This morning was the first fall semester meeting of the Informal Group on Learning Spaces. We had a great turnout with 21 folks representing all parts of campus there, and some new faces. We shared updates on the Student Collaboration Space Pilot Project, Lincoln Hall Renovation, DKH renovation, Residence Hall changes in their libraries, Engineering’s Virtualization pilot and CARE (Center for Academic Resources in Engineering) project, Lab managers group, and the fall theme for the Teaching Academies (impact of spaces and technology on teaching practices). We are finalizing topics for our next 4 meetings, but some suggestions at today’s meeting were: Presentation and demo on library collaboration space with Steelcase, demo and presentation from AllSteel, tour of BIF, tour of EWS and CARE (computer labs), late November review of projects to start preparing for spring action. The topics for the rest of the Fall meetings will be announced by September 22, our next informal group meeting.
One theme that stuck with me from our meeting this morning is how important it is to have students and faculty engaged in the process of designing learning spaces. The day before this meeting, EDUCAUSE released a paper from Texas Wesleyan University that describes the process and outcome of a faculty and student designed learning space. I shared this with the group, and subsequently have seen many other media sharing this story. As we strive to fulfill this desire of engagement from our faculty and students, it is inspiring to read about the successes that are possible. In that spirit, I’d like to share some reading (and listening!) sources that have crossed my network recently.
And a blog that every person involved with teaching and learning at our school should read is by an undergraduate student doing pre-service work to become a secondary education math and science teacher. Her post, “I am a 21st Century Learner”, was tweeted to @EdTechForum with the question, “Why can’t I act like one?”. Good question, Julie, good question.