Newly Designed Learning Center Launched by Wall

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Newly Designed Learning Center Launched by Wall Street English The article was published by Tencent.com on November 12th link: ​ http://edu.qq.com/a/20151112/039574.htm

First newly designed learning center (for select courses) launched at Solana Mall, Beijing

On November 11, 2015, the first newly designed learning center of Wall Street English (WSE) made its debut at Solana Mall, Beijing. In line with WSE’s philosophy to be more student-oriented, more interactive and more digital, the new learning center was designed with great openness and more social elements that break down the traditional arrangement of different function-based areas for the purpose of a more efficient learning and socializing environment. Right after Beijing, learning centers in Guangzhou, Shanghai and other cities will also be upgraded to the new style in China.

Tim Russ, Chief Operating Officer of WSE China briefing the recent development of WSE

According to Tim Russ, Chief Operating Officer of WSE China, WSE is a crucial part of Pearson’s practices in China. In 2013, WSE received an investment of RMB 100 million from Pearson to carry out the “World-Class Experience Program” that covers not only an upgrade of WSE’s English training products and tools, but also a remodeling of its BTL learning centers, which, in this case, was co-designed by IDEO, a pioneering design and consulting firm that originated the first laptop and first Apple mouse, and Canon Design, a top architecture, engineering and design firm. Walls broken down for a more social learning experience

Evert van Steenbergen, Design Director of WSE elaborating on the design ideas of the new center

As mentioned by Evert van Steenbergen, Design Director of WSE, there are three highlights of the newly designed learning center. Firstly, instead of dividing the space by function, the remodeled center connects and combines classrooms, offices, self-study lounges and social areas that help make the most use of the space. Although some parts of the areas may overlap, students are still not disturbed, thanks to the special sound-absorbing materials on walls and on the floor purchased from abroad. Also, the computer cubicles in the study lounges are now more open and independent, which facilitates communication between students and lecturers. Secondly, the newly designed center is more interactive. In contrast to the rigid office style of its old version, the re-designed venue is more like a social space. An open reception area replaces the information desk where the number of receptionists may rise or fall based on students’ needs, and the classrooms are equipped with tall chairs so that students can remain at the same height as their lecturers, which contributes to a relaxing class time as if in a bar. Also, large-sized tables are placed in the social areas so that students can discuss and study in a more open and bonding manner. The third highlight is a whole-package upgrade of the digital equipment. Several high-resolution LED screens in the new center are showing news in

English and course schedules. Students can also appoint their courses via Wall Street English Mobile App, and take classes as well as finish their assignments online. Evert van Steenbergen indicated that there are much more bold ideas about modernizing the learning center, which will become a full digital learning port that boosts learning efficiency. A student-oriented design by industry leaders

WSE celebrating the launch of the newly designed learning center

As a major move of the “World-Class Experience Program”, in 2013, WSE began to collaborate with IDEO, a pioneering design innovation consulting firm that originated the first laptop and first Apple mouse, and planned to create a new-concept learning environment that not only fulfills students’ needs with advanced technologies, but serves business purposes. During the cooperation, IDEO came up with brand-new ideas by visiting the students to understand their needs and learning their study habits. Canon Design, a top architecture, engineering and design firm was in charge of the architectural plan that put the idea to reality. This all demonstrates how much WSE would invest in order to improve students’ learning experience. After IDEO undertook the task, its designers paid visits to the students’ homes to get to know their families and lives, and tried to understand their motivations and rationales of learning English. Also, the designers spent a long time observing the students’ routines at the learning center, including which parts of the center were their favorite, how they got up and asked for help from the consultants, at what time most of them would show up, and how they talked to each other. Based on their observations, the designers formulated new service rules and space plans, and even rented a 130-square-meter office space for students and employees at WSE to experience and review. For over a month, in an effort to optimize and verify its design, IDEO kept carrying out trials, overturning and

revising previous plans to better capture the interests and demands of the students. As WSE confirmed their original plan, Canon Design, with expertise in educational institutions, took charge of the more detailed architectural layout. After a year of preparation and further design, the first newly-designed learning center came into service in Beijing. As noted by Tim Russ, the learning center program was intended for a better learning environment for students at a hardware level; in the meantime, WSE has also dedicated tremendous resources to its software, including developing and upgrading its teaching methods and tools, which will generate new learning systems and products in the near future.

ENDS.