Edge Hill University, Ormskirk: Flexible Teaching Space (SOLSTICE CETL)
| Contact Details: | John Davey, daveyj@edgehill.ac.uk |
| Type of Project: | Refurbishment to create a flexible teaching space in order to explore the use of that space and inform practice elsewhere in the University. |
| Start/End Date: | Summer 2005 - October 2005 (work not continuous) New Build due for completion late 2007 |
Success Factors
In one evaluation students were asked 'If there was one aspect of this teaching space that you would want to transfer to other teaching rooms what would it be?' and the resounding majority said it was the round group tables.
Knowing that the team wanted to develop a space where technology could come out and go back as appropriate they mulled over for sometime what kind of chairs to put in there. Standard teaching rooms have static chairs with standard legs, and IT labs have operators chairs on wheels. In the end the team went for low back operator chairs which look like normal chairs but when using the technology it allows students to move together easily to look at things and work on things.
What has happened well in the space is the integration of the technology. Some low-tech aspects of that have worked particularly well e.g. the multiple dry whiteboards. Students have said they like the warm inviting feel of the space (a warm terracotta colour on the wall and the chairs have a matching fabric). The overall ambience along with the group tables means that they feel it is a very inviting space to work in.
