Learning Commons@HKIEd

HKIEd continuously strives to provide the best possible educational environment that stimulates innovation and creativity in the students. To achieve this, the campus is redesigned to create a better learning support environment. Among other things, IT infrastructure and facilities are the key elements. In January 2008, an initiative called ¡§Project FITIE ¡V Flexible IT Environment for Innovation in Education¡¨ was introduced to revamp traditional computing laboratories on the lower podium of Block C into a flexible and dynamic learning environment called ¡§Learning Commons¡¨. Under such concept, students can conduct discussions and communicate freely in the area that is designed to be conducive to creativity, collaboration and sharing of knowledge and experience. In the integrated environment, students can also access all types of learning resources which are currently available in the Library, Language Centre and ITS. Upon completion, the new design of learning area on the lower podium of Block C is expected to accommodate 300 students.

Architect AD+RG was commissioned to work with EO and ITS on the design. A consultation briefing was conducted in March 2009. The project is managed by EO while ITS provides subsequent operational support. The renovation works started in June 2009 and completed in November 2009.

A Learning Commons is a dynamic and collaborative environment on campus that provides assistance to students and also staff with learning, information and research needs. It combines individual and group study space where a variety of sources and support services are easily accessible. Its main purpose is to make learning easier and more efficient.

Lower podium of Block C is at the centre of the whole campus and beneath the Mong Man Wai Library. Most of the facilities in C-LP are over 10 years old and it is time to revamp the area to meet the changing needs.

• Two computer laboratories, including one open access lab, were demolished to make room for an open discussion area, small-group discussion rooms, media area, tutorial rooms and a cafe area.
• Office of ITS was relocated to make room for the extension of Learning Commons
• Provisions to facilitate the use of personal notebook computers, such as wireless network and power sockets, were installed. „X
• The corridors and open areas in B4-LP, C-LP and D1-LP were revamped
• ITS Help Desk was relocated in the Learning Commons area to continue providing support to the students.
• 24-hour open access computer laboratory was relocated in the Learning Commons area to continue providing 24-hours services with PCs and network printers.

Located on the lower podium of Block C, the Learning Commons offers study space, wireless network, Library and IT services to support academic learning and collaborative work for the students and staff. The Learning Commons could aggregate our students for collaboration and facilitate them to become self-directed learners.

The major facilities in the Learning Commons include:

Learning Commons @ HKIEd

A Video Conferencing Room

Group discussion room

Multipurpose room

Open discussion area

Learning Technologies Corner

• Open discussion areas
• A gathering / TV area
• Small group discussion rooms
• A multipurpose room
• Learning Technologies Corner
• A 24-hour open access computer room
• Print-N-Go printing stations
• An audio-visual room
• A video conferencing room
• Library area
• A rehearsal / activity room

The whole area is covered by wireless network and installed with lots of power sockets to facilitate the use of notebook computers to gain access to the vast resources from the Internet easily. The ITS Help Desk is also located in the area for convenient access of IT services.

Some discussion rooms are equipped with a computer and whiteboard for collaborative project discussion, while the multipurpose room is installed with a smart board and projector that will be useful for conducting teaching classes, holding meetings and other activities. Please reserve the room at http://ibooking.ied.edu.hk if you would like to use it.

Subject to the availability of funding, the Institute will continue to find suitable venues to build more Learning Commons to provide good educational environment for our students and staff.

• CityU Library Project -  http://www.cityu.edu.hk/lib/renovation/video-eng.htm
• The Educause eBook on Learning Common : http://www.educause.edu/books/learningspaces/10569
• Northwestern University : http://www.educause.edu/Chapter30.NorthwesternUniversity%3AInformationCommons/11928
• University of Chicago : http://www.educause.edu/Chapter40.UniversityofChicago%3AUSITE%2FCrerarComputingClusterandCybercaf%E9/11938