Category: Designing Learning Spaces

Throughout this unit it has become clear to me that I have neglected to fully appreciate the impact that the learning space design can have on the learning. I have discovered many things about how I perceive learning space problems, and how my students or colleagues perceive them. I particularly enjoyed the redesigning of a…

I found the charrette process to be helpful and insightful. Working with a partner, whom assumed the role as a teacher, highlighted many different design flaws and triumphs that I had overlooked. These were some definite advantages and I intend to use this process again. In terms of disadvantages, I often found myself neglecting my own…

VAST Heuristic of Swamp

It is my opinion that the learning space, although initially designed with collaborative learning in mind, is not suited to its intended purpose. The closeness between the grouped seating arrangements ensures that noise levels rise as each group struggles to communicate effectively. Therefore, the sound carries from the ground level of the library to the…

Educational Context The location of my ‘swamp’ is a co-educational, boarding and day student, private school located within the inner suburbs of Brisbane. The pedagogical approach of the school is that of inquiry based, and collaborative learning. Learning Space The learning space is that of the secondary school library, specifically the ground floor. The layout of the…

Learning Space A values self-directed, or inquiry, learning. It is a 5 story building, with a clear progression of learning activities towards the upper levels. Although the lower levels of the space are designed for collaborative learning, it was clear that as I approached levels 4 and 5, the space had developed completely into a…

My ‘swamp’ is a large, two storied space; an overgrown, untidy maze in which learning treasures may be found if you look carefully among the junk. Furniture and desk space are afforded pride of place, whilst little thought of the valuable, tangible learning resources is given. Meeting spaces and comfy couches crowd the floor; a small shelving area houses…

As part of Designing Learning Spaces I was asked to evaluate a local library, identify the needs of the user, the positives and negatives of the space, and ways in which I had grown from the experience. These reflections will help to show my learning process throughout this unit. Included will be a reflection on…