Teaching and Learning Spaces Working Group

Photos

Part of this exploration of teaching and learning spaces involves looking at what is happening currently on campus and at other institutions in the area.

Augsburg spaces

Coffee
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On April 20, 2006 various campus spaces were photographed to show how they were being used or not being used by students.

Macalester: Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center

Macalester
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On June 26, 2006 Macalester's campus center was visited and photographed. This building features dining, meeting rooms, an auditorium, and campus mailboxes.

After the building's opening the students realized that they needed a lounge. The colorfully-painted student lounge was carved out of a storage room and coat closet. Upon entering the main dining area, one first sees a coffee bar-style area for either pick-up or quick eating. A commuter TV area was added next to the coffee bar with soft seating. In the main dining seating area is a stage that is obscured by the tables during regular operations. But in the evenings and for events the dining space is transformed into a performance space. The main dining facility features 4 distinct areas for picking up food.

College of St. Catherine: Coeur de Catherine

StKate
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Also on June 26, 2006 the College of St. Catherine's student center was photographed. This building features dining, the library, a coffee shop, space for student organizations and campus organizations, and academic programs.

Of particular interest was a space for student parents. A mid-sized room is split by a glass wall with a space for children to play on one side and a work area with computers on the other. One student parent who was in there at the time said she couldn't survive without the space.

University of St Thomas: Information Commons

UST
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On July 19, 2006 the University of St. Thomas' information commons was photographed. This space is still evolving and is being planned to be able to change as needed. This space is a service point for both the library and IT.

It features expansive open areas with computers and printers as well as a designated quiet room with computers. The integrated help desk (library and IT) is intentionally small and open to encourage inquiry. The computing furniture is very whimsical and can be moved by staff if needed. The traditional reference desk has been removed to make room for more computing and is being re-thought much like the integrated help desk.

 

Minneapolis Public Library, New Central Library

MPL
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On July 19, and again on August 23, 2006 the new Central Library was visited. This new building has many different areas for patrons and has a strong attention to detail.

It features electronic displays of daily, upcoming and general library events as well as an interactive map. It also has the most computers in any public building in the state. It offers distinct children and teen areas with features geared towards both age groups. The teen area has a meeting room with markers and walls that are all writeable. It also features sound cones in the ceiling that direct sound from CDs into a small meeting area but without filling the entire space. Throughout are small work desks with minimal but effective lights and a power plug for laptops (it is a wireless building).