Mid-Atlantic Symposium | Informal Learning Environments: Do They Matter?

Conference Slides

Click on session titles below to read session details and download slideshows. Thank you to all of our presenters!

Designing for Academic Success: A Collaborative Research Model Between Architects and Environmental Psychologists

Presented by Sara Grant, Evie Klein

Designing Libraries for Learning

Presented by Peggy Seiden

Learning: What Does the Literature Say?

Presented by David M. Zaiser

The Informal Learning Environment: What’s It Look Like?

Presented by Michael Schade

The Informal Learning Environment: What’s It Look Like?

Presented by Elizabeth Mahon

What Does it Mean to Relate Learning With Space, Behaviors, and Outcomes?

Presented by Jeffrey Ashley, Danuta A. Nitecki

Historically, the focus of learning environments has been on classrooms and other formal teaching spaces, but learning also happens between peers when learners are outside the classroom. This one-day symposium will focus on our current understanding of the nature of informal learning environments. What spatial organizations, design elements, and social arrangements effectively support learning and student success? How we might better assess these environments now…and in the future?

AIA LU/HSW 5.5 units (SCUP19M102) / AICP CM 5.5 units.

Learning Objectives

1. Characterize the nature of informal learning environments—what design elements, siting, and spatial arrangements turn a space into one that supports learning, a crucial component of the social wellbeing of building users?
2. Identify the critical design and environmental concerns and opportunities for effective learning outside of classrooms at colleges and universities.
3. Describe how to use research and learner assessment data to improve the design of informal learning environments so they benefit users more.
4. Discuss facilities planning, design strategies, and operational concerns that maintain and support informal learning environments.

Featured Speakers

Jeffrey Ashley

2018-2019 SCUP Fellow and Director of the Center for Teaching Innovation and Nexus Learning Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University)

Joan L. Bush

Ed.D. Dean, Educational Support ServicesCommunity College of Philadelphia

Sara Grant

PartnerMurphy Burnham Buttrick Architects

Eve B. Klein

Co-FounderUser Design Information Group, CUNY Graduate School and University Center

Danuta A. Nitecki

Dean of LibrariesDrexel University

Brian K. Smith

Senior Associate Dean at our College of Computing and InformaticsDrexel University

Anuradha Vedantham

Assistant University Librarian for Research Services, Princeton University LibrariesPrinceton University

David M. Zaiser

Project PrincipalHDR

Program

Registration

SOLD OUT

This event is currently sold out. Due to space limitations, walk-ins will not be accepted. 

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Travel Information

Conference Location

Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building (PISB) Auditorium
Drexel University
3245 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19104
map

Public Transportation

Bus Line #21 has a stop at Chestnut St and S. 33rd St, the same corner that PISB is located. Please use Septa for directions using public transit.

Airport

Philadelphia International Airport – Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
9 miles from Drexel University

Driving Directions

To the Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building

Additional information on campus directions

Parking

Lot G is the closest parking to PISB. Please use the link for additional parking information at Drexel.

Daily Flat Fee, Weekday: $15

Hotel Information

Note: SCUP does not have a discounted block at any of the following hotels nor does SCUP endorse any of these hotels.

The Study at University City
20 S. 33rd St
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215.387.1400
Across the street from PISB

The Inn at Penn, a Hilton Hotel
3600 Sansom St
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215.222.0200
Approximately 0.4 miles from PISB