"Learning is by both the biology and the ecology of the individual."- How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience and School"Learning spaces should accommodate the use of as many kinds of materials as possible and enable the display of and access to those materials by all participants. Learning space needs to provide the participants - instructors and students alike - with interactive tools that enable exploration, probing, and examination."- Malcom B. Brown, Educating the Net GenerationAVONDALE, Ariz.-Continuing its ongoing commitment to develop programs and facilities that engage students and support their retention and success, Estrella Mountain Community College is hosting a national focus session on the design of learning spaces. EDUCAUSE and Estrella Mountain, in partnership with the Maricopa Community Colleges, will present "Design of Informal Learning Spaces," September 14 and 15 on the Estrella Mountain campus.The session is part of EDUCAUSE's Education Learning Initiative (ELI) and brings together notable education leaders in the areas of integration of technology, environmental influence on the teaching and learning process, and the importance of learning space design to the retention and success of students.Scheduled to speak and participate in creative discussions are:• Philip Long, Senior Strategist for Academic Computing and Director of Learning Outreach for iCampus at MIT• Diana G. Oblinger, Vice President, EDUCAUSE• Malcom B. Brown, Director of Academic Computing at Dartmouth College• Ronald Bleed, Vice Chancellor, Information Technologies for the Maricopa Community College District• Nancy Chism, Associate Vice Chancellor for Indiana UniversityOn Friday, September 16, conference presenters will address faculty, administrators and facilities planners from the ten Maricopa Community Colleges in a similar session entitled, "Designing the Future Maricopa." Having recently passed its capital bond program with a 76% voter approval, the Maricopa Community Colleges are entering a ten-year building phase with all ten colleges adding new and updating current facilities to meet the demand of increasing growth. Over the three days, participants will examine how colleges can promote successful learning, inquiry, collaboration, and problem solving through the design of learning spaces. Conference participants will have a unique opportunity to interact, discuss and evaluate actual learning space models developed by Estrella Mountain in collaboration with Herman-Miller for Education and Goodmans Interior Structures.EDUCAUSE - ELIEDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. The mission of ELI is based on the belief that understanding learners is a prerequisite to successful learning. Learners bring unique learning styles, preconceptions, attitudes, and needs to the learning environment; they are individuals. Learn more at www.educause.edu. Herman Miller EducationHerman Miller's research-based, problem-solving approach to design directs how they find answers to the questions, what students and faculty need to learn and teach, what stimulates intellectual and social growth, and how the spirit of life-long learning can be nurture. Learn more and download research at www.hermanmiller.com and select "education".Goodmans Interior StructuresGoodmans Interior Structures, a third-generation family-owned company, is a local Herman Miller partner, focused on helping organizations transform space into functional, comfortable, and flexible environments that achieve short- and long-term objectives. Visit www.goodmans.info.Estrella Mountain - A Maricopa Community CollegeEstrella Mountain Community College is a Maricopa Community College and currently serves more than 13,000 students annually. Visit Estrella Mountain at www.estrellamountain.edu or the Maricopa Community Colleges at www.maricopa.edu.
