Resumen de The e-Learning Café project of the University of Porto: innovative learning spaces, improving students’ engagement in active and collaborative learning

Pedro Neto, Andrea Vieira, Ligia María Ribeiro, María Pinto

• español

  Este artículo informa sobre la investigación en curso encabezada por la Universidad de Porto y el grupo de investigación del Centro de Comunicaciones y Representación Espacial del Centro de I+D de la Facultad de Arquitectura (FAUP), que tiene como objetivo el estudio y el diseño de los entornos de espacios híbridos: los centros de aprendizaje en línea. Nuestro principal objetivo es presentar y analizar la contribución de la Universidad de Porto en el proyecto E-Learning Café y la implementación con éxito de su programa centrado en los espacios físicos de aprendizaje capaces de combinar la interacción social con diversas actividades pedagógicas y culturales. Todo ello ha demostrado ser una importante dimensión relacional para las personas que trabajan o estudian en la Universidad de Porto y un activo que fomenta la apertura de dicha universidad a la sociedad.

• English

  This paper reports the ongoing research project headed by the University of Porto (U.Porto) and the research group Centre of Spatial Representation and Communication, from de R&D Centre of its Faculty of Architecture (FAUP), which aims the design and study of hybrid spatial environments: E-Learning Centres.

  The state of the art review discusses the significance of informal physical learning spaces for learning activities in academic education. The most important outcomes of research are mentioned, resuming the strategy applied for the E-Learning Café of Asprela.

  Outcomes from the daily activities and of studying critically its space configuration in relation to the users’ social behaviour are addressed. Finally, the strategy for the design and upgrade of the new E-Learning Café for Porto’s Botanical Garden is undertaken.

  Our main objective is to present and discuss the contribution of the E-Learning Café project of the U.Porto and of the successful implementation of its program, focused on learning physical spaces able to combine social interaction with diverse pedagogical and cultural activities, all of which have proven to be an important relational dimension for all the people working or studying at U. Porto and an asset to foster the openness of the University to the society.