division of technology, information and learning support cricos no.00213j dr geoff mitchell &...

Division of Technology, Information and Learning Support

CRICOS No.00213J

Dr Geoff Mitchell & Cathy Crawford

Blending the Physical and the Virtual:Making Collaborative Spaces Work in Law libraries

Division of Technology, Information and Learning Support

CRICOS No.00213J

Emerging Literature

Division of Technology, Information and Learning Support

CRICOS No.00213J

• Space design has become the new frontier of innovation envisaging multifunction spaces and fused use facilities that will be used to retrofit existing space (Milne, 2007)

• Pedagogy moving from static content delivery to active learning approaches.

• Technology encourages and supports interaction allowing deeper learning based on collaboration and reflection

• Numerous trial within Australia exploring space, pedagogy, and technology nexus (Carrick, 2007)

Division of Technology, Information and Learning Support

CRICOS No.00213J

Clayton Utz Law Library redevelopment 2007/8

• Designed to support both individual and group work

• Intension to align – Pedagogy (as evidenced in the University curricula)– Space (as designed into the physical elements)– Technology ( as supported by hardware and software)

Division of Technology, Information and Learning Support

CRICOS No.00213J

Law School review identified

• Scaffolding to support teamwork

Be a cooperative and productive team member or leader

Work cooperatively and collaboratively in a team environment

Work collaboratively and cooperatively as a member of a team and undertake an assessment task

Division of Technology, Information and Learning Support

CRICOS No.00213J

Range of spaces for students to work both individually and in groups

Division of Technology, Information and Learning Support

CRICOS No.00213J

Major innovation was a range of small meeting rooms to support collaboration

•

Division of Technology, Information and Learning Support

CRICOS No.00213J

Analysing the Effectiveness of the New Spaces

• Surveys – Student experience– Analysis of system logs– Both closed and open surveys

• Observations– Collection of artefacts

Division of Technology, Information and Learning Support

CRICOS No.00213J

Findings

• Usage stats found that the collaborative spaces appealed to all age groups

– 70% of the users were less than 24 years old– 67% of student population less than 24 year old

– 21% of users were 30 years or older– 20% of student population were 30 years of older

– Negated an argument that collaborative spaces appeal more to younger generations of students.

Division of Technology, Information and Learning Support

CRICOS No.00213J

Findings (General comments)

• “the law library is totally awesome”

• “The new open space is very pro-teamwork”

• “Great for group work”

Division of Technology, Information and Learning Support

CRICOS No.00213J

Findings (Support of Collaboration)

In terms of facilitating group work, 88% of respondents either agreed, or strongly agreed, with the view that the new spaces were suitable for group based learning activities. In terms of qualitative comments, 26% of all qualitative comments make special mention of the value of the space in terms of supporting group work:

• “Encourages students to work together, study together”

• “(It is clear that the) design intention is that it is a place where the students special needs have been considered”

Division of Technology, Information and Learning Support

CRICOS No.00213J

Findings (Technology

• “(The thing I like most is) the big plasma screens so everyone can see what we have put together”

• 83% of students utilise their own laptops in this space• 25% utilise the collaborative software installed (Teamspot)

• 12 % reported using Google Docs

• Also utilisation of Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and skype

Division of Technology, Information and Learning Support

CRICOS No.00213J

Conclusion

• Higher order thinking skills flourishes where there is an alignment between the physical and technological environment and the pedagogy.

Division of Technology, Information and Learning Support

CRICOS No.00213J

Questions