Seeking a group workspace? 8 West 1.28 is open for bookings!

Are you keen to run interactive group-work sessions with your students? Or are you a group of students needing space for a project? Then look no further than 8 West 1.28 - open and available for bookings!

Earlier this year, as part of the University's General Teaching Accommodation refurbishment programme, we launched a new and exciting group workspace for group working, teaching and study. Room 8 West 1.28 has the flexibility of being available for a full teaching session or each workzone can be booked out individually by groups of up to six students. Equipped with leading edge workzones and audio-visual equipment, designed and built by TeamMate, an innovative supplier of contemporary business and learning media solutions, 8 West 1.28 provides the perfect environment for collaborative and interactive learning and teaching.

One of our lecturers from the Department of Social & Policy Sciences, Hannah Durrant, has been using 8 West 1.28 with her students to run simulation games. Feedback from Hannah and her students has been hugely positive.

Hannah said:

'I have been looking to engage my students in a more interactive and meaningful way and have found the facilities in 8 West 1.28 provide the perfect environment to do this. The five workstations enable the students to work comfortably in small groups and have the technology at their fingertips to explore resources on the web and utilise specific software during the session. I have been running a simulation game with them to increase their understanding of complex policy-making principles and processes and this model of learning is working very effectively.'

When we launched 8 West 1.28, Professor Bernie Morley, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching) said:

‘This is the future for learning environments. Group work in a supported environment fits well with the intention to develop strong independent learning and the technology offered allows students to test and develop their intellectual and technological skills. Both aspects will prepare students well for placement and employability. I also expect that staff will enjoy teaching in this space as much as students will enjoy learning in them.’

The room’s key features include:

•    five group workzones equipped with LCD screens
•    each workzone with power supply, docking stations, internet connections and headphone sockets
•    lecturer’s workstation equipped with full audio-visual system
•    five glass writing boards

You can book this room by contacting the Timetabling Team directly.