Learning Spaces Pedagogic Research Group

www.newport.ac.uk

About UsPhysical and virtual space can have a significant impact on the quality of learning and teaching. The Learning Spaces Pedagogic Research Group has been established to encourage cross-disciplinary reflection on the ways in which the environment can shape the student experience. The group is committed to applied research and has recently developed a partnership with IBI THiNK at IBI Nightingale architects to strengthen the link between research and practice.

Well designed, flexible and agile spaces are essential for individual, small group and large group activities. Environmental psychology literature highlights how physical settings, including the colour of walls, levels of natural light and temperature can motivate or even disempower students and staff.

Given the centrality of constructivist approaches to teaching and learning, our pedagogic research group seeks to reflect upon whether the physical environment is fit for purpose and the scope for small low cost changes that can have high impact on the learning and teaching experience. The pedagogic research group welcomes participants from academic schools through to estates and learning support to join the debate.

Inaugural Learning Spaces EventKen Giannini who created the interior of Google’s 123 Buckingham Palace Road office in London - complete with beach huts for meeting rooms, original dodgem cars and traditional red telephone booths as work spaces available to staff and visitors has given his backing for Newport University’s new Graduate School at the inaugural seminar of the Learning Spaces Pedagogic Research Group.

Ken Giannini, Interior Design Director at Scott Brownrigg who completed the Google project two years ago was at the University to discuss how bold and innovative design, already a growing movement in the workplace, could also be of benefit to learning environments. He visited the University’s new Caerleon Campus Graduate School, and recognised that the area has itself been created in a bold and innovative style with clever and inspiring use of space.

Speaking at the learning spaces seminar, Ken Giannini said: “It was a pleasure to meet with the leaders of the Graduate School learning spaces project and to see the work that has already been implemented together with their future plans. My talk on ‘Blurring the Boundaries’ has a direct relevance to what they are trying to achieve. I believe the design of learning environments is heavily influenced by current design ideas

being developed in the world of workplace, hospitality and even residential, with each sector influenced by the others.”

“The new Graduate School environment has the look and feel of a business lounge, which of course has its roots in the Hotel and Airport sectors. I hope that the presentation of Scott Brownrigg’s Google project provided some inspiring ideas for new types of work settings, and illustrated how these can be fun and practical at the same time.”

Group Members:Dr Bela Arora – Chair of the Learning Spaces Pedagogic Research GroupBela has a PhD specialising in nuclear arms control and has engaged in lecturing, research and consultancy at universities including Warwick, Cardiff and Birmingham. She joined the University of Wales Newport in 2010 as the Associate Director of the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching. She is now the Graduate School Manager overseeing the postgraduate research experience and leading the Learning Spaces Pedagogic Research Group. In 2012 she secured funding from the Strategic Insight Programme to engage in a collaboration with IBI Nightingale and build a meaningful link between research and practice.

Molly OwensMolly is an award-winning writer, creative director, art director and designer, with more than 20 years professional experience in the advertising and creative industries. She joined the faculty at the university in 2008 after working in the United States for several high-profi le agencies as an art/creative director. She retains active engagement with the creative industries in both Britain and the US as a consultant, and additionally has had numerous industry placements in the past two years with agencies and new media companies.

Martin EdwardsMartin Edwards is a librarian and works at the University of Wales, Newport. He is interested in how learners interact with physical and virtual spaces, along with also the provision of social zones. Currently, he is looking into customer fl ow and the relationship people have with undefi ned spaces, and this will be a major part of the work he is undertaking currently at the Riverfront Arts Centre, Newport as part of the Strategic Insight Programme

David LongmanDavid is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education and Social Sciences. He has a keen interest in digital scholarship and digitally enhanced learning. David was previously a Research Fellow at the Centre of Excellence in Learning and Teaching. He has been the recipient of fi ve learning and teaching grants and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

The Learning Spaces Pedagogic Research Group off ers a wide range of expertise relating to innovative learning space design. If you are interested in engaging with the group on collaborative research or consultancy, please do not hesitate to contact the Chair by emailing: bela.arora@newport.ac.uk

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