Formalising the Development Priorities for Learning and Teaching Space

Background

The last nine years have seen significant investments in learning and teaching spaces on campus. This has been assisted by the availability of ring-fenced funds from HEFCE for capital projects relating to teaching space. The developments have been championed by Anne Mumford supported by her colleagues, in particular Caroline Pepper, and undertaken in partnership with Estates Services. Anne’s role has largely been one of sitting at the interface between the academic requirement and the construction project. Advice has been forthcoming on the academic side from the Media Services Users’ Group and information and best practice has been sought through the CETLs and from external conferences, workshops and visits. Priorities for developments have also been influenced by the formal student feedback.

The demise of Media Services means that the academic input through the Media Services Users’ Group is no longer available. Many of the negative comments raised through student feedback also relate to departmental rooms and not just pool rooms.

For these various reasons it is timely to consider what processes and structures need to exist to enable construction projects including learning and teaching spaces to be guided by the academic requirement, to facilitate best practice in learning and teaching and to learn from case studies elsewhere in higher education (in the UK and internationally).

Proposal

That a standing committee be created to

• review the requirements for learning and teaching spaces (guided by student numbers, programmes, room requests and utilisation surveys).
• review best practice and experience relating to the development of learning and teaching spaces.
• have a view of how space can enhance (and detract from) the learning experience.
• review any relevant feedback including student feedback, APRs and PPRs.
• Develop priorities for the development of learning and teaching spaces for the next five years – both pool space and departmental space.
• Ensure appropriate academic guidance is given to all projects being considered, specified and constructed at the University.

This committee could report to:

• Learning and Teaching Committee
• Estates Management Committee

That the membership might be:

• Senior academic as chair
• Faculty representatives (people enthusiastic and knowledgeable about learning and teaching spaces), perhaps two per Faculty.
• Estates Development Office
• Librarian
• Director of IT Services
• Space manager
• Teaching centre
• CETLs based on campus
• LSU representation
• Room Bookings Administrator
• Chief Technician
• 2(?) Departmental Administrators
• Others who might have particular expertise in this area through their jobs, research activity or external involvement.

Dr Anne Mumford

22^nd May 2008.