Evaluating The Affordances Of Transitional Space As Social Learning Space At Polytechnic

Abstract

Presently, the vast evolution affiliated with academia in Malaysia encounter the expository needs of advance perspectives of new learning theory so-called as a connectivism learning theory for the digital age. Consequently, the entire conceptualisation of new learning space that designated as social academic learning space derived from this new learning theory. For this reason, there is a requisite to explore the actualisation of affordances of student social learning space (SLS) apart from conventional lesson time on campus. Accordingly, this research elicits an evaluation of the actualised affordance of the SLS associated with the behavioural of learners. This study analysed the physical attributes of the SLS and the architecture of the learning environments which immeasurably impacted the behavioural responses of the learners. Eighty full-time students form Ungku Omar Polytechnic were interviewed and observed to obtain the learners’ behavioural responses, space utilisation and learners’ perceptions towards SLS. The responses were analysed using content analysis and grouped into:(i) type of activities, (ii) actualized affordances, and (iii) reveals notes. Results from this research recommended that transitional space that labelled as transitions between two destinations is effectively perceived by learners as efficient and conducive SLS.