New 1 Central Courtyard teaching spaces wow users

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These Maker Spaces are among the innovative spaces in 1CC that put collaboration and connection at the heart of learning.

It’s been more than a month since the new 1 Central Courtyard (1CC) building’s teaching spaces were opened to students. With 26 formal teaching rooms (including two ‘makerspaces’) in assorted sizes and configurations, complemented by numerous breakout study areas, the facilities are proving to be a hit with staff and students alike. We spoke to some of the lecturers using the spaces to find out what they like best about them.


Anne McMaugh
Senior Lecturer, Educational Studies
“I use small group work in my teaching, and the small groupings of desks facilitate easy student engagement with one another. This also seems to reduce noise as conversations are directed toward each other, which is better for students with hearing impairments and also for those who might be less confident speaking in large classrooms.

“I feel like teacher-student relationship quality is enhanced because I can walk down the wide centre of the room and engage with every student group and sit down with a group if I want to have a closer conversation. Students also appear to develop positive and engaged working relationships with peers in these spaces.”

Michael Volkov
Associate Professor, Marketing
“The new active learning spaces are colourful and inviting. Just their ‘look’ is almost like an invitation to engage with the others in the space. These spaces suit my teaching style as I base my teaching around collaborative activity- and team-based learning.

“The variety of room designs and mobility of layouts means that depending on structure and purpose of the teaching and learning, a great space can be created. There are also wonderful breakout areas outside the actual teaching spaces that benefit students. These multi-format new spaces will further challenge us to review the way we teach to improve the learning experience and success of our students.”

Sunny Shin
Lecturer, Economics
“I teach in a 60-person project room. It’s perfect for team-based learning activities, which the unit I teach is all about. What I like best about the room is that there is not really a default location for the instructor in the room, especially with a wireless keyboard/mouse and a mobile lectern.

“This motivates me to walk around the tables and actively communicate with students, and also makes it easier to facilitate both team-based and whole-class discussions. I believe students definitely benefit from this: easier interactions with the instructor and fellow students.”

Ian Jamie
Senior Lecturer, Molecular Sciences
“The arrangement of desks and seating really promotes collaborative work. There’s much more activity, discussion and assistance occurring in these rooms than the old-style, forward-facing tutorial rooms.

“Access to power is another good feature of these rooms, with all students able to charge their devices. Additionally, the general spaciousness of the rooms is good for me. I can easily move around, monitoring students’ work and providing assistance when called for.”

Linda Kelly
Lecturer, Geography and Planning
“There’s much to like about the new teaching spaces, but top of my list would be the floor-to-ceiling windows allowing great natural light and an expansive outlook. This creates an excellent atmosphere for teaching. I also like its ‘newness’ and good acoustics.

“Students have told me they think the acoustics, seating arrangement and aesthetically pleasing interior design make for a positive space for engagement and interaction, adding much value to their student experience.”


Share your feedback

Please let us know your experiences of teaching in the 1CC teaching spaces by completing a short survey or joining a focus group.

Find out more

For more information about booking 1CC teaching spaces – including makerspaces, our ‘workshop-type’ spaces that can be used for design, prototyping, running events and challenges, teacher-training etc – please contact Asset Manager, Learning and Teaching Craig Oliver at craig.oliver@mq.edu.au.

 

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