More Than Chalkboards: Classroom Spaces and Collaborative Learning Attitudes

• In Event: 45.070 - Learning Environments and Physical Spaces

Abstract

The well-known benefits of collaborative learning have prompted the development of active learning classrooms that are designed to facilitate peer interaction. However, it is not well understood how learning spaces relate to students’ perceptions of collaborative learning. In this study, college students (N = 46) were enrolled the same course involving collaborating learning with one section taught in an active-learning classroom and one taught in a traditional lecture classroom. Results indicated that students perceived the active-learning classroom as much better suited to collaborative learning than the traditional lecture classroom. In addition, students in the active-learning classroom reported higher-levels of perceived value of collaborative learning both in terms of enjoyment and usefulness than did students in the traditional lecture classroom.

Authors

• Virginia E. Clinton, University of North Dakota

• Nicholas Wilson, University of North Dakota