Values and Standards for Learning Space Design
The Teaching & Learning Space Working Group is responsible for the development of classroom standards that define minimum requirements for learning spaces on campus, based on our community's learning space values.
The Working Group reviews the minimum classroom standards every two years.
Values for Learning Spaces
Our community's values for teaching and learning spaces were developed as a result of our community consultations process and serve as the foundation for our minimum space standards. These values define how Toronto Metropolitan University’s core beliefs around teaching and learning are reflected in the built environment.
- Secure, healthy, sustainable, well-maintained
- Foster a collegial environment
- Consistent design standards across campus
- Interaction with faculty
- Learn collaboratively with peers
- Meet higher-order learning outcomes
- Proactively accessible
- Removes barriers, respect diversity
- Supportive, creates a sense of belonging
- State-of-the art learning spaces
- Interdisciplinary and experiential opportunities
- Encourage creative and innovative thinking
Standards Documents for Learning Spaces
The standards documents for classroom design and Indigenous learning spaces indicate the minimum standards for classrooms and learning spaces at TMU. The standards are designed in consultation with community members and are fluid documents, evolving with the TMU community.
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The purpose of design standards is to set out minimum requirements for the design of teaching and learning spaces on campus. These standards are not intended to limit what is possible, but instead to define a minimum baseline standard to ensure consistency in existing and future spaces. The standards can also provide guidance on the creation of spaces that transcend the minimum requirements.
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Consultations are ongoing with Toronto Metropolitan University’s Indigenous faculty, instructors, staff, undergraduate students, and graduate students about what features make learning spaces more supportive of Indigenous learners and Indigenous ways of knowing.
The following document is intended to support the integration of Indigenous cultural thinking into the ongoing design of learning spaces.