Collaborative Spaces: One Size Does Not Fit All
By Ed Finn, Executive Director, CITAL
Collaboration can happen almost anywhere; we see it all the time. Whether it is students sitting underneath a tree on a fall afternoon, or faculty members engaged in discussion at Grinders, the need to congregate and discuss big ideas is ever-present on a college campus. In this short article, we will talk about some spaces on campus that have been intentionally designed to serve the collaborative needs of students and faculty, as well as perhaps daydreaming on what else may be possible. This article will focus on three collaborative spaces, while recognizing that there are many more on campus.
Christopher Center Library Community Room
The Community Room was recently reimagined as part of the Serve 1: Student Centered Campus strategic planning initiative. Representatives from Student Life, Christopher Center Library, Facilities, IT, Finance, CITAL, and a student representative convened to examine the most effective use of the space and how it would better serve the needs of students. The result is more comfortable seating, increased power options, technology-enabled huddle stations for group collaborations, and welcoming photographs from around campus. Below are before and after pictures of the space (special thanks to Carrie Whittier).
Before
After
Microteaching Labs for Education
Wesemann Hall has just been extensively remodeled and is the new home to the Departments of Education, Social Work, and later on Psychology. As part of the remodel, microteaching labs were created to prepare teachers for the classroom. The labs are equipped with kidney-shaped tables and furniture to help replicate a real classroom. New technology will allow students to record and play back their teaching. This allows for a deeper level of self-reflection as well as peer feedback. Below are pictures of the completed labs (special thanks to Ben Boche).
Center for Innovation in Teaching, Assessment, and Learning (CITAL)
When CITAL was created, we already had a welcoming space for faculty to congregate informally; the Faculty Study in the Christopher Center Library hosts the Faculty Writing Circle, Faculty Learning Communities and other conversations. However, we were missing a place for professional development around technology, small group sessions, or one-on-one conversations around teaching and learning. With the recently completed renovation of Rooms 116/117 in Kretzmann Hall CITAL now has two huddle stations, flexible seating, and new whiteboards equipped with Rocketbook Beacons for group collaboration.
Please click on the image below for a slideshow showing the initial design, construction, and completion for the space (you can drag the slider to see before and after from different angles in the room).
As you can see, collaboration can occur in many different spaces, old and new. One size really does not fit all when it comes to learning, so how could it do so when it comes to locations where learning occurs? What are some of your favorite collaboration spots on campus? Are there others we should highlight? Please share them with us so we can help spread the word.