Priority Tasks for the Learning Spaces Initiative

• Educate group on current research and best practices related to learning spaces in a college environment.
• Assess the current state of those learning spaces; gather feedback from faculty and students.  Review all attributes of the space that are known to affect learning:
  • Is the furniture flexible to support different styles of teaching and learning?
  • Is the lighting sufficient and has dual controls for different uses of space?
  • Acoustics and sound amplifications
  • Seating and ergonomics
  • Room orientation
  • Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
  • Networking, computers, projection devices and telephones
  • Do instructors need whiteboards or chalkboards, and how many?
  • Is there natural light through windows and how is it controlled?
  • Are there windows onto the corridor? How are distractions from passers-by prevented?
  • Painting and carpeting
• Determine long term strategies and principles of good design for learning spaces and promote standards for classrooms and other learning spaces.
• Define roles and responsibilities for classroom management (e.g. erasing board, providing chalk/markers, rearranging furniture, etc).
• Assess enhancements to learning spaces, prioritize, and make recommendations to the VP of Academic Affairs.
• Increase awareness among faculty and students of the ways in which learning spaces can be used and improved.
• Coordinate renovations or improvements when funding become available.
• Coordinate with other college committees as appropriate (e.g. Academic Technology Advisory Committee—ATAC)