Designing for Learning: Creating Campus Environments for Student Success

by C. Carney Strange, James H. Banning

Understand the design factors of campus environmental theory that impact student success and create a campus of consequence Designing for Learning is a comprehensive introduction to campus environmental theory and practice, summarizing the influence of collegiate environments on learning and providing practical strategies for facilitating student success through intentional design. This second edition offers new coverage of universal design, learning communities, multicultural environments, online environments, social networking, and safety, and challenges educators to evaluate the potential for change on their own campuses. You'll learn which factors make a living-learning community effective, and how to implement these factors in the renovation of campus facilities. An updated selection of vignettes, case scenarios, and institutional examples help you apply theory to practice, and end-of-chapter reflection questions allow you to test your understanding and probe deeper into the material and how it applies to your environment. Campus design is no longer just about grassy quads and ivy-covered walls―the past decade has seen a surge in new designs that facilitate learning and nurture student development. This book introduces you to the many design factors that impact student success, and helps you develop a solid strategy for implementing the changes that can make the biggest difference to your campus. Colleges and universities are institutions of purpose and place, and the physical design of the facilities must be undertaken with attention to the ways in which the space's dimensions and features impact the behavior and outlook of everyone from students to faculty to staff. Designing for Learning gives you a greater understanding of modern campus design, and the practical application that brings theory to life.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

368 pages, Hardcover

First published June 16, 2015

Reviews

[Laken Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a great inside look on what the four main components to the environments on college campuses are. I really enjoyed learning about these concepts and being able to apply them to my work in the field in my GA, and my own personal experiences. I would recommend this to any student affairs professional or anyone wanting to take a critical look at campus life.

[Elysa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rewriting this review because I'd basically copy-pasted part of my school assignment. I've read this textbook again for a Master's level course and found it to still be useful, but very dated. Seriously, this a book about college environments and a LOT has changed politically, culturally and, well COVID happened. So I think the college environments niche is due for an update. For now, if reading this book just skip the chapter on digital technology. The four key components of a college campus are still very useful for analyzing the college campus, especially concerning the relationship with the college physical space, human aggregate, organizational aspects, and social construction with the community (campus and larger communities), participant engagement, and the safety and inclusion of those involved.

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There are four key components to the environment of a college campus: The physical environment, the characteristics and behavior of people (also referred to as the “human aggregate”), organizational structures in relation to self, goals and necessary skills, and finally the social construction of the campus. The physical environment includes the setting, functional, individual, and cultural characteristics of the campus. Such as plants, art, landscape, banners, sidewalks, seating, adornments, furniture and buildings.

The human aggregate includes a feeling of belonging and sameness and seems to be mostly characterized by the personality of the person and how it fits with the campus.

The last key component I want to discuss is the social construction of a campus. This includes the campus culture, the social climate, the community setting and culture, and the reputation of the school. An example of that can be seen in how events organized and held at HSU are largely left-leaning, which gives the illusion that the campus itself is largely left-leaning. HSU describes itself as a diverse school as well. The surrounding Arcata culture is more left-leaning as well. There are students and peers I have known since their first year and the majority of them have at least tried to change their diet to vegetarian or vegan, become more environmentally-aware, and become advocates for similar issues as the community.

[Stephanie Boedecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting information regarding the human / environment interaction and how this plays into student learning and development