Slides for setting the context for a discussion on the question: what does an ideal learning environment look like?

1. UBC’s World Cafe What is an ideal learning environment?

2. facilitators Jan Johnson: Manager, Facilitation and Process Design Cindy Underhill: Learning Resource Design Strategist Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT)

3. what we’re aiming for... A documented collection of your ideas about the ideal learning environment: What is it? What do we need in order to support it?

4. how we’ll get there.. Discussion Sticky notes for ideas Grouping ideas according to themes/patterns Collective observations

5. definitions for clarity... Learning environments refer to the context in which we learn and teach. This includes place, people, resources. Typically include four components: An enabling context (physical or online space to bring people together) Resources (library, internet, people) A set of tools (tools to help learners process information, manipulate data, and discuss) Scaffolds (problem solving supports) Hannafin, Land, & Oliver, 1999. from: http://www.edtech.vt.edu/edtech/id/models/environs.html

6. definitions for clarity Learning experiences are those events and activities from which: We learn, and We can identify(to a certain extent) what we have learned. They are personal and often shared. Teaching experiences are those events and activities: Which involve teaching to a group or individual, and Where we can identify (to a certain extent) what was taught. They are personal and sometimes shared.

7. start where you are... as a learner

8. discussion Discuss (First Group): Describe a really good learning experience you’ve had recently. What made it good? Why? Note: Responses on stickies (one idea per) and add to wall. Move: One person stay at the table to host the new group. Others please move to a new table. Host begins conversation by sharing what previous group discussed, using flipchart notes as illustrations.

9. discussion Discuss (Second Group): What are the necessary ingredients to support great learning experiences? Note: Responses on stickies (one idea per) and add to wall.

10. sharing ideas Place all stickies on paper wall Working together, cluster related ideas Develop a name/title/theme for each cluster

11. observations What patterns do you notice? Are you surprised by anything you see? Is there anything missing? Something you would like to move or highlight? Compare your stickies with those from previous World Cafes. What do you notice?

12. thank you! Outcomes to be assembled for UBC-V’s Learning Conference : October 28th, 2010 More information about the Learning Conference or Celebrate Learning Week: http://celebratelearning.ubc.ca/