In February 2008, representatives from various Faculties and offices of the University attended a series of discussion with Dr. Peter Jamieson, a renowned expert in the design of new generation learning environment at The University of Melbourne on learning spaces design. 

While we have entered an era of Web 2.0 and interactive learning is becoming a norm, learning spaces have not been evolving at the same pace.  Most classrooms and lecture halls remain conventional and teacher-oriented.  Group discussion in class is made difficult due to the lack of flexibility of classroom settings.  Dr Jamieson argued that the design of innovative learning spaces is crucial for enhancing the student learning experience.  

Members from the faculties of Arts, Law, and Social Sciences, as well as the Working Groups of Design of Learning Commons and Teaching Spaces, attended a one-day workshop to discuss the possibilities of the design of innovative learning space at the Centennial Campus. 

The workshop focused on the emerging design trends for learning spaces that better facilitate teaching and learning behaviours and availability of advancing technologies. The workshop provided insight to what might be alternative classroom types that could be incorporated into the Centennial Campus and future Main Campus developments or conversions.  A suite allocated for the Centre of Advancement of University Teaching in the Run Run Shaw Building will be converted to a demonstration teaching space for testing.