Guidelines for Learning Space Design

Learning Space Design: principles and guidelines

These Principles and Guidelines were adopted by the Learning and Teaching Spaces Committee in August 2009. They were developed in the ALTC The Next Generation Learning Spaces Colloquium, October 2008.

Principles for Learning Space Design 1. Design space for multiple uses concurrently and consecutively 2. Design to maximise the inherent flexibility within each space 3. Design to make use of the vertical dimension in facilities 4. Design to integrate previously discrete campus functions 5. Design features and functions to maximise teacher and student control 6. Design to maximise alignment of different curricula activities 7. Design to maximise student access to, and use and ownership of, the learning environment Guidelines for Learning Space Design

 Pedagogy drives design. Space planning has to be a collaboration between space planners and teachers (and teachers may be able to review their teaching methods)  Share the vision – articulate the pedagogical intent of a new learning space  Teachers need to drive the space and innovations and take joint ownership of the space  Involve students when planning and evaluating spaces  The space declares the use of the space  Space needs to evolve – don’t overthink or overdesign  A governance framework is required  Constant evaluation of teaching, space and technology is needed