The UTS Teaching and Learning Building, an educational project by Woods Bagot

The International Quality and Productivity Centre (IQPC) hosted the Design for New Generation Learning Spaces conference for 2012, the theme centred upon the question: at what level do design and pedagogy intersect?

Taking place on the 28-29 March, the conference brought together education experts across the multiple channels including architects, academics, facility managers and property managers to name a few.

Guest speakers included, Gregory Baxter, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Victoria University, Mike Keppell, Director, the Flexible Learning Institute, Charles Stuart University and John Simons, Executive Dean Faculty of Arts, Macquarie University.

And Woods Bagot’s principal Sarah Ball, director of learning futures Dr Kenn Fisher, and senior education consultant Jo Dane led the conversation about the changing face of education practise.

“The next generation of leaders will face a world that is the most complex, dynamic and fast-moving in history. How do we prepare students to meet these 21st century demands?” said Sarah Ball, Woods Bagot Principal

“This challenge requires a complementary spacial response - education environments that inspire collaboration, drive curiosity and foster leadership,” she said.

The Woods Bagot representatives examined the issues faced by practitioners new to designing active learning spaces, along with looking into the complexities involved in creating these new active learning facilities.

“Spaces are starting to be designed to reflect a shift towards student centred learning, creating dynamic, more flexible and technologically-rich learning environments. However not every educational institution is reflecting this trend of student centred learning,” said Jo Dane.

Sarah Ball examined the idea that in order for the design to be truly effective the learning environment has to be fully evaluated in order for students to get the most out of the design.

“Designing new learning environments are not enough if measuring and evaluating are not part of the process.” Ball said.