In what environment do students learn best? What group arrangements work best for collaborative learning? What are the student interactions when only one computer is provided for a group? We are trying to discover these questions from this unique classroom. Our challenge was to be creative in developing a new collaborative computerized learning environment, which students would gravitate to.
The multiple learning environments include:
Small Form factor computers are used in this area for space considerations. Large flat screen LCDs monitors are used for the whole group to be able to view together. This Project was a collaborative effort from the very beginning. Funding was shared by the Library, Technology Fee, & Leveraged Equipment Grants. Many innovative educational technologies are being put to the test within this creative design. This first of its kind classroom design allows students to be comfortable & casual, while they collaborate on their computerized group work. We found that students gravitate to the Cafe style booths, then the round tables, before even the sofa & chairs. We believe this may be because the higher backs Cafe booths give the feel of more privacy. Modern Language faculty have taken to this room. They like the variety of learning environments in such a comfortable casual area. This area received recognition as a Minnesota State Colleges & Universities Exemplary IT Project Award
In the process of increasing computing availability in the Library, is it possible to create both a collaborative environment for groups of students & also an individualized environment for the student to work comfortably & casually? This was the challenge for the paradigm shift of the Library. Bring more students into the Library by providing more computers, for individual or group work, in a casual area. Bring in comfortable, soft seating to encourage students to gather & share. Also, work around the impossible constraints of adding 86 computers around immovable pillars that support the building.
This innovative design created customized cloverleaf “PODS” that surround the pillars, allowing 8 computers per pod & potential of up to 16 people working around the pods simultaneously. High cafe tables allow for groups of 2-3 students to collaborate on work. Soft seating is provided by sofa & powered corner tables for groupings of up to 6 students in a very casual environment. The potential for a future coffee shop, will add to create a techno-coffee shop feel.
The Outcome: This area has been met with huge acceptance from the students. It is packed! Students are studying individually, in small groups on the computers, collaborating on the cafe height round tables & getting comfortable on the sofas with their laptops. Surprisingly, the soft seating sofas are the last to be filled, in this heavily utilized area. This success is demonstrating the need to further expand with more “PODS”.
