University of Sheffield, CILASS CETL
| Contact Details: | Dr Philippa Levy, CILASS Academic Director, p.levy@sheffield.ac.uk Nicola Reilly, Programme Manager, n.reilly@sheffield.ac.uk |
| Type of Project: | Initial stage was a refurbishment. Second stage was part of a larger new build project. |
| Start/End Date: | First stage opened in Autumn 2006. Second stage project opened Spring 2007. |
Success Factors
What Makes The Space Successful?
The spaces are flexible and users are encouraged to make themselves comfortable. Food, drink and mobile phones are allowed in the CILASS spaces. Indeed mobile phones can prove to be an important element of the learning experience. For example, one CILASS funded English Department project based around Alex Haley and his book Roots has used the collaboratory to great effect.
The project was able to use multi-media including using MP3 players for related music. When it came to finding out about their own family histories students used their mobile phones to ring parents and grandparents as a first step to collecting information.
The furniture is very flexible and groups and individuals feel comfortable about moving it around. The tables are bespoke and have been designed specifically to give best possible positioning for use of laptops and other activities - avoiding table legs getting in the way of users, etc.
The chairs stack easily so more space can be cleared quickly.
A raised floor enables sockets to be situated in the floor. The floor is modular and can be moved around - there are built-in channels for cabling.
The rooms are bookable and offer users the opportunity to access facilities that are not available to them elsewhere in the University.
The positioning of the CILASS facilities within the Information Commons encourages students to more easily recognise the potential and accessibility of the available spaces.
The design of the spaces moves people away from a more traditional teaching set up to one that encourages collaboration and group activity.
What Is Innovative About The Design And The Use Of The Space?
Collaboratories are a new innovation to the University of Sheffield and have proven to be a popular initiative.
The environment is different to other more traditional spaces within the University and students are able to participate in activities that are not so easily accommodated elsewhere in the institution - activities such as mobile phone use and eating and drinking!
