Learning From Our Studentsx

What They Can Teach Us About Library Spaces, Services, and

Research Practices

8th AMICAL ConferenceApril 27 – 30, 2011 Beirut, Lebanon

The Project

• Overall objectives– Learn Participatory

Design methods to learn about student work practices and needs

– Answer questions about building renovation and construction

– Support development of academic programs and services

8th AMICAL ConferenceApril 27 – 30, 2011 Beirut, Lebanon

The Project

• Three sites– American

University of Central Asia

– American University of Nigeria

– John Cabot University

8th AMICAL ConferenceApril 27 – 30, 2011 Beirut, Lebanon

The Sites

• Many similarities– Size of student

body– Not enough library

space– Students’ academic

challenges

• Some differences– Urban/rural– Europe/Asia/Africa– Infrastructure

8th AMICAL ConferenceApril 27 – 30, 2011 Beirut, Lebanon

Traditional Design

• Experts decide what to build and how to build it

• Only “some experts” participate – for example, architects and engineers

• These experts assume they know what is best for everyone

8th AMICAL ConferenceApril 27 – 30, 2011 Beirut, Lebanon

Traditional Design

• What happens when only some experts participate in design and development?– The things they build may not work

in the local context– They may base their designs on

faulty assumptions

8th AMICAL ConferenceApril 27 – 30, 2011 Beirut, Lebanon

8th AMICAL ConferenceApril 27 – 30, 2011 Beirut, Lebanon

Participatory Design• Everyone participates in designing

the space or services facilitated by a social scientist:– Architects participate as experts in

designing the building– Engineers participate as experts in

constructing the building– Students participate as experts in how

students will learn in the building– Others participate in their areas of

expertise

8th AMICAL ConferenceApril 27 – 30, 2011 Beirut, Lebanon

Participatory Design

• Methods of participation– Observations– Interviewing– Design workshops– Photos, maps, and

more

8th AMICAL ConferenceApril 27 – 30, 2011 Beirut, Lebanon

Today’s Session

• Presentations from each of the three sites– American University of Nigeria– American University of Central Asia– John Cabot University

• General significance and value• Q&A

8th AMICAL ConferenceApril 27 – 30, 2011 Beirut, Lebanon

American University of NigeriaYola, Nigeria