The e-Learning Café project of the University of Porto: innovative learning spaces, improving students' engagement in active and collaborative learning

Abstract

This paper reports the ongoing research project headed by the University of Porto (U.Porto) and the research group Centre of Spatial Representation and Communication (CCRE), from de R&D Centre of its Faculty of Architecture (FAUP), which aims the design and study of hybrid spatial environments: e-Learning Centres. The state of the art review discusses the significance of informal physical learning spaces for learning activities in academic education. The most important outcomes of research are mentioned, resuming the strategy applied for the e-Learning Café of Asprela. Outcomes from the daily activities and of studying critically its space configuration in relation to the users' social behaviour are addressed. Finally, the strategy for the design and upgrade of the new e-Learning Café for Porto's Botanical Garden is undertaken. Our main objective is to present and discuss the contribution of the e-Learning Café project of the U.Porto and of the successful implementation of its program, focused on learning physical spaces able to combine social interaction with diverse pedagogical and cultural activities, all of which have proven to be an important relational dimension for all the people working or studying at U. Porto and an asset to foster the openness of the University to the society.