How campus design

influences student learning

Zaina Afandi, Wed Naseem, Abdullah Alobaidan, Dylan Reno

Professor. Cindy Stevens

Research Methods in Business

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Table of Contents
Executive Summary.. 3

Definitions 4

Introduction.. 5

Thesis Statement.. 6

Research objectives. 7

Methodology....... 8

Limitations...... 9

Literature review.... 10

Sample Survey....... 16

Data Collection...... 18

Data Analysis. 23

Conclusion 27

Recommendations28

Bibliography......29

Executive Summary

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 The quad of a college campus has long been a staple common ground for all students of the

school to use as a place to socialize and study. As students here at Wentworth Institute of

Technology we have noticed that the quad is greatly underused, and there seems to be little to no

effort by the school to change that. Through one and a half years at the school, we have seen that

only a few if any students are using the quad at a time, and we believe that if given the right

equipment and opportunities that the quad can be changed into a hub of student activity.

The present research aims to develop understanding of how academic spaces should be

planned and constructed in order to provide students with the perfect academic and

environmental opportunity. The study will consider how universities and colleges contribute to

create better outdoor environments for their students. Our research will be more concentrated on

an academic outdoor space specifically looking at the quad here at Wentworth Institute of

Technology.

Definitions

Underused: insufficient use.

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Holistic: characterized by comprehension of the parts of something as intimately interconnected
and explicable only by reference to the whole.

Fortifies: strengthen or invigorate (someone) mentally or physically.

Correlates: have a mutual relationship or connection, in which one thing affects or depends on
another.

Utilize: make practical and effective use of.

Yield: the full amount of an agricultural or industrial product.

Gadgets: a small mechanical device or tool, especially an ingenious or novel one.

Staple: a main or important element of something, especially of a diet.

Construe: interpret (a word or action) in a particular way.

Scarcely: only a very short time before.

Introduction

In todays highly dynamic and challenging work environment, students need to be multi-

talented which is only possible if they were offered an opportunity to learn in different

environments. With the rise of mobile and internet people are confined to their gadgets most of

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the time, which is impacting their ability to deal face to face. Limiting students to classrooms do

not fulfil their study needs. Providing students with ways to learn in a team environment can be

the best way in this situation, so it is highly desired that Quad should be opened for study related

activities.

At Wentworth Institute of Technology, the Quad, which is the main outdoor space, is

primarily being used for relaxation. Quad like any other outdoor study area can be more effective

if it is utilized for study related activities. Using quad for study related activities can be very

beneficial for students because exposing them to nature can yield extraordinary results. Working

in groups at a central place enables the students to directly understand the value of teamwork and

working towards achieving common goals. Working in a facilitated group also enables each

student to identify their personal strengths and weaknesses which teaches them the art of

achieving success in a challenging of situations. Outdoor study is a form of simple physical

exercise promoting healthy living.

Thesis Statement

The Quad at Wentworth Institute of Technology is mainly used for relaxation instead of

schoolwork. We as Wentworths Students believe that the quad has 80% more academic potential

that is being wasted. Building out door academic space would lead to an increase in academic

uses.

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 Research Objectives

The research will include the following objectives:

Review of the current practice of Wentworth Institute of Technologys students in quad.

Provide a comprehensive review of sources and information found regarding academic spaces.
An Indications of the improvements that Wentworths students would like to see in the quad.
Outline of suggested improvements and how to re-construct and design the quad in an

academically beneficial way.

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Methodology

In order to be more efficient in conducting the study, given its outdoors nature, there are

specific methods that will insure accurate results. The methods we decided to use to be more

effective were surveys as well as strategic observation to see the activity going on in the quad

firsthand. Next, we had to use the information gathered to compile a list of features that need to

be added as well as components that should be removed or modified based on other academic

spaces as models. Once the list is compiled, the additions that were most popular on the survey

will be added to the design of the quad.

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Limitations

The research was conducted within nine weeks, which was not enough time for us to observe

all of the students. It would have been better and more accurate if we had more time to record

more results. Secondly, the questionnaire we designed to measure the students' behavior towards

the outdoor area might help us gain more accurate insight about how nature and outdoor areas

impact the students.

During our research into the effectiveness of the quad, there were some limits put on our

study that could possibly construe our figures. One big example is the correlation between the

time of day, and what students were doing activity wise in the quad. We planned to observe the

students at certain times of the day, but knew a direct link would be that students were not in the

quad during some A.M hours as well as later in the evening. In order to get accurate results we

had to observe only during peak hours, which could have caused a problem with conflicting

schedules. Weather also qualified as a limitation as the days it rained we were unable to gather

any information about the quad through observation. Apart from the observation portion of our

research, the fifth question on the survey, asking whether or not the survey participant uses the

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quad at all, poses a possible issue if the information tells us they are using the quad scarcely.

This is due to the information which will semi-prove our hypothesis that the quad is ineffective,

but make the other questions on the survey ineffective. To work around this survey issue, we will

still ask people who do not visit the quad what they would like to see in the quad to increase the

academic effect of the outside environment. However, because of this they will be unable to

answer the other questions limiting us to only a certain amount of information.

Literature review

Being in a place surrounded by nature helps the learning process. The outdoor

environment delivers and provides a person with energy, good vibes, and less stress. Therefore,

when students are surrounded by nature it opens up their minds and makes them more at ease. To

fully understand how the quad can improve students skills, we have to look at different sources

that can provide us with information and ideas about effective learning spaces. The scholarly

articles that we will be looking at will bring a fresh take on learning environments and how they

affect students learning.

The relationship between school and landscape environments, and how surroundings can

affect the learning process and can be beneficial for students. Pearson's researchers have selected

a random school in the Klang- Langat Valley to study and observe the outdoor areas of the school

campus. The result exposed a significant correlation with very poor and moderate stages of the

function of the landscapes in supporting the learning process (Ali,1). Schools should put more

effort to build and design an academically beneficial outdoor area (Ali,8). how some researchers

have collected data to understand if outdoor areas of certain schools are academically benefiting

students or not. Since we need to examine the quad this resource can provide us with some

strategies and methods that can help us with our study.

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 University Planning and Architecture is a book written by Jonathan Coulson, Roberts,

and Isabelle Taylor. The book documents the evolution of campus planning in different parts of

the world through different eras and illustrates how social, cultural, and environmental factors

influence the academic design of each era. The authors demonstrated many highly illustrated

case-studies about how universities have succeeded in making positive contributions to the field

while planning and constructing their campuses (Coulson ,2). It combines universities planning

methodologies that developers, planners, and architects have used for a very long time to help

people that are concerned and interested in planning a higher education environment. For

example, Thomas Jefferson established a meaningful design supporting a unique structure that

embodied his academic philosophy (Coulson,36). Attention will be given to exploring how the

holistic and integrated nature of the campus and the environmental functionality of the site

provide opportunities for learning within spaces (Kujawa-Holbrook,4).

With its in depth exploration the direct correlation of design and the impaction on learning,

Physical and Virtual Learning Space in Higher Education is a book that speaks to many

opportunities that environmentally sensitive spaces could have on the higher education learning

experience. Giving examples from a college campus that has successfully implemented outdoor

learning spaces into the campus design. (Kujawa-Holbrook,6). This book provides important

information that strengthens our argument that outdoor learning environments/spaces impact the

learning experience on a college level by increasing interactions, conversations, and the flow of

the thoughts. Specific design examples used from higher education spaces convey the how

universities that are strategic with the design can have great outcomes.

Active learning spaces are restructured educational spaces which helps improve students

creative thinking. Traditional campuses design cannot satisfy the teaching and academic needs

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because the spaces lack the essential settings to carry out educational practices that target to

increase the students ability of problem solving, collaboration and many other things

(Baepler,2). Colleges and universities are restructuring learning spaces on the foundations of the

twenty-first century experiences and technologies and examining the outcomes of these

environments on education and academic practices (Baeplar,1). The main characteristics of an

active learning space are, advanced technical equipment, movable and flexible furniture,

effective communication and feedback, and a comfortable teaching environment (Baeplar,2).

Technology is also a significant aspect in the learning environments. Information technology has

reshaped and influenced the construction and design for buildings, especially in the workplace

but in outdoor areas and campuses (Laing, 5). The resource written by Laing explained some

important and essential features that campuses and learning spaces should consider while

planning and designing an academic space. we are examining how these features will improve

the quad in a way that it could have more academic potential than it does now.

A similar concept to active learning spaces is situated learning spaces. The book

Computer and Education discusses the science behind situated learning environments also

known as SLEs. Using direct experiments to uncover the direct link between SLEs and student

performance, the passage shows proof that an outdoor learning environment can have a positive

effect on any student's performance. The author states that data collected from this experiment

indicate that the students who worked in the Bidirectional SLE (1) received better scores,

providing better and more complete answers, and (2) evaluated their learning experience better

than their peers' who worked in the Traditional SLE. (Prez-Sanagustn,3) The further fortifies

of the bigger argument and environment has shown an impact on students on campus. In this

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case our quad, there can be a positive impact on student performance if it was constructed and

presented in a better manner.

Outdoor learning engaging with nature environment provide opportunities to improve

academic achievement and social emotional intelligence for students (Mirrahimi,1). The features

of landscape have influence to develop acquiring awareness in natural environment, training for

sustainability and various green systems, learning in a number of subject areas such as science

and learning by smelling, feeling, and tasting (Mirrahimi,2). Green schools support personal and

social wellbeing at various students' levels. In addition, students can learn how to work together

to take responsibilities such as planting by group learning. Access to nature was supposed to

develop self-confidence, responsibilities, sense of pride, cooperate, solving problems in

classroom, and relationships between students and teachers (Mirrahimi,1). This paper will

support our thesis because it describes how a good design outdoor learning space engaging with

nature is an important role to promote student's abilities such as academic achievement and

social behaviors.

Just like the other studies previously quoted, the article Students Perception of Learning

Environment: A Baseline Study for Identifying Areas of Concern at a Private Medical College,

Bangladesh by Hafiza A, Al-Mahmood AK, Islam S, Afrin SF , Khan SA , and Susie JS, stresses

just how much of an impact a positive learning environment can have on students. This article

defines a learning environment as something that encompass student/ teacher interactions,

teaching, and learning activity, good physical resources and students psychosocial and emotional

aspects that are experienced by students and other stakeholders in a learning institution (Hafiza

A 235). The quad of a college campus, which our study focuses on, is one of the keys to a

successful learning environment. The quad is the at the heart of the students psychosocial and

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emotional aspects, as it provides the perfect place for students to thrive both in the book as well

as socially. The article then continues on by saying how that the learning environment has been

linked for many years to student achievement, satisfaction and success. Consideration of the

learning environment in an education institution, along the lines of continuous quality

improvement and innovation is likely to further improve the learning outcomes of the school.

Therefore, the learning environment is an important consideration for producing highly

competent graduates and a good approach to and systematic design of the learning environment

can lead to good outcomes for graduates (Hafiza A 235). This demonstrates how the quad, which

directly correlates to how effective the learning environment can be, if used efficiently and

properly could have a great impact on how students perform in the classroom.

The book Learning Spaces: Creating Opportunities for Knowledge Creation in

Academic Life by Maggi Savin-Baden provides a fresh look at learning spaces as she goes in

depth on how new, different types of spaces are forming, and how they are progressing to the

modern student. Savin-Baden states that learning, knowledge, relationships, communication,

home and workplaces are no longer seen by staff and student as static, bounded, and uniform but

instead as ongoing, variable, and emergent (Savin-Baden 10). Looking at this new way of

learning could benefit a school in many ways. Demonstrates how in a new generation of students

some are able to work more effectively in a Quad like atmosphere.

Another article that study learning spaces is Learning Spaces in Academic Libraries A

Review of the Revolving Trends by Arlee Turner, Bernadette Welch, and Sue Reynolds. This

particular paper focuses on how academic libraries can be changed to make studying and the

students learning environment the most efficient and productive possible. In the section

Defining Learning Spaces the author states that, The learning spaces model furthers the

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mission of the learning commons by providing various formal and informal flexible learning

spaces that better facilitate learning. This shift in direction is inspired by the understanding that

spatial designs influence learning behaviors. As Oblinger (2006, 1.1) states, Space whether

physical or virtual can have an impact on learning. It can bring people together; it can

encourage exploration, collaboration, and discussion. Or, space can carry an unspoken message

of silence and disconnectedness (Turner 231). More examples of the new shift of the learning

pattern only strengthens the case that the academic potential the quad possesses is currently

being wasted. This would bring an opportunity to let students learn and interact with their peers

in a new and productive way.

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Sample Survey

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DataCollection

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Q3

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Data Analysis

Question One

As it's known the majority of Wentworth students are males. But as indicated in the first

question, there was a big gap between the males' and females' responses, where the females

responded 20% more than the males. The males, on the other hand, had a percentage of 40%. 1%

were in the "other" category.

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Question Two

The data collected in the second question shows that 30.12% of the survey responders are

sophomores. Whereas, 19.28% are juniors, 18% are seniors, 16.87% are graduate students, and

15.66% are freshmens.

Question Three

In terms of national origin, most of the respondents belong to Saudi Arabia. About 73

students replied to this question with 69% saying they belonged to Saudi Arabia. American

nationals were distance second who accounted for about 11% of the respondents. while

Venezuelan nationals came third with 5% of the respondents. There was also minor

representation from the nationals of India, Canada, United Arab Emirate, Palestine, Oman and

Jamaica.

Question Four

This question asked about where they are living while attending school. A total of eighty

students replied with more than 50% of them are regular commuters who live with their family.

About 25% of the respondents live in off-campus apartment. While about 20% of the

respondents live on campus.

Question Five

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 Based on the data collected in the fifth question of the survey, eighty-three students responded

to this question. 84.34% answered no, which indicated that the quad is not being used to its full

potential. On the other hand, 15.66% answered yes, with some specifying how they are using the

quad. eight people said they use the quad for studying, three people said they use it to chill with

their friends, and two people said they use the quad for relaxation

Question Six

In question six, as shown in the chart, the highest percentage was 37.80% which goes to the

students that have spent two to three hours studying on a daily basis. And 36.59% of the students

were studying one to two hours. Five to six hours were 19.51%. The lowest percentage was

6.10%, and these students spent seven hours and more.

Question Seven

In question seven People were asked where they most preferred to study. Out of 82 total

responses 8 people (9.76%) answered The Quad, 39 people (47.56%) answered The Library, and

35 people (42.68%) answered Residence. This question proves that the quad leaves a lot to be

desired on the academic front, as so few people prefer to study there.

Question Eight

For this question people were required to rank how effective they think the quad is for

relaxation purposes. The scale had ranks of Not Effective, Somewhat Effective, Effective, and

Extremely Effective. Out of 80 responses 20 people (25%) answered Not Effective, 30 people

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(37.5%) answered Somewhat Effective, 19 people (23.75%) answered Effective, and 11 people

(13.75%) answered Extremely Effective. These stats actually show that, even though the quads

main goal is relaxation, there seems to not be as much satisfaction in that category as previously

thought.

Question Nine

For this question people were required to rank how effective they think the quad is for

academic purposes. The scale had ranks of Not Effective, Somewhat Effective, Effective, and

Extremely Effective. Out of 81 responses 22 people (27.16%) answered Not Effective, 34 people

(41.98%) answered Somewhat Effective, 20 people (24.69%) answered Effective, and 5 people

(6.17%) answered Extremely Effective. These responses demonstrate our hypothesis, as about

69% of responses indicate either Not effective or Somewhat Effective. While on the other hand,

only 6.17% of people believe it is extremely effective, proving that the quad has much more

academic potential.

Question Ten

Question ten asks the participants to rank which addition they would most like to see come to

the quad. The choices were More Seating, More Shade, Architecture Drawing Boards, Power

Outlets, and Study Spaces. The responses seemed to be pretty even across the board as More

Seating averaged the lowest score with 3.28 while Power Outlets averaged the highest rank with

2.77. The others fell close in between with More Shade averaging 2.81, Study Spaces averaging

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2.99, and Architecture Drawing Boards averaging 3.01.

Conclusion

Thorough analysis of the respondent data indicates that the quad is not being used to its

full potential. We can see that on one hand, most of the students do not use the quad for any

purpose. On the other hand, most of the students also believe that the area has not been

effectively utilized for its academic nor relaxation purposes. Students also believe that the quad's

value can be improved by enhancing the facilities and utilities it offers for the students. These

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enhancements can include incorporating more engaging activities and relevant content for

college students depending on the time, as in holidays related activities at the end the year, and

election related things during elections season. With enhanced value and more diverse activities,

the quad can become a major hub of academic as well as extracurricular activities which would

lead to better outcomes for the students in terms of professional competence, skills and shared

knowledge. In conclusion, all of the above demands one thing, i.e. there is a great need to

enhance facilities at the quad.

Recommendation
In this section we provide recommendations that would help improve the quad of

Wentworths Institute of Technology in an academic way. After reviewing all the information we

gathered while conducting this research, and based on the data we collected from different

sources, we offer the following suggestions.

Our data suggests that Wentworths students would like to see more seating in the quad.

Based on our observation, we figured that the quad has limited seats that does not adequate the

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number of students. We recommend the school to consider redesigning the current seating areas

by adding more seats and tables. Another suggestion is, adding Architecture Boards. Based on

the survey results, Students ranked Architecture Boards as the second most important thing they

would like to see in the quad. Although it might be costly but it does have several potential

benefits that could improve the architecture students academic skills.

The data also demonstrates how students would love to see study spaces added to the

quad, and that they would choose to study outside if they had the chance. Adding spaces that are

specifically fit for students study needs such as quiet tables outside along with bigger tables for

group studying would really encourage students to study outside and use the quad.

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