An Active Learning Complex: Can Space Be Used To Foster Student Interaction?

Over the last ten years the engineering academic community has experienced increased pressure to modify educational practices so their students would be better able to meet the challenges of engineering in the future. A special emphasis has been placed on the students’ development of teamwork skills, multidisciplinary work, and development of life-long learning skills as characterized by independent, self-directed efforts in their own learning. This educational focus has an obvious pedagogical impact on engineering faculty members, but this focus also raises questions concerning student issues. Specifically, to teach students these skills, the students need a place to practice them. So, the question raised is what impact does the students’ environment have on the educational process and achievement of student learning outcomes? The Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECpE) department at Iowa State University created a drastically different area for student learning, a student-centered learning space, to facilitate student learning. The design team consisted of faculty, staff, students and an architect.