Recommendations

LEARNING SPACE RECOMMENDATIONS for the OC Centre for Learning
By OC Classroom Committee, October 2007

Values
In a learning-centred organization formal and informal learning spaces come first.

Principles
Like every student, each classroom should be unique and reflect the heritage of Okanagan College and its surroundings.
The environment in each classroom should be controllable especially in terms of light, technology, and climate.
The classrooms should be designed to reflect the future of learning and teaching.

Strategies for Principle 1—Uniqueness
Evoke circularity in each space
Use circular, triangular, and rectangular, etc. tables to evoke our plethora of teaching styles
Use appealing maple or birch coloured doors with translucency
Create ONE unique feature wall in each classroom (i.e. fireplace, stone wall, wood wall, lower ceiling, water feature, glass wall, LCD wall between labs, feature wall)
Use one campus region as the colour theme for a particular floor.
Use aboriginal names for the classrooms
Explore cork, linoleum, and other sound-absorbing flooring materials in larger classrooms

Strategies for Principle 2—Controllable
High quality black out curtains or blinds
Plan lighting to avoid over-lighting the projector screens
Both direct and indirect lighting
Wall plug-ins for student use
At least one folding wall between classrooms

Strategies for Principle 3—Future proof
Built-in lockable storage
Allow the ability to eat together (i.e. potluck dinners) in the classroom
Transparent podiums
Live native grasses in hallways
Doors between classrooms

Furniture Recommendations
All furniture in formal and informal space must be new
All tables and chairs should be portable, easy to move, and stackable
All tables should reflect at least three different shapes: ie. Circular, triangular, rectangular. Each table should seat at least four learners.
Chairs should be comfortable and easy to move.
Where there is hard-flooring, insulated carpets for teachers should be provided

Committee Members:
Sandra Kenefick
Paul Stephenson
Kate Gilcrist
Barry McGillvray
James Cobles
Mike Minions
Wilma van der Veen
Stan Chung