Community Learning Environments for Millennials in College-Residence Hall: Evaluation of Three Case Studies

Sharmin Kader (TreanorHL)

Today, new types of learning environments are emerging in higher education facilities to accommodate new pedagogical approaches and the new generation of students. The idea of creating ‘knowledge commons’ or ‘learning commons’ as space for students to gather and work with technology has been introduced in the library design for over a decade. To expand this opportunity in student housing facilities, a ‘learning commons,’ sometimes called ‘Community Learning Center’ (CLC), is introducing in a residence hall. This space brings together a wide range of elements to foster student learning in new and creative ways. It provides multiple leisure lounging options with various types of comfortable furnishings to make users feel relaxed, encourage creativity, and support peer-learning. It also includes a PC lab with advanced software with printing options, multiple workstations and reading areas for individual study and collaborative work, and instruction rooms with multi-media. Though the idea is growing, yet to date, there has not been an in-depth examination of the efficacy and outcome of CLCs in residence halls. To develop evidence-based guidelines for design and operation, three newly constructed residence halls in Texas has selected for post-occupancy evaluation. A mixed-methods of research study has considered collecting data: a) online student satisfaction survey; b) guided walk-through observation by the researcher for seven days; c) Interviews with staff and students. The study followed similar methods in three case studies. The study measured the utilization rate, identified what design concepts worked and what didn’t from the results, reviewed the impact of proving CLCs in residence halls on student engagement, learning, and success. A list of recommendations has developed for planning, programming, design, and operation based on the feedback from the post-occupancy evaluation. The findings carry a great significance for architects and university housing professionals for future design and renovation.