learning spaces: Teesside University Library

Liz Jolly,

Dr Anne Llewellyn

Richard Sober

Background

This case study explores an action research project to design and deliver refurbished learning spaces in the library at Teesside University, exploring the importance of learning space design for student engagement and learning. Students have increased choices about where and when they work and will therefore choose to work in spaces that they like. A study by Beckers et al (2016) into the learning space choices of higher education students found that students mainly conduct individual learning activities at home because of the opportunity to control their personal environment regarding concentration and comfort and to combine learning with other activities, such as listening to music. For learning with others they mainly used learning spaces in open areas, corridors, hallways, atria and lounges.

The design of learning spaces is increasingly being recognised as an important factor that motivates students and engages them in their learning and development (Hyun Cha and Wan Kim, 2015). It is therefore important to work in partnership with students in the design of institutional learning spaces, making them attractive places to work.

In 2012 the university executive team at Teesside University mandated a programme of library refurbishment, reflecting the vision of the Director of Library and Information Services to develop the library as a space for diverse student learning needs, moving away from traditional service-led drivers for space design (Bennett, 2005 and 2015; Lippincott, 2006). The Director of Library and Information Services led the project, which involved wide and diverse representation of all key stakeholders, including students, staff with academic roles and staff from estates. Radcliffe’s (2008) model of learning, which integrates space, pedagogy and technology, underpinned the design.

The project was established to create effective spaces for learning rather than traditional model of library as a repository for resources. The library was not seen as an effective space for learning as it lacked natural light, had cramped learning spaces and the design led to a poor student experience, with multiple points of contact for enquiries.

Figure 1: Front of the library, showing no natural light at the corners of the building

Figure 2: Spaces in the library pre-refurbishment

The project also involved partnership working with external architectural and design partners and key stakeholders within the university, reflecting the context of this project within the strategic vision of university policies to enhance the holistic student experience.

A phased programme of refurbishment was initiated, starting with the ground floor in 2012 and culminating in the completed refurbishment of floors two and three in September 2017. This was to minimise the disruption to student learning as well as working within budgetary constraints. The ground floor phase was seen as a proof of concept to demonstrate the effectiveness of a student-centred approach to design and to evaluate the use of this space before further investment was agreed.

Figure 3: The refurbished entrance, demonstrating the single point of contact to manage student enquiries more effectively

The aim of the refurbishment was to develop the library as an on-campus space at the heart of the campus, which is a focus for learning, research, academic collaboration and contemplation. The concept of the library as a space for 21^st century learning that drives and enhances the student experience was based on three core themes: a technology-rich environment; flexible layouts to accommodate different ways of working (Rex, 2014);

and ambient and visually impressive spaces that motivate and enhance learning. Traditional learning spaces have become less relevant as pedagogies have changed (Dugdale, 2009). To reflect this, the refurbished library now provides a range of spaces for heutagogical (student constructed learning) and paragogical learning (peer learning) as well as quiet and silent spaces for individual learning.

Approach

Action research was used as a methodological approach to design and evaluate the first, second and third floor refurbished spaces. Action research is a cyclical process of collaborative inquiry that provides a framework that emphasises both actions in practice and researches those actions. As such, it is often used within educational practice to explore pedagogical changes. The use of action research enabled multiple perspectives to be incorporated within the cycles of action and research activity to inform the iterative process of phased design.

Within this project, there were two action phases and two research phases:

Figure 4: Diagrammatic representation of action research process

Throughout the action research phases we worked in partnership with students, involving them in a number of ways in the design and evaluation phases of the project in order to create student-centred learning spaces.

Representatives from the student body sat on the project board throughout the duration of the refurbishment and evaluation. In the first action phase to design the first floor, student researchers were used to capture the student body’s views about what constitutes a good learning space. In interviews with student participants, the student researchers used photographs to stimulate discussion about the use of spaces for learning. This informed the design of the first floor of the library.

In the second action phase, students were involved through design focus groups and as core members of the project team. We also worked in partnership with students in the evaluation of the learning spaces during both research phases of the action research project.

Mixed methods analysis was used to explore how the spaces are used, using both quantitative and qualitative methods, broadly based on the JELS conceptual framework for evaluating learning space design (Pearshouse et al, 2009). In the first research phase, first impressions data was collected by students and library staff and showed an overwhelmingly positive view of the refurbishment. Quantitative data was obtained through headcount data and observations and qualitative data was obtained through a small sample of students completing reflective narratives about how they used the spaces for learning over a one week period.

In the second evaluation phase, we duplicated the mixed methods analysis, using first impressions data, headcount data to establish usage patterns and a student-led research project, conducting focus groups with samples of students, in order to capture a wider view of how the spaces were used for different types of learning.

Outcomes

The feedback on the refurbished space has been very positive. The space has enabled students to learn effectively and flexibly and reimagine the way that they use spaces for learning. The findings are presented to reflect the three core themes that underpinned the design.