Retrofitting Learning Spaces

The Student Voice

Judy Stokker, Director, Library Services Assoc Prof Helen PartridgeAssoc Prof Sylvia Edwards

Victoria Menzies (Research Assistant)

How do we redevelop original University classroom spaces to support new ways to

enable and facilitate student learning in a cost effective manner?

Key Framing Questions

• Pedagogical considerations• Technological considerations• Stakeholder considerations• Design considerations

This study captured students’ perceptions and experiences of learning spaces and places.

QUT Students

• 30.5% are from an equity group• 38-40% are first in family to attend university• 79% are under the age of 20 (compared to 69% national average)• 43% spend 6-10hrs/week travelling to a campus (compared to

29% national average)• Only 18% are not in paid work (compared to 31% national

average)

Participants• 30 participants• 9 PG and 21 UG• 10 disciplines: Health, Law, IT,

Education, Creative Industries, Psychology, Health, Built Environment, Business, Science

• 11 international, 19 domestic• 17 male, 13 female• 2 identified as having a

disability

Some Key Points• Importantly, students’ perceptions of learning

spaces were influenced by:– their experiences, discipline area (technology,

facilities and needs), – individual learning preferences and needs, – the demands of the learning or assessment task – whether they have their own laptop; – expectations as a result of previous experiences (e.g.

age, cultural background or prior study), – personal preferences (e.g. visual appeal, natural

lighting, informal environment).

A few generalisable characteristics for GROUP SPACES

• Students require spaces that are:– diverse– adaptable – flexible– access to technology and the internet– engender group collaboration and personal

connection. – Bookable– Convenience, time and appeal

Best productive space

Worst group

spaces

Best group computer space

Worst hangout

spaces

Best information library

Worst spaces to work alone

Best places to work alone

Best places

to work alone

Worst angry spaces

Best tute room

Worst tute spaces

Best lecture

theatres

Best lecture theatres

Worst student

information centre

Best outdoor space

Best calm

green space

University Life is, you know, everything, you see people walking past with their laptops and their books, and you see people rushing by, and you feel like you’re a part of it……

Best calm spaces

So there’s one room that I kind of didn’t mind, but it’s got carpet floors and doing a practical subject last semester I got carpet burns on my knees so many times. Because you know you’re throwing yourself down, you know it is drama. And so this one’s got a lino floor which is better, but it’s still a bit cold and I have to say being at a uni where we had timber floors, I don’t know, I just felt a lot more creatively inspired. And I moved a lot more. It’s the best space at this uni that I’ve found.

The best space for me to work alone is the Q320 computer lab. Basically it’s a computer room with people just in our faculty. Yeah, medical imaging students only use it. It’s just a room of about 30 computers

Leximancer Analysis

6 major thematic clusters: work, relaxing, library, information, lectures and appeal.

Common Themes

Some Lessons Learnt

• A variety of different spaces required• The variety of spaces needs to be obvious• The purpose of the space needs to clear• A group space is not the same for all – know our clientele• Bookable/Nonbookable space a high priority• Silent, private space important• Outdoor space very important – bring the outside in?

The Method

• Resource intensive• Database of photos –

online delivery• Kiosk at busy sections

in university

Acknowledgements

Support for this activity has been provided by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council Ltd, an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

The views expressed in this activity do not necessarily reflect the

views of the Australian Learning and Teaching Council.