Investigation of student’s preferences for off-campus informal learning spaces: The case of business school students in Bangkok

Abstract

The understanding of why students select off-campus informal learning spaces can reflect any absence and inadequacy of on-campus informal learning spaces. This research used students of a Bangkok private university as a case study by employed quantitative analysis and descriptive data analysis, where a questionnaire survey conducted during March 2018 was used. The results show that students with any levels of grade point averages have similar preferences for using off-campus informal learning spaces. The top reasons why students used off-campus spaces for informal learning were about the flexible schedule, accessibility to food, and capability for social interactions. The top reasons why students did not use off-campus spaces related to cost, location, improper environment/atmosphere and study resources. The preferences for off-campus informal learning spaces remarkably reflect the strengths and weaknesses of on-campus informal learning spaces. Universities should improve their management of facilities to support students’ informal learning base on their preferences.

Keywords: Higher education institutions, informal learning spaces, learning spaces, off-campus.