In this era of scaled-down budgets, maximized efficiencies, new learning methods and social media’s domination of face time, college and university campuses are gravitating toward a new space type: the learning commons.
A hybrid of a library and a student union, a learning commons is a collaborative, interactive space in which students can gather to study in groups. Rather than perpetuating a separate cloistered-in-a-carrel approach to studying, the learning commons encourages groups of students to gather, usually around monitors or conversationally arranged furniture, for face time and collaboration.
This is especially true for the smaller liberal arts institutions striving to keep the education process as personalized as possible. In addition to contributing to improved learning, these spaces address a broader cultural issue: students are socially connected in physical isolation. A learning commons can entice students out of their dorm rooms and into an environment in which relationships can be formed.
Two converging trends are basically responsible for the establishment of the new type of study space.
First is the desire of the higher education institutions to attract students. The commons should be inviting, comfortable and have digitally connected spaces with convenient availability of food. It should be seen as a fun way to study in aesthetically pleasing surroundings.
Northwest Nazarene University’s Learning Commons will include student support with academic advisors, testing services, tutors and socialization areas with a café and a variety of collaborative work spaces.
With a goal of student retention and graduation, the second trend is toward providing students with academic, emotional, development and vocational support in the Center for Leadership, Calling, and Service. These efforts are sustained through Trevecca’s version of a learning commons (student success center) that houses tutoring and writing assistance, disability services, developmental math, testing services, counseling services and developmental resources, such as the freshman, sophomore and junior/senior year experiences. There is a strong emphasis on vocation, mentorship and self-discipline through these endeavors.
Supporting the retention goal is an ongoing emphasis on team projects and other assignments that use increased collaboration. Collaboration is, of course, an accepted way of learning and working in the education profession.
ESa advocates that a successful learning commons have ten characteristics:
• Flexible area with movable, soft furniture that can interface with technology so that students can create their own spaces
• Open area that is inviting to students
• Available food, preferably café style with coffees, juices, sodas, light snacks or sandwiches
• Late hours
• Available marker boards for brainstorming
• Help desk
• Private, acoustically separate spaces for tutoring and counseling
• Outdoor space with patios or verandas
• Available seminar rooms/study rooms
• Ample, available power for recharging mobile devices
Establishing a learning commons on a campus can be done through new construction, renovation of an area or designating a portion of an existing space. Cumberland University’s Learning Commons was created with a limited budget through renovation of a former residence hall. The Commons consists of large indoor and outdoor study areas, double-height study lounge, snack bar, 10 seminar/study rooms, six offices and a mock interview suite—including an observation room with filming capabilities. The latter space is invaluable as counselors work with students preparing them for the workforce.
Cumberland University’s Learning Commons
On the other hand, Northwest Nazarene University’s Learning Commons is part of the Riley Library. This facility is scheduled for completion the third quarter of 2014. NNU’s program will include student support with academic advisors, testing services, tutors and socialization areas with a café and a variety of collaborative work spaces.
Support for faculty will be available in the form of multimedia studios for developing course content, as well as resources made available through the Center of Innovation for Teaching and Learning. Library services will include a centralized information desk and a lending desk for library and tech support materials. An IT (hardware and software) support desk will also serve the library and learning commons.
During this digital age, learning commons are an avenue for colleges and universities to get back to basics. No student can be an island for a full higher education experience, and the learning commons enhances education by providing space for collaborative means as well as individual discovery to achieve a more complete experience.
About the Author
Wendell D. Brown, AIA, LEED AP, is a Design Architect/Project Manager with Earl Swensson Associates, Inc.
Related Stories
Market Data | Dec 15, 2015
AIA: Architecture Billings Index hits another bump
Business conditions show continued strength in South and West regions.
Architects | Dec 14, 2015
New LEGO line lets builders construct iconic skylines
New York City, Berlin, and Venice are featured in the Architecture Skyline Collection.
Architects | Dec 14, 2015
Date named for announcement of 2016 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize
The Laureate will be named the morning of January 13.
Architects | Dec 9, 2015
Architecture firms Cooper Carry and The Johnson Studio merge
The combination is expected to bolster each firm’s hospitality-related services.
Industry Research | Dec 8, 2015
AEC leaders say the 'talent wars' are heating up: BD+C exclusive survey
A new survey from Building Design+Construction shows that U.S. architecture, engineering, and construction firms are being stymied by the shortage of experienced design and construction professionals and project managers.
Architects | Dec 4, 2015
Denise Scott Brown and Robert Venturi win 2016 AIA Gold Medal Award
The husband and wife architect team—founders of VSBA Architects and Planners—are the award's first joint winners.
Architects | Dec 3, 2015
LMN Architects wins 2016 AIA Architecture Firm Award
The firm is known for projects like Vancouver Convention Centre West and the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business.
Greenbuild Report | Dec 1, 2015
Data centers turn to alternative power sources, new heat controls and UPS systems
Data centers account for 2% of the nation’s electricity consumption and about 30% of the power used annually by the economy’s information and communications technology sector, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Greenbuild Report | Nov 30, 2015
10 megatrends shaping the future of green building
Increased competition among green building rating systems, the rise of net-zero buildings, and a sharper focus on existing structures are among the trends that will drive sustainability through 2020, according to author and green building expert Jerry Yudelson.
Contractors | Nov 24, 2015
FMI survey: Millennials in construction get a bad rap, tend to be loyal, hard-working
While the stigma exists that Millennials are entitled, disloyal, and lazy, it appears that this is not true, according to a new report from FMI.