Learning & Teaching Spaces Committee

Learning & Teaching Spaces Committee

http://www.mq.edu.au/provost/governance/learning_spaces_committee.html

https://wiki.mq.edu.au/display/teachingspaces/Learning+and+Teaching+Spaces+Committee

Members

In Attendance

Ms Barb McLean, Exec Officer

Apologies

Dr Vicki Baard, Dept of Accounting and Finance

A/Prof Mark Evans, Dept of Media, Music, Communication & Cultural Studies

Dr Stephane Mahuteau, Dept of Economics

Prof Judyth Sachs, DVC (Provost)

Ms Anne Warren, Major Projects

Minutes

2.00-3.30p.m. Thurs23rd September2010, MeetingRoom 1-2, E11A

1. Confirmation of Minutes of 8thJuly and Business ArisingAdopted

1.1The Learning and Teaching Spaces Wiki may be found at https://wiki.mq.edu.au/display/teachingspaces/Learning+and+Teaching+Spaces+Committee

You can log in using your MQ number and password.

1.2 Outdoor places: exploring opportunities for learning on the University campus – ethics application has been completed.

1. Strategy and Future Planning
2. Update on the ARINA ProjectJS

The Greenpaper was recently reviewed by a stakeholder forum that included all the Assoc Deans (L&T). At the completion of the consultation period a White Paper will follow with another round of consultation, convened by the VC.

The Green Paper may be found on the following Wiki:

Learning and Teaching Space Planning and Pedagogical Study, with the wiki URL: https://wiki.mq.edu.au/display/spaceplan/Learning+and+Teaching+Space+Planning+and+Pedagogical+Study

2.2 CAP and Faculty-owned learning spacesJS

The Chair informed the meeting that the Executive Deans have agreed in principle to return faculty-managed spaces to the central pool for timetabling. Each faculty is to provide a list of spaces with tailored spaces identified and units requiring priority noted. Faculties also need to notify any maintenance down times required. OFM will provide access to the timetabling database to one contact person per faculty.

Mr Stewart was asked whether the timetabling system is granular enough to allow the booking of specific machines in specialist laboratories. A Web-interface to facilitate casual bookings will be purchased by the end of 2011.

1. Operational Issues
2. Report on lecture room refurbishment projectDS

Macquarie Theatre is scheduled for refurbishment from June 2011 to February 2012. The Atrium will be converted to provide alternate space during this period.

E5A refurbishment commences soon (commencing with the top floor) and is anticipated to take 15 months. The top floor will become available to Chiropractic in mid 2011. The second level will be unavailable all of 2011, while the first level will be unavailable the second half of 2011.

Another project has painted, carpeted, redone ceilings and replaced lights in 20 teaching rooms, with a further 12-15 to be undertaken in the breaks in 2011. Following this work some of these CAP spaces will be converted into:

• Informal low tech spaces i.e. replace the furniture
• Collaborative spaces – nesting tables
• High tech spaces, at least one in the East and one in the West – smartboards

OFM is seeking assistance to identify rooms for the above categories.

C5C T1 and T2 will be upgraded; one to equivalence with Price, whilst the second will remove the steeply raked floor and replace with double tiers with fixed but narrow tables, movable chairs and powerpoints – for lectorial usage (N.B. with a capacity for 100 pax). This lectorial space will be made available to staff undertaking the LTC seminars on lectorials.

Mr Stewart informed the Committee that these refurbishments for different learning purposes will not be evaluated by OFM – and it will be up to this Committee to undertake such evaluations.

3.2Principles for Extended Hours Learning SpacesJP

Ms Peasley reminded the Committee of the Extended Hours Working Party established by the Provost’s Strategy Group to develop Guiding Principles. An audit of the current provision of after hour access has been undertaken and was surprised with the amount already occurring.

Issues raised in discussion included:

• Security and safety –Security no longer undertake building patrols; they secure the building and do perimeter patrols. Do we have a duty of care with the provision of unsupervised rooms? The Departments do not have the resources to pay for additional security.
• Are students using these spaces to use specialist equipment, or is it just a place to be? Will we disadvantage low SES and International students by not providing such spaces?
• Over a full year usage will be light, but some students will use the facilities heavily, whilst some parts of the academic calendar will provide peaks of activity.
• One of our roles is to encourage healthy lifestyles – if we provide access to learning spaces after hours are we sending the wrong message

1. Any Other Business

4.1Learning and Teaching Week and L&T SpacesAll

Feedback has been positive and Y3A was an excellent venue because of its variety of spaces. It was noted that Wifi died once more that 10 people attempted to logon. Second Life ran all day (via cables) and was well supported by universities across the world.

1. Next Meeting: 2.00-3.30p.m. 4th November 2010

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