7 december 2010 LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 1 The Key Role of Xplora in the Educational Concept of Avans University Ellen Simons Learning and Innovation Centre 2010

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 autonomy (= “la loi Pécresse” 2009) has been reality in the Netherlands since 1986

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Dutch universities: more than 20 years of experience in creating their own policies as to crucial fields like: Staffing Finance Educational approach Facilities and buildings …..

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december Avans University of Applied Sciences 3 locations students 103 bachelor programs 5 master programs 1 Learning and Innovation Center 22 research groups staff Breda Den Bosch Tilburg

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Concerning the 2009 French report on learning centers Four observations based on our own experience with a learning center over the last 5 years

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Observation 1 Facilities and buildings should be designed based on the chosen policy of learning and teaching

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Observation 2 “Learning and understanding” does happen (or not) in the student’s head The university’s task is to actively stimulate this process The traditional way of whole class teaching is only one out of many ways to make this happen

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Observation 3 Does the teaching-concept change?  change facilities accordingly! Does the teaching-concept change fundamentally?  change the ‘experience’ by changing the facilities in an architectural striking way!

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Xplora Breda 9

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Observation 4 But do not copy other universities’ successful choices blindly: your students may have different needs because their situation is different (Example: experience Avans university)

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Example: experience Avans university Basic needs Avans students proved to be different from Sheffield students Characterization Dutch students: – 70% still live at home – have excellent ICT facilities at home Outcome – Avans Learning Centre never had nighttime opening hours – Only low interest for weekend opening hours

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Traditional education

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Modern education

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december The influence of the learning environment “We know that space can have a significant impact on teaching and learning. Exactly how we bring together space, technology, and pedagogy will continue to evolve.” Diane G. Oblinger, Space as a change agent in Learning Spaces, Educause, 2006 “Spaces are themselves agents for change. Changed spaces will change practice.” JISC, Designing Spaces for Effective Learning: A guide to 21st century learning space design, 2006

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Consequences for Library Adequate resources Library staff becomes part of educational process Library must change into a rich learning environment

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Vision on learning and teaching is leading Connecting people: student – teacher – professional field Recognising diversity Creating knowledge Establishing a dynamic learning environment physical and virtual 16

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december From library to The New Learning Environment

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Xplora visitors per year

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december Positioning of the Learning centre Just a facility or a key element in the institution’s vision on teaching and learning?

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december Facility or Strategic instrument? “A learning space should be able to motivate learners and promote learning as an activity, support collaborative as well as formal practice, provide a personalised and inclusive environment, and be flexible in the face of changing needs.” JISC

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december Key element in strategic vision: “What is important is that designs of physical spaces are linked to the institution’s strategic vision for teaching and learning, and that this is articulated in every detail of the design and shared with all stakeholders, including learners.” JISC

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Positioning of Xplora in Avans University Xplora as part of Learning and Innovation Centre: Provides an integrated learning environment (physical and virtual) Advisory role towards schools on the subject of educational programs

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Organizational consequences Position: from side-line to centre New role: information specialist Role of information specialist comparable to educational officer Library merged into Learning and Innovation Centre

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Partner to education Strong contacts with school faculty Working-relations between Learning Centre and schools must be built and maintained Important role for information specialist

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 The New Way Contact-persons for each school A pro-active approach Subject-teams Close cooperation with educational officers User research and feedback groups

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Consequences for Xplora Staff Relationship to student changes Relationship to teacher changes Different competences needed Special staff training-programme

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Learning Centre Staff New job descriptions set up with team members (2005) Reorganization (July/October 2005) Board approval of staff formation plan (September 2005)  New job descriptions  Increase of staff in 2006/2007 of 18 fte’s (35 fte’s  53 fte’s) (opening Xplora’s in 2006 and 2007) Training program for all staff (November 2005-today)

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Training programme Training programma library school: wiki’s, weblogs, vodcast/podcast, google-scholar/printing, digital collection development, search engines, digital rights management, project management etc.) advisory skills educational knowledge culture shift from control-directed to student-directed, result- oriented and customer-directed E-learning Advisory skills and negotiating techniques Broader knowledge of the learning environment English Web

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Near Future Because of new services a further improvements of the Xplora’s buildings Expansion Xplora Den Bosch New “Engineering” Xplora in Breda

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Conclusions (1): Student surveys :  responses/year Primary use for group work and pc- applications High occupancy rate Environment described as attractive and inviting Service level judged as high High demand of teacher presence Wish for more PCs and more outlets Wish for more workspaces for quiet study

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Conclusion (2): Library merged into Learning and Innovation Centre Mutual benefit: “Library staff” have more appreciation for educational processes Educational officers have improved understanding of the relationship between information and knowledge

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Conclusion (3): General Xplora is widely known even outside the professional field Xplora is a highly successful concept (1,4 million visitors in 2009) Staff involvement and training important Continuous improvement Student population increases from to students since opening new buildings in 2006

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Observation 1 Facilities and buildings should be designed based on the chosen policy of learning and teaching

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Observation 2 “Learning and understanding” does happen (or not) in the student’s head The university’s task is to actively stimulate this process The traditional way of whole class teaching is only one out of many ways to make this happen

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Observation 3 Does the teaching-concept change?  change facilities accordingly! Does the teaching-concept change fundamentally?  change the ‘experience’ by changing the facilities in an architectural striking way!

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Observation 4 But do not copy other universities’ successful choices blindly: your students may have different needs because their situation is different

Learning and Innovation Centre LEARNING CENTRES : VERS UN MODELE A LA FRANCAISE ? 7 december 2010 Further Information: Ellen Simons Video “Xplora, Discover it yourself”: DNT/play?format_id=6pyORf6BDHfvNVuLSXWGI4Cj&mode=u rl Article : The New Learning Environment: Impact on Staff and Students / Ellen Simons Liber Quarterly, october