Universities today have more to worry about than just the academic aspect. When browsing for higher learning institutions, students look at the college experience as a whole, taking into consideration every detail. “American higher education institutions face unique twenty-first century changes and challenges in providing good, holistic learning spaces for the diverse and evolving needs of today’s college student.” (“Recognizing Campus Landscapes as Learning Spaces.” Journal of Learning Spaces [Online], 4.1 (2015)) As stated in the article, young people expect to see a different environment when they go to a university. The landscape, the way that the classes are built, the dorms, green spaces, and any other aspect of the architecture of a university plays a huge role in the college experience. If you are a city person, you will prefer a city-like institution; the same goes for people who like small towns, they will prefer a small institution.
“Today’s university must be resilient spaces in which the learning environment encompasses more than technology upgrades, classroom additions, and its academic buildings – in fact, the entire campus, including its open spaces, must be perceived as a holistic learning space that provides a holistic learning experience (Gumprecht, 2003; Gutierrez, 2013; Kenny, Dumont, & Kenny, 2005).” (“Recognizing Campus Landscapes as Learning Spaces.” Journal of Learning Spaces [Online], 4.1 (2015)) Learning goes far beyond the traditional classrooms and textbooks. Yes, Apple computers and projectors are attractive, but young people from the 21st century like unordinary things. For example, having class outside. Students are more likely to learn with an outside class because it’s not usual for a professor to do this and therefore, will take advantage of the opportunity to learn everything that they can.
“As an integral part of the image, mission and goals of the university, Griffith (1994) reminds higher education communities “that open space must be treated as a scarce resource” (p.29) (“Recognizing Campus Landscapes as Learning Spaces.” Journal of Learning Spaces [Online], 4.1 (2015)). Earth’s population is constantly growing and it will only continue to grow. With that growth comes a greater number of buildings that are built and in effect reduce open space. As stated, open spaces should really be treated as a scare resource. Many universities have a large variety of options that they offer, however, not ever university has open spaces for students’ use. Students love to gather with a group of friends to study, to have a good time, or to simply relax and enjoy the open space. “By preserving and suitably integrating open spaces into the green infrastructure, universities can add value and quality to the campus environment by: forging a campus identity, creating a sense of community, curbing escalating campus density, serving social and recreational needs, providing environmental benefits, and facilitating fundraising and recruitment of both faculty and students (Griffith, 1994).” (“Recognizing Campus Landscapes as Learning Spaces.” Journal of Learning Spaces [Online], 4.1 (2015)) Having open spaces is beneficial to both universities and students. When a university has green spaces, they can add value to their school and students who attend this school with have open places to enjoy.
“Traditional campus indoor spaces, by necessity and function, provide ample opportunities for structured learning experiences that draw upon students’ direct attention. However, a student’s learning experience is not often balanced by unstructured or structured opportunities for drawing forth effortless, indirect attention that occur in human-nature interactions (Valles-Planells, et. al, 2014). Attention to a mix of different learning spaces that combine nature and interesting architecture (Orr, 2004) provide more options for regulating learning and restoration cycles.” (“Recognizing Campus Landscapes as Learning Spaces.” Journal of Learning Spaces [Online], 4.1 (2015)) A university education is a unique experience and every aspect of a university plays a role in that experience. Different students learn in different styles and it is sometimes difficult to adapt to different styles of learning. In order to achieve that adaptation, universities have to create a mix of learning spaces as well as spaces for other purposes around campus.
http://libjournal.uncg.edu/jls/article/view/972/777