Learning Common

Located on Bush Court, the Learning Common is a visible indication of Murdoch’s commitment to enhancing the student learning experience. The Learning Common will provide a ‘one-stop shop’ for student learning and services. It is chiefly funded by Murdoch’s allocation of $2.034 million from the 2006 Learning and Teaching Performance Fund and will facilitate students’ engagement with the university by providing them with a sense of connectedness with each other, staff and the institution.

The concept of the Learning Common has grown from a need to respond to the widespread use of information technology for learning and teaching. For the past few years libraries across North America and Australia have been modifying their facilities and services to accommodate new needs for learning and social spaces, learning facilities, and learning support services. Murdoch client surveys indicate a degree of dissatisfaction with the number of available workstations in the Library. The Learning Common, with its aggregation of workstations and dedicated spaces for wireless use of laptops, accompanied by a range of support services, will significantly improve existing facilities.

Focus on First years

The Learning Common will be a ‘one-stop-shop’ which will provide first year students with a whole of university integrated service to support their transition to university. Murdoch’s First Year Co-ordinator will operate from the Learning Common. Students’ success and retention at University can be connected to students feeling they are welcomed. The Learning Common will facilitate connectedness through:

• Just in time information and advice from the First Year Co-ordinator
• Accessible academic support from Student Learning staff
• Advice and resources provided by Library staff
• Assistance with IT and access to an increased number of workstations
• Learning spaces – group and individual study spaces and teaching spaces
• Assistance with enrolments and fee-paying through Student Services after hours
• Murdoch Print for assistance with all student printing needs, including print-on-demand unit materials

Integrated Services

Many of the support services needed by all students, not just first years will be available in one place. This is an important development in an environment where so many students work long hours, and have little time to find their way around the range of services available. Located on Bush Court, the Learning Common is part of a central service precinct, providing a welcoming and attractive venue, security, extended opening hours including 24x7 computer access as well as staff assistance.

The Learning Common will be located on North Wing Levels 2 and 3 and Link Levels 2 & 3. Activity related to the project will commence on 27 November, and is scheduled for completion in May 2007. This is an exciting project and will provide enhanced learning spaces, workstations, teaching spaces, new entrance to the Library and accessibility to Bush Court as well as spaces for support staff.

There will be some disruption to services and we will post details on our website.

Designers' Impressions of Learning Common

Ivan Machin Design, 2006