Introduction – Part 2

Executive Summary

Link between Assignment 1 and Part 2:

The purpose of assignment one was to identify the key learning and teaching context that the current space had evolved from.  The learning space selected for review was the computer lab in KG 308 S-Block, within the context of a higher educational institution. This was necessary so that the current purpose and teaching strategies used within the space could be examined and reviewed.
       The review identified that the space provided little cultural context for any type of learner, and that the style of teaching (and pedagogical approach) remained traditional (i.e. teacher-centered). Also combined with outdated equipment, this situation provided minimal encouragement for learners to self-reflect or engage collaboratively. These types of key issues were the driving force for a need to revitalize the learning space and shift the teaching style to include student-centered and group learning.

The Digital and Room Landscape Problems: 

Spears-of-Poles

Contour of Space*

Steel blood red-poles fall from the ceiling to carry lines of communication and power, and pierce the tables below. The impalement ensures nothing can be moved. Your mobility must contort around the bodies of tables, which spread across the landscape.  Moreover, they block your view from friend or foe. 

Even if you are blessed with your own armour (i.e. laptop): you must sacrifice one of the fixed knights (i.e. pc), to drain its life-force (i.e. power-socket), to feed your army. While my Game of Thrones analogy may humor the situation, the reality is that the learning space was designed as an after-thought, and has reached its time in history. It is therefore essential that the aesthetics, quality, functionality and livability of the learning space be renewed, as there is evidence this is seen as a proxy for institutional respect (Keppell, Riddle, & Souter, 2011). This in turn, can relate to the learner's perceptions of the institutional interest, in their learning.

Technology Solution Brief:

Digital Pod

Technology and teaching styles have matured and now are intertwined. The new learning space utilizes the idea of technological mini-pod communities.  Each pod has innovated digital technology. They have digital access (pc or laptop), virtual connections to other pods, lecturers and the world. Also, some environment control (e.g. lightning) within their pod community.

 More importantly, the pod design facilitates greater teamwork and sociability within these mini-learning communities.  While the design is to shift teaching from teacher centered to student centered, the teacher does remain administrative control of the pod communities to ensure on-task learning direction.

Purpose of Proposal:

The purpose of the proposal is to engage the key stakeholders to both champion the idea of redesigning the learning space, and to provide justification for beginning the process of change. The structure of the proposal will focus the importance of developing a new learning space to facilitate the changing face of teaching. The integration of technology with learning, and how it is part of the pedagogy of student: satisfaction, learning and engagement.

The Chief-Stakeholders

As the learning space is within the university, the key stakeholder addressed by the proposal is the University Council, because of the range of members across administration, teaching, students and the wider community. Getting support from the council will also provide a working bridge to the subgroups within the university and general community, to support this project.

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References:

Keppell, M., Riddle, M., & Souter, K. (2012). Physical and virtual learning spaces in higher education: concepts for the modern learning environment. Hershey: PA, IGI Publishing.

Image References: 

Note: only graphic or photographs not created by me are referenced. Where I have used specialized editing tools or software, I have included information about the software, to assist other users how changes were achieved.

[The Chief Stakeholders]. Retrieved May 14th, 2015 from http://www.christiedigital.co.uk/img/Customer%20Stories/Brunel%20University/inpage/Brunel-University-Main-Image.jpg

Graphic Tools Used

1. [Contour of Space] was my picture modified using http://www.scrapee.net/en/photo-warp.htm.