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Hi all, I’ve just returned from a doctorate supervisory session on relational space at the Writing Café here in Plymouth to this very apt conversation. I’d be happy to talk about the Writing Café as a space for practicing Learning Development in further depth if you’d like Nicola? I’ve been undertaking a number of observations and interviews over the last few months which have really helped me consider things more holistically and from multiple perspectives, so I’d be happy to share my initial analysis. Overall, I’d probably say that you should also consider how the space reflects and informs the pedagogy that you are aiming to achieve and how it impacts or is framed by the power relationships between your staff, any mentees you have and the students that come to speak with you. Secondly, I’d think about asking students what kind of space they would like to have. We did that when setting up the Writing Café and found that involving them early on in the process was a really beneficial endeavour. Best wishes, Christie Christie Pritchard, SFHEA | Learning Development Advisor | Learning Support & Wellbeing Room 102 3 Endsleigh Place | The University of Plymouth | Drake Circus | Plymouth | PL4 8AA Tel: 01752 587755 | Email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Steering Group Member | Co-chair of Research and Development Working Group for the Association of Learning Development in Higher Education (ALDinHE): www.aldinhe.ac.uk<http://www.aldinhe.ac.uk/> [LD-smaller] [WRITING CAFE LOGO] From: learning development in higher education network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sandra Sinfield Sent: 06 March 2018 15:45 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Learning Development spaces I love the opportunity, Nicola - and these great questions from Jennie Blake... I might add: * Can you open a Writing Cafe there? * Can students customise a bit of it - perhaps even make tea/coffee? And one inspired by Susan Blythman & Debbie Orr (hope I've got those right): * Can SMT see what a great job you're doing in your new space? All good luck, Sandra On 6 March 2018 at 15:25, Jennie Blake <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote: Hi Nicola Congrats on the new space! I am sure a lot of people will chime in with specifics, but I would tend to think around some questions for the space: 1) is it welcoming? (Will it inspire students to reach out when they may be stressed or worried?) 2) is it flexible? (Can you do 1-1s? Does it encourage collaborative working? Can people see screens/boards/presenters from a number of places and angles? Are there enough plug sockets?) 3) is it accessible? (If a student has a specific learning or physical issue, can the space welcome and support them as well?) 4) who administers it? Is it centrally bookable (can be an issue) is it for a specific service only? (Can make it seem less welcoming if students don’t see “themselves” using that service.) Good luck! Jennie Blake On 6 Mar 2018, at 15:06, Allett, Nicola <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote: Dear all, The Learning Development Centre at Aston University is currently situated in our Library building, although we are not part of the Library team. The space includes three workshop rooms with AV equipment and an open area of group tables for 1:1 appointments with our learning advisers, student writing mentors and for drop-ins with our Maths team (from which we often need to remove students who stray into our space from the library!). We provide skype and email tutorials to distance learners (usually from our desks or any quiet space we can find!). In the coming year we will be moving location (which, as you can guess, is a mix of good and bad). Starting with a blank canvas, we have the opportunity to redesign the Learning Development space and reconsider the way in which the space is used. We would be interested to hear your recommendations: · What physical spaces have worked particularly well? · What would be your ideal learning development space? Why? We would, also, be interested to hear of any research carried out on learning development spaces. Thank you! Nicola Dr Nicola Allett Teaching Fellow Learning Development Centre Aston Triangle Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK Tel: 0121 204 4955 | Email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> <image001.jpg> -- Sandra Sinfield University Teaching Fellow ________________________________________________________ Centre for Professional & Educational Development LC-213 London Metropolitan University, 236-250 Holloway Road, N7 6PP. 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