Learning Space Design and Research Bulletins

This research bulletin surveys the chief components of contemporary multimedia services in colleges and universities and describes some emerging practices for deploying and sustaining them in an increasingly digital and user-centered world. It includes a review of recent experiences in three smaller and two larger institutions. As audio, video, and instructional technologies converge, and as faculty and student expectations for these resources escalate, multimedia services are emerging as the next major arena in which technology and other campus leaders will find their way to standard practices that leverage these strategic assets for institutional success.

Several years ago, Colorado College embarked on an ambitious collaborative venture to create a new, experimental Learning Commons space in its library. The collaboration also spawned a group that provides Integrated Learning Support Services (ILSS) to the campus, benefiting faculty and students. The Learning Commons and ILSS group are serving as a test bed and a brain trust for ongoing design work for a new library. This research bulletin describes the process and product of building The Learning Commons, the successes and challenges of collaboration, and quantitative and qualitative benefits of the work for the campus community.

This research bulletin describes how a group of individuals at the University of Kansas worked to design and implement a collaborative learning environment for students, based on theoretical and empirical research along with basic common sense. It discusses the many lessons learned throughout the process and provides recommendations for institutions that are about to embark on a similar voyage.

This research bulletin describes the active, visual, collaborative learning processes that an increasing number of university and college students prefer, and it outlines strategies for designing classrooms, libraries, and informal learning spaces that respond to those preferences.