Start date: 1 August 2008
End date: 28 February 2009
Project website:
http://www.lsri.nottingham.ac.uk/jels
JISC theme(s): e-Learning
Committees: JISC Learning and Teaching committee
Overview
This project is intended to inform the future design of learning spaces for higher education. It will create an annotated directory of the methods and tools currently used to evaluate the contribution technology-supported physical learning spaces make to learning and teaching. It will consider teaching and learning in newly-designed contexts, both formal and informal, looking at the interaction of four elements: learning/learners, teaching/teachers, space and technology.
Aims and objectives
The project aims to review the methods and tools currently used to evaluate the contribution technology-supported physical learning spaces make to learning and teaching.
The objectives are:
- To identify ‘good practice’ in the evaluation of physical learning space,
- To identify tools, models and data sources that can be used to monitor learning activities, to inform the development of new spaces and help improve the layout and operation of existing spaces, thus enabling development of baseline information to inform the design of new projects,
- To identify aspects (and examples) of space configuration, and of elements within a space, that contribute to effective learning by individuals and groups.
Project methodology
Two workshops with will be conducted in newly-designed physical spaces using a range of technology tools.
The project also involves desk research including a literature search and telephone interviews with specialists on the team. These will be collated into the annotated directory.
Key criteria for ‘good practice’ will be the extent to which the tools and methods used have provided answers to the evaluation questions posed in each example, and how the evaluation findings have informed institutional decision-making and the wider community. The project will identify the nature and extent of useful ‘baseline data’.
Anticipated outputs and outcomes
1. Annotated directory of evaluation tools and practices
2. Development of new approaches and awareness across institutions through the workshops
3. Final report including an outline of project activities and their contribution to the field.