Purpose – This paper aims to explore at Loughborough University (UK) how informal learning spaces... more Purpose – This paper aims to explore at Loughborough University (UK) how informal learning spaces (ILS) are used by students in the Library and elsewhere on campus. Focus includes learning activities undertaken by students, reasons why the ILS is chosen, suggestions on how they can be improved and how technologies are used. Comparison will be drawn between how students use Library ILS and other ILS. Design/methodology/approach – Case study based at Loughborough University and its Library. Semi-structured interviews were held with 265 students in various ILS spaces across campus. Findings – Similarities and differences are present in the way students use Library ILS compared with other ILS campus spaces. These include impact of campus geography and individual academic levels of students. Research limitations/implications – This is a single case study and the results can only relate to Loughborough University. There may be some lessons and themes that are relevant to other universities. The number of interviewees is relatively small. Practical implications – Highlights the need for cooperation between various university stakeholders to strategically and operationally manage different ILS on campus. Originality/value – This is one of the very few studies that investigate together the range of ILS including the Library in a comparative approach. Keywords University libraries, Case study, Informal learning spaces Paper type Research paper
Purpose – This paper aims to explore at Loughborough University (UK) how informal learning spaces... more Purpose – This paper aims to explore at Loughborough University (UK) how informal learning spaces (ILS) are used by students in the Library and elsewhere on campus. Focus includes learning activities undertaken by students, reasons why the ILS is chosen, suggestions on how they can be improved and how technologies are used. Comparison will be drawn between how students use Library ILS and other ILS. Design/methodology/approach – Case study based at Loughborough University and its Library. Semi-structured interviews were held with 265 students in various ILS spaces across campus. Findings – Similarities and differences are present in the way students use Library ILS compared with other ILS campus spaces. These include impact of campus geography and individual academic levels of students. Research limitations/implications – This is a single case study and the results can only relate to Loughborough University. There may be some lessons and themes that are relevant to other universities. The number of interviewees is relatively small. Practical implications – Highlights the need for cooperation between various university stakeholders to strategically and operationally manage different ILS on campus. Originality/value – This is one of the very few studies that investigate together the range of ILS including the Library in a comparative approach. Keywords University libraries, Case study, Informal learning spaces Paper type Research paper
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Papers by Rathod Laxman
(ILS) are used by students in the Library and elsewhere on campus. Focus includes learning activities
undertaken by students, reasons why the ILS is chosen, suggestions on how they can be improved and
how technologies are used. Comparison will be drawn between how students use Library ILS and other
ILS.
Design/methodology/approach – Case study based at Loughborough University and its Library.
Semi-structured interviews were held with 265 students in various ILS spaces across campus.
Findings – Similarities and differences are present in the way students use Library ILS compared with
other ILS campus spaces. These include impact of campus geography and individual academic levels of
students.
Research limitations/implications – This is a single case study and the results can only relate to
Loughborough University. There may be some lessons and themes that are relevant to other
universities. The number of interviewees is relatively small.
Practical implications – Highlights the need for cooperation between various university
stakeholders to strategically and operationally manage different ILS on campus.
Originality/value – This is one of the very few studies that investigate together the range of ILS
including the Library in a comparative approach.
Keywords University libraries, Case study, Informal learning spaces
Paper type Research paper
(ILS) are used by students in the Library and elsewhere on campus. Focus includes learning activities
undertaken by students, reasons why the ILS is chosen, suggestions on how they can be improved and
how technologies are used. Comparison will be drawn between how students use Library ILS and other
ILS.
Design/methodology/approach – Case study based at Loughborough University and its Library.
Semi-structured interviews were held with 265 students in various ILS spaces across campus.
Findings – Similarities and differences are present in the way students use Library ILS compared with
other ILS campus spaces. These include impact of campus geography and individual academic levels of
students.
Research limitations/implications – This is a single case study and the results can only relate to
Loughborough University. There may be some lessons and themes that are relevant to other
universities. The number of interviewees is relatively small.
Practical implications – Highlights the need for cooperation between various university
stakeholders to strategically and operationally manage different ILS on campus.
Originality/value – This is one of the very few studies that investigate together the range of ILS
including the Library in a comparative approach.
Keywords University libraries, Case study, Informal learning spaces
Paper type Research paper