Student social connectedness is indicated to be changing with the increasing digitalisation of universities. This narrative literature review aims to bring new meanings to the hybrid university learning environment (HULE), and to develop a framework for the benefit of student social connectedness by using placemaking theories. It searches through the academic literature for evidence of experience with three attributes of social connectedness: socialising, social support, and sense of belonging, in relation to individuals’ sense of place, bringing a range of outcomes, such as identity development, which might contribute to improved social connectedness. This is then expanded in the HULE by looking at the physical and online spaces, with a focus on liminal space and co-design. The findings show that an overly rigid structure of the HULE can cause negative student social connectedness, with co-design being proposed as a way of creating a tailored and connected learning experience. However, this is underdeveloped for learning environment needs and could be enhanced by applying placemaking theories to map levels of student social connectedness in the physical location and in the more-than-real ‘non-places’. This provides an innovative perspective of the HULE based on student social connectedness, impacting the existing pedagogical approach for university courses.

https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/13/2/339/pdf?version=1676016035

A Narrative Literature Review Using Placemaking Theories to Unravel Student Social Connectedness in Hybrid University Learning Environments

PurposeSpaciousness is defined as “the feeling of openness or room to wander” that has been affected by various physical factors. The purpose of this paper is to assess the spaciousness of space to determine how spacious the space is. Furthermore, the study intends to propose a fuzzy-based model to assess the degree of spaciousness in terms of physical parameters such as area, proportion, the ratio of window area to floor area and color value.Design/methodology/approachFuzzy logic is the most appropriate mathematical model to assess uncertainty using nonhomogeneous variables. In contrast to conventional methods, fuzzy logic depends on partial truth theory. MATLAB Fuzzy Logic Toolbox was used as a computational model including a fuzzy inference system (FIS) using linguistic variables called membership functions to define parameters. As a result, fuzzy logic was used in this study to assess the spaciousness degree of design studios in universities in the Iraqi Kurdistan region.FindingsThe findings of the presented fuzzy model show the degree to which the input variables affect a space perceived as larger and more spacious. The relationship between parameters has been represented in three-dimensional surface diagrams. The positive relationship of spaciousness with the area, window-to-floor area ratio and color value has been determined. In contrast, the negative relationship between spaciousness and space proportion is described. Moreover, the three-dimensional surface diagram illustrates how the changes in the input values affect the spaciousness degree. Besides, the improvement in the spaciousness degree of the design studio increases the quality learning environment.Originality/valueThis study attempted to assess the degree of spaciousness in design studios. There has been no attempt carried out to combine educational space learning environments and computational methods. This study focused on the assessment of spaciousness using the MATLAB Fuzzy Logic toolbox that has not been integrated so far.

A quality learning environment: an assessment of spaciousness of architectural design studios of Iraqi Kurdistan region universities using fuzzy logic

The opportunities and challenges of teaching and learning in the same and different space and time have been discussed in the field of distance education for several decades. Within COVID-19, a new type of experimenting and research interest in so-called hybrid learning has emerged. In this article, we present the results from exploring “hybridity” from the perspective of classical categorizations of different forms of learning in terms of time and space. We explored the phenomenon through two cases with the same high-level strategic objective, serving hybrid interaction. In case A, we evaluated university library spaces renovated to serve hybrid teaching and learning. In case B, the focus was on the implementation of a university course redesigned during the pandemic from blended learning to include more hybrid interaction. Multifaceted data was collected, including video recordings (case A), recorded videoconference sessions, and written student feedback (case B). Qualitative data analyses relied on ethnography and contextual inquiry. Based on the analyses of the case studies, we propose five design principles for designing hybrid teaching and learning that aim to overcome the limitations of the same space and time: (1) Ensuring access to required tools, infrastructure, and support; (2) Design primarily for same time, different place learning; (3) Design primarily for same time, same place learning; (4) Less is more; and (5) “Le bon Dieu est dans le détail.” These design principles provide guidance to the design process of hybrid teaching and learning to increase the chances of reaching a successful solution. 

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Space and Time in Hybrid Teaching and Learning Environments: Two Cases and Design Principles

Reflecting a global trend of increased school construction, research into the built environment of education has multiplied over the last two decades [...]

/pdf/learning-environment-design-and-use-7nlywtsg.pdf

Learning Environment Design and Use

Existing frameworks which serve as reference for the design of creative space in educational institutions and organizations, have shown some limitations. On one hand, current spatial design theories concerned with hybrid spaces and digital technologies are limited; on the other hand, the analysis of digital technologies’ influence on spaces conducted in Information System and Computer Science research fields rarely uses a spatial theory as a foundation [1]. The aim of this ongoing research is to develop an analytical framework that integrates creative space types and a blended space model in support of the design of future hybrid creative environments (FHCS framework). The current findings have shown that many different social-spatial design solutions exist in both physical and digital spaces, and which are systematically organized as a pattern language. Identified pattern candidates are from specific application domains (e.g., spatial design, HCI Design, E-learning, and game design), and they capture and represent design knowledge of experts. Therefore, the pattern language from Christopher Alexander et al. [2] seems an appropriate approach to bring together design guidance and tools from different disciplines, in a vocabulary that can be shared across disciplines. Through a pattern mining process, various pattern frameworks and many pattern candidates that are related to the design of hybrid creative learning spaces have emerged from the analysis. As a result, 323 patterns are derived from four disciplines, and 13 generic pattern clusters have evolved in relation to the hybrid design themes. 

An Analytical Framework for Designing Future Hybrid Creative Learning Spaces: A Pattern Approach

The need for environments conducive to learning and wellbeing has been broadly recognised. Considering particularly learner perceptions in the learning environment design is known to improve both their learning and wellbeing. There are no, however, shared theoretical frameworks guiding the learning environment co-design from the learner perspective. As a response to this challenge, a learning environment design (LED) framework was developed based on the literature and co-design involving learners aged 7 to 19 (n = 342) in Finland (n = 266) and Spain (n = 76). The LED framework entails 53 characteristics grouped under seven constructs. It draws attention to the importance of balancing communality with individuality, comfort with health, and novelty with conventionality. Flexibility and functionality are recognised as central enablers for a quality learning environment. The study suggests a design framework and principles for learning environment co-design. They can serve as a research-based introduction to the topic after which priorities can be defined based on the concrete design target and goals, and concrete design solutions can be created in the participatory design involving learners and other key stakeholders.

Teemu Leinonen

Papers

Design Framework and Principles for Learning Environment Co-Design: Synthesis from Literature and Three Empirical Studies