A learning process

A collaborative approach by Wilson Architects and Queensland University user groups one of the most advanced learning spaces in the Southern Hemisphere has opened at the university’s St Lucia campus.

The Collaborative Learning Centre (CLC) recognises that learning does not just take place in the classroom with the two level building extending learning as a total concept through formal and informal spaces using the latest teaching technologies.

“In days gone back buildings often appeared after the designs had been dreamt up by architects and user groups provided subsquent feedback that this or that aspect didn’t work,” says Denise Chalmers, director Teaching and Education Development Institute (TEDI). “In this case there has been a true collaboration between Wilson Architects and user groups including the teaching and learning space committee, academic faculty, students, TEDI, our information technology services staff, property and facilities division who were the project managers and student and academic services to design the most useful concept from scratch.”

A study will be conducted to capture the process of how the CLC was built and how people are working together to use the cedntre.

The CLC concept includes comfortable chairs, data projectors which can be used individually by students or in a group fashion by teachers, study pods, flexible furniture arrangements, videoconferencing and touch screen kiosks and display areas for students.

The centre has been equipped with more than $2m in audio-visual teaching equipment and consists of a series of spaces not just a room full of computers. Room has been allocated for group work, teaching, photocopying, printing and social areas for all students. There are hybrid areas where computers could be placed around the perimeter of the room but also tables in the middle where groups can come back together for discussion.

Thoughtful touches include separate storage areas for backpacks, which means students no longer have to leave them at their feet during learning sessions. Bright colours and textures have been used to define areas.

Source: Building Products News.