Future Learning Spaces: Exploring Perspectives from LINKS Research

Future learning spaces (FLSs) have become a topic of immense interest as educational researchers and practitioners have reconceptualized learning in the networked society. This dual interest is vital as the scientific field has been fragmented across disciplines on this topic while in practice billions of dollars are being spent but often fail to achieve their desired goals. This chapter advances both theoretical and practical issues related to FLSs with a novel definition of the term, by explaining its relevance to LINKS, and through the examination of three different categories of FLSs. Specifically, the chapter takes a careful look at FLSs in classroom learning communities, in informal settings, and in professional settings as a basis to identify strengths, opportunities, limitations, and challenges of FLSs. We end with three specific recommendations to help bridge the research-practice gap and advance our understand of this vital facet of LINKS.