and the design of the space can be a clear indication of its purpose and function.  Some spaces do it better than others. Engaging users in space design and thinking carefully about the constraints and opportunities can lead to gains in the long run.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to attend the LearnxDesign conference hosted at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. During the conference I presented a paper on a relatively recent project I had undertaken to better understand the needs of faculty with respect to some upcoming classroom renovations. Afterwards I was part of a team that edited a special issue of FORMakademisk about design in learning. 

Seeing that my role once again is intersecting with the needs of faculty with respect to classroom and learning space design, it thought I would go back to that unpublished paper and pull forward a few basic principles of theory that were discussed at that conference, and also provide a quick summary of the results from the research project. These ideas are being presented in three parts, this, the second installment provides the results of our small study. The final post will bring forward some of my thoughts on what we need to consider for designing learning spaces in the future.

What do faculty and students want to see and feel in their classrooms? How and where do faculty teach best, and students learn best?  This is a summary of a small study where we tried to find answers these and other questions.

In collaboration with the Library at a mid-sized University in Ontario, students and faculty were invited to complete a survey and attend focus groups about learning space at the university in preparation for upcoming renovations.   Ethical approval was applied for and received, and participants agreed that their data could be shared providing their identities remained confidential. The response rate was very strong with 44 faculty completing the survey (nearly the entire faculty complement) and 100 students (out of approximately 1,200). Ten faculty members and eight students attended four focus groups. Students and faculty responses were recorded separately, and no incentive was provided for their participation in the survey or the focus groups.

The survey covered a variety of topics, including use and preference for types of technology (Apple/PC user, laptop or desktop) as well as preferences for space design, including furniture and lighting. The focus group questions concentrated more on how students and faculty actually made use of the learning spaces and what they would like to see changed. For example, focus group participants were to indicate on a paper map of the campus the spaces that they liked and used and those that they disliked or avoided, then explained why.

Responses have been summarised here to illustrate some of the most salient and general points that came out of these discussions. I have avoided summarizing specific complaints about particular classrooms, however that information was shared with the administration. As I move through the data now, almost five years later I realize how rich this information is and how generous the participants were with their experiences.

A few key findings:

First and foremost, faculty and students were very clear in their statements that space made them feel a certain way, and that space was not neutral in design or function. Students and faculty repeatedly stated that rooms with no windows were “depressing”, and that the rooms that hadn’t been renovated or re-painted in years were “uninspiring” or “gloomy”. There was no preference among faculty or students for active learning (flat) classrooms or tiered lecture halls.

Both faculty and students urged consistency in design and use. As they both travel in and out of different spaces though their days and weeks, different setups, different amenities and opportunities were confusing and changed the way the classes operated. Simply having computers that all used the same switches and the same number of white or blackboards in each room was seen a critical factor in comfort and easing frustration.

The campus in general invoked a distinct sense of nostalgia. That nostalgic space is positive in forming a sense of community, but was seen to reinforce hierarchies, including who had access to the most desirable spaces, and importantly, who did not. Who had keys to what was seen as an indicator of power and control.

There was an emerging understanding of the need for spaces that were accessible for a variety of body types and mobilities. Students in particular indicated that spaces were not designed for bodies that were built smaller or larger than average, and this brought forward discussion of specific cases where students were uncomfortable or unable to participate. A student shared an example about a newly renovated space where the new furniture couldn’t meet the needs of another specific student causing old furniture to have to be brought in for their use.

Lastly, and with emphasis, there are never enough power outlets.

I think these results are helpful in highlighting very basic considerations when thinking about learning spaces. Simple fixes like paint, consistent setup and an awareness of how bodies move through space are basic considerations that have a big impact. So much so that we likely don’t notice when they are done well- good spaces let learning come to the forefront. How we teach and learn is situated in a place, influenced by factors largely outside the control of both teachers and learners. Though we anticipated finding strong preferences for specific classroom designs given anecdotal conversations about large lecture halls vs. classes with moveable chairs, in this small sample there were no discernable preferences. One way of interpreting that finding is that the real difference is the teacher-student interaction, and that is more important than where people are located in a place. At CELT, we aim to support faculty and help them find ways to move students toward learning outcomes. Educators create structures that support learning.  When the end goal is a positive student learning experience, there are myriad good ways to get there, even when the space isn’t perfect. We must not forget that learning happens everywhere- it is not confined or limited to a classroom.