Physical and social factors influencing university students' preferences for informal learning spaces

Abstract

This research examines the physical and social characteristics influencing college students' preferences for cafés as informal study spaces. Additionally, it explores students' learning habits, use of learning spaces, and perspectives on café learning environments. The study employed a quantitative approach, surveying 772 students from universities in a designated district. Researchers applied the Beckers & Dewulf framework model to assess the relationships between eight factors affecting students' choice of informal learning spaces. The results revealed a positive correlation among the eight factors, which were grouped into two dimensions: amenity quality, naturalness, ICT facilities, interior design, student autonomy, customer presence, friend’s presence, and sense of belonging. High-tech equipment and a sense of belonging were found to have the greatest influence on students’ preferences for specific cafés. This research provides valuable insights for educators, offering a deeper understanding of the learning habits of the new generation of students and how they engage with informal learning spaces.

Keywords: Informal learning space; physical characteristic; social characteristic; university students