I remember the relaxed and connected atmosphere of these moments. Drinking coffee or tea, exchanging facts, checking learning scripts, joking with other students outside the learning circle.

These weren’t the most focused learning sessions, but for me they were the most pleasant and productive ones

Today, when I attend or give professional seminars, I often wonder if they might be more productive and pleasant if held in such a “university café” atmosphere, instead of a cool, isolated seminar room.

How about a “learning lounge”?

How about a café with space reserved for learning purposes? Comfy chairs, sofas and thick cushions instead of cool, modern seminar room chairs? Everybody could sit where and how they want. One might separate this section from the rest of the café with big plants or some shelves. But let some babble and noise from the café guests come through, to prevent the feeling of being isolated from the rest of the world.

Sure, this wouldn’t suit all learning situations. There are situations where you need to be isolated, but I’m sure there are also situations where such a distracting and “connected” atmosphere would be productive.