Strengths and Weaknesses
in Villa Colleges' physical learning and teaching spaces.
This
is a link which will provide you an introduction about my Institution. Hope you
all enjoy and have a better understanding of my institution.
Strength
From
the aforementioned video it is evident that there are a range of areas suitable for
collaborative learning, individual learning, small group work and support
services. Students can do collaborative learning in indoor and outdoor learning
spaces of the college. There are excellent natural cross ventilation and lighting
in indoor environment. The arrangement of seats in the classrooms allows students
to be flexible for individual and collaborative learning. At outdoors, the rose
and orchid gardens creates a pleasant and sophisticated greenly environment to
enjoy learning. According to Keep (2002), temperature, heating and air quality
are the most important individual elements for student achievement.
Weakness
The consideration of furniture is
paramount. In VC modern furniture's are not available and also the current
furniture's are not flexible and adaptable. The unconventional
furniture transforms seemingly inflexible learning spaces. The removal of walls
together with excellent furniture and flexible movable partitioning can be a
simple way to alter a learning space to better meet a contemporary pedagogy.
Moreover, VC needs to enhance its
physical space by the enrichment of Information Communication Technologies
(ICT). Currently, each class, has a computer system and a multimedia projector,
which is mainly, used by the teacher. Few students bring their own laptops for their
convenience in gaining knowledge. However, the physical space needs to incorporate
the characteristics of the latest smart classes. This will give a support
to the College's educational aims and will inspire new generations of students
and teachers. Gillespie
(2007) highlights the importance of integrating technology in classrooms in
order to cater for the demands of visually oriented student of today.
Aesthetic
factors contribute to the overall performance of a building. Light, colour,
glare, scale, texture and acoustics are important elements for student's
achievement (Higgins, Hall, Wall, Woolner & McCaughey, 2005) which need to be considered
in the physical learning space of VC. Large learning spaces with these
(aesthetic) factors need to be designed.
Possible Changes to Physical
Spaces
The
most prevalent resource constraint for VC is the lack of space. There is a
volume of research that suggests that classrooms where students seated in rows
instead of tables create less attentive and less successful pupils (McGregor,
2004). Maldives is a small island nation and the capital city is highly crowded.
Therefore, it is impossible to create modern large learning space, especially
in the Qasim Ibrahim Campus (City campus). However, VC is now expanding its
campuses across the country which hopefully will create larger and modern
environment. When the new campuses are built in the islands it is wise to make
use of the large space which is currently available. 
Traditional
furniture's could be changed to contemporary modern ones which are flexible and
adaptable. The shape of the classes, its seating's, tables, lightings, student
and teacher spaces need to be modified into a more collaborative learning environment.
In
addition, flexibility and capacity of emerging technologies need to be
considered in the renovation of the infrastructure. All possible appropriate
existing technologies should be incorporated into the planning of the new
upgraded learning space. The building and its furniture need to be easily
adjustable in order to incorporate the latest technological advancements which are
unforeseen.
Various researches advocates the significance
of seating, furnishings, spatial density, privacy and play-yards on students'
engagement, attainment, attendance and wellbeing (Eg: Keep, 2002; Higgins et al,
2005 & McGregor, 2004). Therefore, to improve students' learning
experience at VC, a long term strategic planning needs to be established. The planning
should be based on ways to customize the learning space in terms of larger
space, modern adaptable furniture, aesthetic design and technological advancements
which is most suitable for the visions of each faculty.
I
just love the learning space in HKU, which Bob talked about. Here is a video
which will give you a better idea of the innovative space in HKU
References
Gillespie,
D. (2007). On-Demand Video System Enhances Visual Learning. District
Administration, 43(9), pp 25-26.
Higgins,
S., Hall, E., Wall, K., Woolner, P., & C McCaughey (2005). The Impact of
School Environments: A literature
review. Retrieved on April 21, http://www.cfbt.com/PDF/91085.pdf
Keep, G. (2002). Buildings that teach. The
Educational Facilities Planner, 37( 2).
McGregor, J. (2004). Spatiality and the Place of the
Material in Schools', Pedagogy, Culture and Society. 12 (3) pp.347–372.
Aisher, the video clip of your college gave me a clear insight into the higher education in the Maldives. I like the infra- structures and the multi- cultural environment of your college. Really the basic component or the essence of education lies in the learning environment of the institution which accounts for better learning outcomes.Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMan, as a teacher I have experienced the positive effect of physical infrastructure and students involvement in learning, which eventually enhances the learning outcomes.
DeleteHi Aisher, I love the gardens! The open spaces surely help in student interaction and promote learning. I also note how ICT is used in teaching-learning. And agree with your recommendations (above) fully that sometimes the basic things like furniture can make a big difference in impacting teaching-learning.
ReplyDeleteJason, the outdoor space at VC is a pleasant space where lots of students and staffs enjoy their teaching and learning. But VC has the issues of lack of space and I do not think much can be done to resolve this issue in current building since the Capital of Maldives is crowded. Even than, I believe that the future campuses which is focused on the islands could be designed with large learning spaces.
DeleteHi Aisher, what a wonderful introduction video. Inspired me to give a visit there. I just realized that VC had a collaboration with USM and OUM, Malaysia. I agree with your suggestion that the shape of the classes, its seating's or even student and teacher spaces need to be modified. Gifford (2002) noted that within educational settings, the “amount and arrangement of space is very important for classroom performance and related behaviours”.
ReplyDeleteMushala, VC is the first college in Maldives which is in collaboration with an international university. Acredit for the college, where the public gets attracted ;)
DeleteI was interested to see the courses you run at Villa and my question was about planned growth and expansion of courses/Faculties. I note the plan to deliver Hospitality and Marine studies in 2014 onwards. Are there plans to open other faculties for example in Human services?
ReplyDeleteAmanda, its interesting that you have visited the VC website for further information. As for the question you have raised, I believe that VC is focusing on the most prominent career opportunities available in Maldives. Since the establishment of VC it has varied its courses in the following order. Started with diving courses and then expanded the course from Education, ICT, Business. Shariah nd Law and now Hospitality and Marine studies. It seems that by the end of this year law courses in affiliation with a London University is about to start.
DeleteCurrently, there is diploma and degree level course in human resource management, I have not heard of any plans about any other human services courses.