University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning The Centre for Active Learning at the University of Gloucestershire Martin Jenkins and Jo Lonsdale Designing Spaces for Learning St Martins College, Carlisle 8 th September 2006

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning The Centre for Active Learning Building

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning The Active Learning principle ‘learning is the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience’ (Kolb, 1984, 38). The approach to active learning at the University of Gloucestershire has been developed from the Kolb Learning Cycle (Kolb, 1984) and the Performances of Understanding (Blythe and Associates, 1998)

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning The Kolb learning cycle

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning The Centre for Active Learning Building Designed to specifically support active learning  Collaborative and innovative learning and teaching spaces  Flexible environment  Student-owned space  Modern and technologically rich environment  Supporting diversity of learning styles and student groups

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning Ground floor: The Resource Zone Resources zone and display area  Drop-in access controlled by swipe card  Student-owned space – non-timetabled space  Collaborative working takes precedence  Informal atmosphere –Learning café style –Internet access  Variety of comfortable furniture  Mobile phone and refreshment tolerant

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning The Entrance

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning The Resource Zone

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning First Floor: The Project Zone Project zone  Flexible learning spaces –Promoting collaboration  IT to encourage collaboration –Supporting innovation and active learning –Investigation of mobile technologies  Bookable teaching space plus drop-in use

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning The Project Zone

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning Second Floor: The Conference Zone Student conference zone  Flexible conference layout  Professional environment –authentic experience  Video-conferencing facilities  Professional and community interface  Formal space to encourage professional working  Bookable space

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning The Conference Zone

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning Breakout Zones

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning The building as an event space  Induction  Conferences –Student –Professional –Community  Exhibition space –Student work –Professional

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning Staffing and support Self-supporting –Web pages –Information Management System Staff Support –Learning skills and technical support  Learning Mentors  CeAL staff –Roaming –No fixed service point

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning Aims for a sustainable building  Building constructed and operates to high sustainability performance (BREEAM 2006)  Sustainability of the learning environment for the university community –Self-supporting in terms of layout and management encouraging independent and responsible use –Development of Ethos and Code of Conduct –Environmental monitoring of the building –Monitoring of the staff and student groups as sustainable communities

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning Discussion questions In groups consider the following: –How would you design and support learning spaces for active learning? –How would you evaluate active learning spaces?

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning Centre for Active Learning Research and Evaluation

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning Research of the building as a learning space Analysis of staff and student use  How?  Why?  Who?  How many?  How successful?  What are they doing?  What are they using?

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning Research of the building as a learning space  Use of Building Systems – CCTV, access logs  Observations –Daily Blog for Learning Mentors and CeAL staff  Module evaluations  Photographic records  Interviews  Feedback from quiz questions weekly on the plasma screens – with prizes! –Q1: Sustainability Quiz Question –Q2: What is your primary reason for being in the building today  Questionnaires for staff and students

University of Gloucestershire Centre for Active Learning Centre for Active Learning Research Projects Induction The building Investigating learning technologies University-wide projects