Exploring and discussing learning space requirements in the library using user experience methodology within education.

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Exploring learning space
requirements in the library
using user experience
methodology
Margaret Feetham, Kate Stephenson and
Susan Taylor

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What do we mean by learning space?
• Informal learning space, which can be defined as space
where students meet, without teacher supervision,
usually outside of scheduled class time, ( Ellis and
Goodyear, 2016) plays a large part in the students’
learning experience.
• good time to “observe what students actually do – how
they move in, inhabit and reconfigure space, how they
create congenial learning places, how they assemble
tools and other artefacts” ( Elllis and Goodyear, 2016)

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What does learning space look like?

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What is user experience?
As for ‘UX’, until recently it has largely referred to design and usability of a
website or software, but it is now enjoying a broader – and more useful –
definition which encompasses user experience of spaces and services too.
UX in Libraries [endeavours] to weave together ethnography, usability, and
space and service design techniques under one umbrella. - Andy Priestner,
Chair of the UXLibs Conference, Update May 2015, 15

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Six key techniques
• Observation/behavioural mapping
• Structured/semi structured interviews/graffiti walls
• Love letters/break up letters
• Cognitive mapping
• Touchstone tours
• Cultural probes

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Observation/behavioural mapping
• How they move
around the space
• what they use
• What they ignore

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Mapping PCs and power enabled tables get
most usage
Usage increases over the day

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Graffiti walls: you want more Pods: why?
• Easier for
group work
• 10,000
students
• 3 pods
• Central
place for
group to
meet and
improves
work ethic

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Focus groups
“If I want to be away from people, I get a laptop and work
in the Law Library. If I want to work with my friends, I get
a laptop and go to the second floor or lower ground floor”
“The library is really small – I feel like the library is tiny
and there isn’t enough space”
“There aren’t enough pods – I can never book them”
“A microwave for students…”

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Individual study room survey
Main attractions
• Ability to work on pc in a quiet area
• You can lock up books and valuables
if you have to pop out
Issues
• Noisy
• Can be cold

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Love letters/Love to have

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Love letters/Love to have
• An easier way to connect your own laptop
to a printer
• Hole punch and stapler at desks to borrow
• Better choice of food in vending machines

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Cognitive mapping
• Ask people to draw the library
• Swap pens every 2 minutes
• Use of colour gives you idea of priorities

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Touchstone tours
• Ask a student to show you around the Library
• Where do they prefer to study?
• What do they do while they are studying?

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Cultural probes
• Diaries
• Video blogs
• Pinterest

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Sources
• ELLIS,R. and P. Goodyear, 2016. Models of learning space: integrating
research on space, place and learning in higher education. Review of
Education, 4 ( 2), 149-191
• Andy Priestner: UX blogs and conferences
https://libreaction.wordpress.com/andy-priestner-training/