The library is an asset in the development of learning spaces. It is a place that can be transformed for different types of learning – individual, peer and collaborative learning. The learning commons is an example of a computer environment. However, the next generation of learning spaces is going to be designed for peer learning and individual computing space.
There are examples of how the learning environment is changing. The flipped classroom is a pedagogical model in which the typical classroom (lecture and homework center) are reversed. The flipped classroom draws on such concepts as active learning, student engagement, hybrid course design, and course podcasting.
The value of a flipped classroom is in the way a class space is transformed. It allows for a workshop setup where students can work collaboratively, inquire about lecture content, test their skills in applying knowledge, and interact with one another in hands-on activities.
The flipped classroom is designed to support new types of functionality. It allows faculty and students to adjust their environment for peer and group learning. The model has the potential to shift learning styles from covering material to collaborating and mastering it. “Flip classroom” environments are in libraries too. We design spaces to support new learning styles. Furniture examples by Steelcase illustrate how a flip classroom can be implemented in an educational environment.
