Arm in arm in arm: How learning spaces impact collaboration

Our idea exchange will present our stories about collaborative learning spaces and their impact on our combined Academic Resource Center and Writing Lab. At the same time, we look forward to gaining insight from the experiences of other AMICAL members for our future integrated Learning Commons in Paris.

Can collaboration among faculty, students, instructional technologists and librarians be facilitated and enhanced by physical spaces? What kinds of learning spaces bolster creative activity and encourage students to pursue academic success? How can we capitalize on proximity in order to promote social and informal learning, while addressing multiple teaching and learning styles?

Reflecting on the statement “classrooms are not the only learning spaces” (©2006 Educause), we will present some of our outside-the-classroom experiences from over 15 years of collaboration and why those led to the evolution of our programs and the redefinition of our spaces.

By sharing stories, we will explore how student success can be impacted by environment and how physical spaces can be deeply linked to learning.

Note: the title is inspired by the excellent children’s picture book, Arm in Arm: A Collection of Connections, Endless Tales, Reiterations, and Other Echolalia by Remy Charlip