Abstract:

To complete academic work today, millennial students are increasingly depending on technology in the higher education environment. This study was conducted to investigate how millennials currently use technology in academic environment and how designers can positively integrate and improve technology within small-group collaborative environments. For the first phase of this project, this research team adapted qualitative research methods including observation and interviewing millennial students in informal higher education environments across all disciplines. In the second phase of this research, the team adapted quantitative research and developed a research instrument to gather numerical data. This research instrument was distributed online, and data gathered was analyzed to gain insights into millennial students’ technological needs. By analyzing the quantitative and qualitative assessments of the collected data, weaknesses were then identified in the current integration of technology in collaborative environments. Using these findings, conclusions were formed on how to improve these environments for the future. Throughout this process any discrepancies within the research development were identified and the outliers omitted. With constantly changing trends in both technology and comfort within the educational environments, issues with vertical and horizontal work surfaces, integrating electricity and internet access, aesthetics, and enclosure were addressed. Based on this research findings, design guidelines were developed to improve the integration of technology in collaborative learning environments for future generations of students in higher education.

Keywords:

Technology, Collaborative Learning, Small Group Collaboration, Informal Learning Spaces, Technology Integrated Design, Higher Education Students.