Creating student spaces

Creating student spacesEric Pawson with Nick Brunsdon and Fiona Thomas

The BriefTo provide a student perspective on provision of informal student spaces on campus (inside, outside, virtual)

Spaces for learning, interacting and socialising, not for teaching

Complete an evidence-based review and a set of guidelines about what makes good student space

Evidence from elsewhereStudent success derives from enriching educational experiences and supportive campus environments (George Kuhs studies of student engagement and campus conditions)

Sticky campuses (Woods Bagot, UTS Sydney Building 5)

Australian Learning Teaching Council: Retrofitting learning spaces ( report online)

AUTs new WG Precinct (on AUT website)

How not to do it

A definition of student spacestudent spaces on campus need to provide factors and facilities that are unavailable to students elsewhere, especially at home, and need to be comfortable, easily accessible, well managed and diverse, in both function and set up

U SydneyThemesDerived from in-depth discussion and walkabouts with small focus groups

1 comfort/environment2 function3 amenities4 management/operation1 Comfort/environmentLack of suitable spaces at homeWarm and comfortable, sun and lightNoise: both quiet and interactive spaces appreciatedColour: warm and light, not dull or very brightOutdoor provision encourages stickiness

AUT2 FunctionA range of different types of spaces to encourage staying on campusFunctions include study, socialising, discussion after classSubject specific spaces as well as all-uni spacesVirtual space: Learn!

AUT3 AmenitiesPower points, proper wifi coverage and laptop workstations

Flexible furniture of good quality

Self service food areas: microwaves, hot water

Queensland U Technology4 Management/operationsChanges in managing facilities can be as important as new facilities: eg student space in KirkwoodKirkwood after hours: toilet access, food, heatingDeveloping protocols based on trust for use of spaces

U MelbourneCase studiesC Lecture block: light and open mezzanine floor with locked kitchen. Unused as lacking furniture and power pointsUndercroft: greatly appreciated. Users would like it left alone instead of regularly appropriated for lectures and showsKirkwood: needs an allocated pod of student specific spaces: accessible, heated, with kitchen, toilet and computer facilities, for study and socialising

ConclusionThere is an active link between student engagement and attractive student spacesMuch can be done that is simple and low cost, providing it is well thought out and attractiveStudents treat good facilities well; they need to be involved in negotiating protocols based on trustThere is an abundance of ideas and experience elsewhere