Students’ Perceptions of Active Learning Classrooms from an Informal Learning Perspective: Building a Full-Time Sustainable Learning Environment in Higher Education

Lei Peng, Shitao Jin, Yuan Deng and Yichen Gong
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Lei Peng: School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Shitao Jin: School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Yuan Deng: School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Yichen Gong: Department of Mathematics, New York University, Brooklyn, NY 10012, USA

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 14, 1-24

Abstract: Under the influence of education for sustainable development, active learning classrooms, as the new learning environment in higher education, have become increasingly diversified and flexible, with a greater emphasis on student experience and engagement. Most research on these learning environments is centered on formal learning analysis and discussion, whereas empirical research on the perception of informal learning in active learning classrooms outside of class time is lacking. Based on informal learning perceptions, this study explored the strengths and weaknesses of active learning classroom spatial environments using a mixed quantitative and qualitative research approach. Through a questionnaire survey of 154 students and one-on-one semi-structured interviews with 15 students, this study found that most students were satisfied with the informal learning experience in active learning classrooms, comfortable and flexible space perception and humanized learning support facilities in active learning classrooms were critical spatial factors influencing students’ informal learning, the private environment and positive learning atmosphere in active learning classrooms could promote students’ informal learning behaviors, and for active learning classrooms, better resource management could help them develop a better quality full-time learning environment. Based on these findings, this study makes recommendations for optimizing the environment design and management of active learning classrooms.

Keywords: sustainable education; higher education; learning environments; active learning classrooms; informal learning; student perceptions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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