Translating User Perspective into Spatial Design

Abstract

A rapid adoption of ICT innovations transforms the context of human activities and collaboration, the educational settings included. The context change at the same challenges the traditional spatial design paradigm calling for tools and approaches that are applicable to ICT enhanced practices. We take here an ecological approach presenting a work in progress in which we aim to develop a tool for capturing and translating user perspective in order to design innovative learning spaces for vocational education; the case is one of practical nursing. We apply a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. By focusing on the local practices and user perspective in cultural transition, we expect the refurbishment of educational settings to be informed in a way that makes it better rooted in the local conditions, and the transition thereby less disruptive for the users. Applying the same tool in post-implementation research for the assessment of the impact of the spatial rearrangements on training and learning would yield findings helpful in the design of hybrid educational settings.