The Perfect Space: Classroom Environments and Learning Outcomes Elizabeth Yates, Liaison/Scholarly Communication Librarian Justine Cotton, Liaison Librarian Elizabeth Yates, Liaison/Scholarly Communication Librarian Justine Cotton, Liaison Librarian

Is there a perfect space? What we heard…

*Flexible everything* Bright colours/windows 1+ Projector/whiteboard Possible bonus feature! “gin & tonic for the librarian post-workshop” Strong wifi Storage

The Perfect Space? 4 scaleup.ncsu.edu/wiki/pages/12m1C9c6/Massachusetts_Institute_of_Technology.html

The Survey:  Fall 2014  Librarians & library staff  In-person library instruction  Ontario college and university libraries  52 respondents  Fall 2014  Librarians & library staff  In-person library instruction  Ontario college and university libraries  52 respondents

About the respondents Landaff, Grafton County, New Hampshire. The Blue School teacher is a Massachusetts girl, new this year U.S. National Archives

Formal training in teaching?

Years of Experience in Teaching:

Years of Experience as Librarian/Library Staff:

Teaching landscapes School Classroom. Water J. Hussey Collection, Smithsonian Institution:

Number of teaching sessions

In a Library/Learning Commons classroom

In the instructor’s classroom

Another space on campus

Classroom preferences

Classroom preferences: themes

Familiarity Image: 'Catnap' 93 Found on flickrcc.netCatnapflickrcc.net

What we heard:  “ I like providing instruction on my own ‘turf’ where I can easily troubleshoot any technical or other issues.”  “ I know this environment best … in my house … I feel I have more control.”  “ I like providing instruction on my own ‘turf’ where I can easily troubleshoot any technical or other issues.”  “ I know this environment best … in my house … I feel I have more control.”

Technology + Active learning Image: laptop work by sqback

What we heard:  “more engagement and interaction; better understanding … self efficacy”  “students learn better that way”  “more authentic learning experience”  “more engagement and interaction; better understanding … self efficacy”  “students learn better that way”  “more authentic learning experience”

Classroom landscapes Tory Island outdoor classroom by David Baird CC-BY

Classroom landscapes: themes

Sensory conditions Noisy Hot Too dark or too bright

Physical conditions Poor sightlines Too small Little flexibility

Classroom spaces

Classroom furniture & equipment

A/V & software

Functional versus optimal  “We use a laptop that really should be a desktop computer in a proper instruction desk. It always seems to be not working properly and is very awkward to use because of the way it is set up. Conversely, there are enough computers to use, but they are often not working correctly either, so a good part of the time is often spent setting up students properly.”

Learning Outcomes & Assessment  Most (80.4%) respondents are using learning outcomes in library teaching  Interestingly, only about half (52%) of respondents ASSESS their library teaching  Most (80.4%) respondents are using learning outcomes in library teaching  Interestingly, only about half (52%) of respondents ASSESS their library teaching

Assessment – how?

Impact of Classroom Space & Instructional Design  Most respondents (76%) agree that the classroom space has an impact on instructional design  Themes that emerged:  Library classrooms foster hands-on, active learning  Lecture hall space = demo/discussion  Most respondents (76%) agree that the classroom space has an impact on instructional design  Themes that emerged:  Library classrooms foster hands-on, active learning  Lecture hall space = demo/discussion

Classroom Features that affect student learning outcomes:

“As to noise, lighting and temperature - you cannot learn if you are uncomfortable - it is hard to concentrate.”

“any tech issues (esp. wifi) really impede the learning, as students become more focused on trying to troubleshoot.”

Teaching Space – Where do you feel most confident? All of the above/ confident in any space

Why?  Familiarity with the space and technology  Important to get students in the Library  Ability to incorporate active learning  Familiarity with the space and technology  Important to get students in the Library  Ability to incorporate active learning vs. outside Library:  Regular classroom = easier for the students  Neutral territory

Teaching Space – Where do you feel most anxious?

Anxiety:  “I feel responsible if something doesn't work well since it is considered as "my space".”

What does this mean for classroom design?  Incorporate flexibility in design  Ensure reliable & strong technology  Consider physical & sensory issues  Incorporate flexibility in design  Ensure reliable & strong technology  Consider physical & sensory issues 39

What does this mean for instruction?  Library classrooms = lower anxiety for library instructors  Library classrooms offer more opportunity for active learning & group work = better learning outcomes?  Library classrooms = lower anxiety for library instructors  Library classrooms offer more opportunity for active learning & group work = better learning outcomes?

Your thoughts on the perfect space?