Leading Educational Applications and Design Program 2005-06
Innovative Design of Learning Environments
The idea of a "classroom" has expanded to include virtual as well as traditional spaces. Many hybrid/blended courses and distance learning initiatives are demonstrating that "the classroom" can be in all sorts of places, arrangements, and times. The focus of the 2005-06 program is to explore and implement the innovative design of learning environments to positively impact learning and teaching. Innovative proposals will be funded at three levels: exploratory (up to $1500), design research and dissemination (up to $4000), and implementation (up to $7500). (For an detailed description and an application form go to (link to file on CELT)). These projects will constitute a body of institutional research to both inform and help implement parts of the strategic plan for instructional technology.
Educause Review, a publication devoted to information technology in higher education, is a rich source of case studies and summaries on innovation in the design of learning spaces. Current and archived issues are available at http://educause.edu/apps/er/index.asp. The theme of the July-August 2005 issue was Learning Spaces. A matrix by Malcolm Brown in that issue at http://educause.edu/apps/er/index.asp links "Net-Gen" learner traits and learning space design theory and practice. Diana Oblinger, Vice-President of Educause and Director of the National Learning Infrastructure Initiative (NLII), wrote about "how the convergence of technology, pedagogy, and space can lead to exciting new models of campus interaction" in her white paper excerpted in Educause Quarterly (Number 1, 2005) as "Leading the Transition from Classrooms to Learning Spaces." (http://educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eqm0512.pdf ).
Learning spaces at other universities
Cornell University http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/instruct/classtech/design/
University of Birmingham (link to UBirming.ppt) excerpted from a presentation at Educause 2005 conference. The buildings shown are "older" buildings.
Wallenberg Hall, at Stanford University is a showpiece hi-tech teaching and learning facility. For scenes of teaching and learning, see the photo gallery on http://wallenberg.stanford.edu/ . For other classroom views go to http://wallenberg.stanford.edu/classresources/details.html .
The collected resources below are adapted and expanded from a list by Angela Linse, Director of Temple University's Teaching and Learning Center .
Trends, Research, Theory
Flexible Space and Built Pedagogy: Emerging IT Embodiments by T. Monahan (2002). "built pedagogy"=architectural embodiments of educational philosophies
In synch: Environmental behavior research and the design of learning spaces by L. Scott-Weber, Ann Arbor, MI : Society for College and University Planning. http://www.scup.org/pubs/Books/is_ebrdls.html
Engaged Learning http://industryclick.com. McDonough, James American School and University; v72 n9 , p60,63-64 ; May 2000. Notes that research on how students learn and retain knowledge is changing not only how teachers teach, but also how facilities planners and architects design a classroom's shape, size, organization, and furnishings. Suggests that classrooms need to be flexible and dynamic, must integrate new technologies, must be large enough to accommodate transformation, and must include furnishings that move easily and convert from one use to another.
The Changing College Classroom by Paulien, Daniel K. Facilities Manager; v 14 n6 , p24-27, 30 ; November- December 1998. Describes the ways in which college classrooms are changing as a result of technology, furnishings, and educational needs requiring more space and different classroom design concepts. Why the traditional tablet armchair classroom is becoming unpopular is explained.
Case Studies
The Netherlands Study House: New Designs for New Pedagogies http://www.oecd.org//els/education/peb/resources.htm#1 Fisher, Kenn, PEB Exchange; n35 , p12-13 ; Oct 1998. Discusses the Netherland's approach to help students meet the basic competency requirements of employers and tertiary institutions. The new pedagogical approach, called Study House, integrates a nontraditional curriculum delivery that fosters students working in teams and setting their own tasks within an innovative classroom design.
Place and Space in the Design of New Learning Environments (2000), by Dr Peter Jamieson, Monash University; Kenn Fisher, Flinders University; Dr Tony Gilding, Victoria University of Technology; Dr Peter G. Taylor, Griffith University; and Dr A.C.F. (Chris) Trevitt, Australian National University. The paper highlights examples of recent developments of new learning environments which have been enhanced by the contribution of educational developers at several Australian universities. It also proposes a set of pedagogically-informed principles to guide the development of on-campus teaching and learning environments (which may feature the use of new communication and information technologies).
Classroom Design Guidelines and Principles
The Case for the L-Shaped Classroom: Does the shape of a classroom affect the quality of the learning that goes on inside it? James Dyck and A. Principal; v74 n2 , p41-45 ; Nov 1994 Classroom shape is an important variable in educational quality. The traditional squat rectangle may be counterproductive to the learning process. The fat L-shaped classroom, compared to H, X, and T shapes, offers good separation, is more compact, and provides good visibility and ease of movement for the teacher. It has excellent nesting capabilities and can be easily grouped into pods, clusters, or wings.
Smarter College Classrooms http://www.classrooms.com/index.html Source of classroom information for colleges, architects & facilities planners including classroom design principles and tips, smart classrooms, media-equipped classrooms, guidelines and specifications, photo gallery, cost estimates, classroom resources and product/vendor information.
http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/instruct/classtech/design/ Cornell University 's Classroom Technologies group has created a web site with information on integrating the use of information technologies in Cornell's electronic classrooms. Includes classroom design, layout guidelines, product information, and support infrastructure.
Clagaugh, Sue, Classroom Design Manual, 3rd edition http://www.oit.umd.edu/units/tel/staff/clabaugh/designmanual.html
Classroom Design Forum http://www.classroomdesignforum.org/ Design information on classroom design layout and media placement. Site established by Ronald E. Baker who describes the information as a distillation of knowledge gained from designing and renovating classrooms at a major midwestern university over a period of 40 years.
Rickes, Persis (ed.), 2001, Special Planning for Special Spaces, 2001 Resource Catalog, Society for College and University Planning. Ann Arbor : Society for College and University Planning. This resourceful anthology is dedicated to facilities planning. Articles have been selected from past issues of Planning for Higher Education and, in some cases, updated for this publication. Organized into sections on four core spaces-cultural, instructional, student, and outdoor-this book aims to provide new insights and strategic planning tools for occupants and planners alike. Facilities and academic planners, architects, and anyone interested in the impact of special spaces on the campus learning environment will find this book to be a valuable resource.
Clearinghouses for information on facilities design in education
Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) http://www.scup.org/ Space Management! More than 400 people belong to its email discussion list.
CAE Net. CAE Net is the quarterly newsletter of the Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE) of the AIA. See Practice Theory, Pedagogy, and the Design of Learning Environments, Peter C. Lippman, Assoc. AIA http://www.aia.org/cae_a_20031101_justathought
National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities Resource Lists:
http://www.edfacilities.org/rl/classroom_design.cfm
http://www.edfacilities.org/rl/impact_learning.cfm
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