[03] Rethinking Learning Spaces for the Digital Age

Unknown Speaker

Hello and welcome back to Research Topics on Digital Education. I'm Elena Ferri and, as always, I'm joined by Elisabeth Kensington, Jack Iron, and Martin Nottingham. Today, we're diving into the role of learning spaces—both the physical and the virtual - in learning processes.

Elisabeth Kensington

Lovely to be here, Elena. We'll discuss together this topic starting from the article "Transforming Learning Spaces in the digitalization era: a bibliometric exploration of emerging trends" published in 2024 on the Journal of e-Learning and Knowledge Society. The authors - Roopali Kansal, Prabhjot Kaur, Harveen Bhandari - come from the Chitkara University in India. They explore the available scientific literature on learning spaces and analyze the past, current and future trends of this very interesting field of study in education.

Unknown Speaker

So, let's get started.

Elisabeth Kensington

The discussion on the role of space in education is not something new. However, in the study we are presenting, authors affirmed that there was just one publication in 1996, and especially after 2020, things just took off.

Martin Nottingham

Absolutely, Elisabeth. The pandemic was a catalyst, wasn't it? Suddenly, everyone was forced to rethink what a learning space even means. I mean, before COVID, most of the research was about physical classrooms, but after 2020, there was this huge spike in studies about online and blended environments. 2021 was the peak, if I remember right.

Jack Iron

Yeah, and I saw that firsthand at home. My kids—well, they went from regular classrooms to learning at the kitchen table, and then sometimes in their bedrooms, sometimes even outside on the porch. It was chaos at first, honestly. But, you know, after a while, they started to find their own rhythms. My youngest actually thrived with the flexibility, but my oldest missed the social side. It was a mixed bag, but it really showed how adaptable kids can be—and how much the environment matters.

Unknown Speaker

That's such a good point, Jack. The research backs that up, too. The number of studies on learning spaces jumped from 16 in 2020 to 27 in 2021, and then it dipped a bit, but the focus had shifted.

Elisabeth Kensington

It's not just the number of studies, is it? The themes have changed. We're seeing more about user experience, well-being, and how technology is integrated into these spaces. It's not just about where you sit, but how the space—physical or digital—supports learning and engagement.

Jack Iron

That brings us to this idea of the learning space as the "third educator." I love that phrase. It comes from Loris Malaguzzi, right? The idea is that, beyond family and school, the environment itself teaches us. It's not just a backdrop—it's an active participant in learning.

Martin Nottingham

Yes, exactly. I remember the first time I walked into a flexible classroom—tables on wheels, open spaces, little nooks for group work. It was a revelation. The students just... well, they came alive. Participation shot up, and even the quieter ones found their place. It made me realize how much the space shapes the way we interact and learn.

Unknown Speaker

There's a lot of research supporting that, Martin. It's not just about aesthetics—it's about how the space supports mental processes.

Jack Iron

Yeah, and it's not just the physical stuff, either. Sometimes it is relevant to think also the value, the role that "learning space" acquire for us, when they are designed for us and become a valuable part of our daily life.

Elisabeth Kensington

That's a great point, Jack. And it's interesting—some studies show that when students have a say in how their space is set up, they're more engaged. But often, the design process leaves out the learners themselves. It's usually the teachers, designers, and management making the decisions.

Martin Nottingham

Which is a bit backwards, isn't it? If we're aiming for learner-centered education, shouldn't the learners have a voice in shaping their environment? Flexibility and adaptability are key, but so is participation.

Unknown Speaker

And let's not forget well-being. The research is clear—things like noise, lighting, and even furniture can have a big impact on students' mental and physical health.

Jack Iron

So, where's the research heading now? From what I've seen in the article we are discussing today, there are four big clusters: innovative school building design, integration of technology, well-being and impact of learning spaces on students’ cognition, behavior, motivation and achievements.

Elisabeth Kensington

Yes, and it's interesting—there's a lot of excitement about things like virtual reality, the Internet of Things, and smart classrooms. How digital environments are structured and organized is equally important nowadays when many students and professionals use online spaces for their training. How does all this affect digital learners' well-being? Online spaces must be as carefully designed as physical ones.

Unknown Speaker

Most of the studies are still qualitative, and if you look at the global picture, most of the research is still coming from developed countries—Australia, the Netherlands, the UK, the US. There's a real gap when it comes to studies from developing nations, which is something we need to address if we're going to understand the full picture.

Martin Nottingham

That's a concern, isn't it? If we're not looking at well-being, we're missing a huge part of the picture. And if we're not including voices from developing countries, we're not seeing the full diversity of experiences. There's a real need for more inclusive research.

Jack Iron

Yeah, and I think that's why we need ongoing studies—like bibliometric analyses to track new trends as they emerge. Otherwise, we risk falling behind the reality on the ground.

Elisabeth Kensington

And maybe, as we discussed in our last episode about making educational videos engaging, it's about being flexible and willing to adapt. The same goes for learning spaces—physical or digital. We have to keep experimenting and listening to what students actually need.

Martin Nottingham

Well said, Elisabeth. It's about serving students, after all. The space—whether it's a classroom, a videoconference, or a virtual learning environment—should help them grow as learners, as citizens, as people.

Unknown Speaker

I think that's a great note to end on. There's still so much to explore, and we'll definitely be following these trends in future episodes. Thanks, everyone, for the thoughtful discussion. And thank you to our listeners for joining us today.

Jack Iron

Thanks, Elena. Always a pleasure. See you all next time.

Elisabeth Kensington

Goodbye, everyone. Take care and keep questioning your learning spaces!

Martin Nottingham

Goodbye, all. Keep learning, wherever you are.