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Innovative Learning Spaces Around the Globe

Click on the thumbnails for more information:

Flexible/Innovative Learning Space

The first 'Learning Common' on the Bathurst Campus of Charles Sturt University (Australia) was introduced to encourage student interaction and collaboration in a flexible and relaxed atmosphere. The computers and casual seating are mixed to create an environment suitable for the modern day student. For more information visit: 
http://www.csu.edu.au/division/library/commons/ 

Photograph Brian Roberson, CSU.
MWRC Learning Space at Chicago University (USA). These learning spaces have great looking, flexible furniture on wheels, that can easily be turned into collaborative pods when needed. 

For photograph reference visit: 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyprien/with/6974856/ 
MWRC Learning Space at Chicago University (USA). This flexible furniture on wheels can be converted from rows, into pods and also into a boardroom table. 

For photographic reference visit: 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyprien/with/6974856/
MWRC Learning Space at Chicago University (USA). This great looking flexible furniture can easily be turned into a board meeting style set up. 

For photographic reference visit: 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyprien/with/6974856/
A non-traditional classroom set up at Emory University (USA). The tables can be moved easily and the two white boards make the orientation flexible.

Photograph Carol Meyers, Emory.  For more information visit Emory Photo stream for more examples: 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26158417@N00/199582981/
This small learning space is at Robert Woodruff Library, Emory University (USA). The space is small and intimate but has flexibility with tables on wheels, a lounge bench and separate chairs to have it set up for many purposes. 

Photograph Carol Meyers, Emory. For more examples visit Emory Universities photo stream: 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26158417@N00/199569595/
The innovative classrooms at Emory University, Atlanta (USA) aim to have a more casual feel.  They have introduced using lounges instead of the traditional tables and chairs.  This allows them to have a more informal feel and students can also easily collaborate in small groups.

Photograph Carol Meyers, Emory. For more examples visit the Emory Classroom photo stream at: 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26158417@N00/
Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus (Australia) has created a Learning Centre in each building. These Collaborative booths give students the opportunity to work in private groups. 

Photograph Anne Mitchell, University of Wollongong.
Macquarie University (Australia) is currently (2006/7) running an innovative learning space project (LED) to see the impact on students learning when taught in an innovative learning space. The trial space allows for many different set-ups and has various types of technical equipment available. For more details and photographic references visit: 
http://www.cfl.mq.edu.au/led/ledroom.htm

Photograph provided by Macquarie University.
This student space at the Forest Science Centre at the University of British Columbia (Canada) aims at providing a social space for learning. All furniture is on wheels so students can configure the space as they need. 

For more information and photograph references visit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyprien/23652421/
The 'Learning Lab' at the University of Melbourne’s School of Chemistry (Australia) is a great example of embracing new approaches to teaching Chemistry. It allows the students to work collaboratively and have a hands-on experience. The design was inspired by MIT’s Teal Project. To view a VR of the site visit:
http://axel.infodiv.unimelb.edu.au/chem_qtvr/qtvr02.html

Photograph provided by the University of Melbourne.  Photograph Peter Casamento.
This is the University of Queensland's First Year Engineering Learning Centre at the St Lucia Campus. The centre was set up to give the first year students a space to informally meet, collaborate and basically enjoy their transition period. There are different types of seating within the space.  Here is the high benches and low ‘funky’ lounge seating similar to the Qantas lounge. Only first year Engineering students are allowed to use the space by swipe card access. 

Photograph Toni Southwell, University of Wollongong. This room at the University of San Diego (USA) has combined lounge chairs and regular seating in a video conference environment. It is a relaxed, informal learning environment.

For more information and photograph references visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyprien/93819043/
The Graphic Design Studio at the University of Wollongong (Australia) was designed to provide the students with a professional, flexible space. To see the case study notes see room 25.163 in the UOW section of this site. 

Photograph Toni Southwell, University of Wollongong. The Journalism News Room at the University of Wollongong (Australia) was designed to provide the students with a real world experience. This space enables the students to work in an editors hub, on a news desk, informally in a lounge area or collaboratively on a boardroom table. For more information see room 25.160 in the UOW section of this database.

Photograph Toni Southwell, University of Wollongong.

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Note: Banner image of the ‘Teal Project’ provided by MIT with permission from MDS/Miller Dyer Spears. Photograph John Horner.

 
 
 

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