With changing landscape, different types of learning spaces are required in addition to existing structures like school/college, workshops, tuition/coaching centers etc.
As we have coworking spaces for entrepreneurs similarly these are the co-learning spaces for learners.
Learning has various aspects covering self-study, peer learning and learning from mentors. Hence these learning centers offer spaces for every aspect of learning i.e.
- Self Study Area: This is a conducive environment where silence is maintained providing a table, chairs, power sockets, and internet connectivity. Learner can use their books/laptop to study
- Peer Discussion Area: This offer sitting capability accompanied by a cafe facility. This can be thought of as a meeting/conference room in a coworking space.
- Mentor Access: This space may offer some spaces for learning looking to talk to mentors or attend some classes and workshops
How Learning Spaces are different from Libraries:
In the existing spaces, people tend to name them as Library but Library and Learning spaces are fundamentally different.
- Libraries are primarily perceived as reference book lending/reading facilities. People think that their primary objective is book reference. And the secondary purpose is providing a reading space to study those books and references. In these libraries (private, government-run, inside educational institutions), learners are not allowed to take their books inside. Hence, in this case, the fundamental purpose of “Self Study Area” is defeated
- In today’s environment, most people prefer to buy their own books or read them as ebooks. Hence people are finding it difficult to relate the importance of “Co-Learning” within libraries
Existing Running Models – Reading Rooms
There are few learning spaces also known as reading rooms/libraries running in areas where a lot of students are living and preparing for competitive examinations. These spaces name itself as libraries and provide only “Self Study Area” facilities. They provide a table, chair, air-conditioned environment, wifi, tea/coffee, some additional space to have lunch etc. But in general, very few people are aware of these libraries and the majority of the people relate library with book lending facility
Existing Libraries are Reading rooms are mostly out of reach for school students as self-studying area.
- Either these spaces are at distant places and hence for a school student it’s not viable to travel that long and use these spaces
- Some of these are only allowing members who are more than 18-year-old, which itself takes away the option from school students
Why even a separate Room in Home is not enough
Sometimes people think that having a separate room is good enough. As it saves travel time, membership cost, the distraction of meeting new people, safety etc.
Consider this analogy, even though most people can exercise at home, still they join Gym as it helps them get into space where other people are also inspired to achieve the same. Hence motivation is required to enter into space but once we are there, we exercise. But when we are at home, we tend to skip some days or skip some routines etc.
Same way, self-study area provides an inspiring environment where once you have started using it, you will feel more energetic and enthusiastic to continue studying there.
Learning Centers:
- The importance of Life Long Learning is clearly visible in the age of fast-changing technology and skills. Hence even professional needs to constantly upgrade themselves to keep up with the changing world. These learning centers are useful for these people
- With content delivery moving to digital devices, still, a need for learning space exist. A lot many MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) could not sustain as they provided the content but could not create model to create an inspired environment
- With new types of “Education” models like homeschooling being practiced by many, these spaces would be helpful for them too.
About Author:
I am Vikas Jain, founder of “The Real Education”. I have studied in one such learning spaces during my journey and realized the importance of such spaces in our learning. Since then I have been promoting such learning spaces as in future-ready education, learning centers would place a crucial role.