Towards Creative Learning Spaces: Re-thinking the Architecture of Post-Compulsory Education

by Jos Boys

This book offers new ways of investigating relationships between learning and the spaces in which it takes place. It suggests that we need to understand more about the distinctiveness of teaching and learning in post-compulsory education, and what it is that matters about the design of its spaces. Starting from contemporary educational and architectural theories, it suggests alternative conceptual frameworks and methods that can help map the social and spatial practices of education in universities and colleges; so as to enhance the architecture of post-compulsory education.

Genres: Education

204 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book about learning spaces in higher education. Boys, a British architect with a significant background in learning space design, makes a great case that more theory is needed to understand and assess learning spaces. She presents some theoretical arguments from three perspectives: architectural, learning theory, and “estates” (building services on campus). I found this book totally stimulating and devoured it in a weekend. Her views of space in light of contemporary learning theories (situated cognition, constructivism, threshold concepts, communities of practice) was particularly powerful and has definitely shaped my thinking about learning and space.