This document summarizes a World Cafe discussion about ideal learning environments. The discussion was facilitated by Jan Johnson and Cindy Underhill from UBC's Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology. Participants shared ideas on sticky notes about their best teaching experiences and necessary ingredients to support great teaching. These ideas were clustered into themes on a paper wall. Observations were then discussed about patterns in the ideas, surprises, missing elements, and how the ideas compared to previous World Cafe discussions. The outcomes would be assembled for UBC-V's Learning Conference on October 28, 2010.

1. UBC’s World CafeWhat is an ideal learning environment?

2. facilitatorsJan Johnson: Manager, Facilitation and Process Design Cindy Underhill: Learning Resource Design StrategistCentre for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT)

3. what we’re aiming for...A documented collection of your ideas about the ideal learning environment: What is it? What do we need in order to support it?

4. how we’ll get there..DiscussionSticky notes for ideasGrouping ideas according to themes/patternsCollective observations

5. definitions for clarity...Learning environments refer to the context in which we learn and teach. This includes place, people, resources. Typically include four components: An enabling context (physical or online space to bring people together) Resources (library, internet, people) A set of tools (tools to help learners process information, manipulate data, and discuss) Scaffolds (problem solving supports) Hannafin, Land, & Oliver, 1999. from: http://www.edtech.vt.edu/edtech/id/models/environs.html

6. definitions for clarityLearning experiences are those events and activities from which:We learn, andWe can identify(to a certain extent) what we have learned. They are personal and often shared.Teaching experiences are those events and activities:Which involve teaching to a group or individual, andWhere we can identify (to a certain extent) what was taught.They are personal and sometimes shared.

7. start where you are...as a teacher

8. discussionDiscuss (First Group):Describe a really good teachingexperience you’ve had recently. What made it good? Why? Note: Responses on stickies (one idea per) and add to wall.Move:One person stay at the table to host the new group. Others please move to a new table. Host begins conversation by sharing what previous group discussed, using flipchart notes as illustrations.

9. discussionDiscuss (Second Group):What are the necessary ingredients to support great teaching experiences? Note: Responses on stickies (one idea per) and add to wall.

10. sharing ideas Place all stickies on paper wall Working together, cluster related ideasDevelop a name/title/theme for each cluster

11. observationsWhat patterns do you notice?Are you surprised by anything you see?Is there anything missing?Something you would like to move or highlight?Compare your stickies with those from previous World Cafes. What do you notice?

12. thank you!Outcomes to be assembled for UBC-V’s Learning Conference :October 28th, 2010More information about the Learning Conference or Celebrate Learning Week:http://celebratelearning.ubc.ca/