The Evaluation of Informal Learning Spaces in a University

Abstract

This study, situated in a university that underwent a transformation of learning spaces, examines students’ use of informal learning spaces with different levels of intentional design to determine what factors influence the way the students use them. Using factor analysis, a 10-item survey on how spaces are perceived and experienced by students loaded into three factors: comfort (5 items), convenience (3 items) and community (2 items). Comfort refers to (a) the way furniture is configured, (b) quality of air circulation, (c) lighting, (d) cleanliness and (e) facilities. Convenience refers to (a) proximity of the learning space to classes, (b) ability to consume food and drinks and (c) ability to use the space for discussions or group work. Community is defined as spaces that (a) provide “privacy” and (b) spaces where the student usually frequents for a particular activity. The findings suggest that intentional design that takes account of all these factors and that takes into consideration how students might move from formal to informal will gain students’ preferences, but during the time when classes are held. This study showed that not all factors we detected as those that students see as influencing their choice of informal learning space need to be present under all circumstances.