THE way that college students learn has changed over the last few decades. Having grown up using computers and networked devices, today’s generation of college students are social and team-oriented, born multitaskers and have a hands-on approach to building anything given easy access to online reference material. This has drastically changed the way they learn so that what largely took place in the classroom supplemented by homework has now expanded to social learning in different learning spaces—from the classroom to collaboration spaces to the Internet. Learning has transcended beyond the classroom and has truly become a social activity that occurs in many places.
This concept is supported by Dr. Manuel Sapitula, associate professor in the University of the Philippines in Sociology: “Philippine higher education is now moving from a heavily academic learning system to a lifelong learning educational model, where students are trained to both specialize in their respective fields and learn essential life skills essential for basic interaction with peers, research skills and critical judgment.”
He said in the current curricula, professors and textbooks are no longer the only source of knowledge. College students are now trained to seek information outside the classroom—on the Internet, on-ground exposure, or one-on-one interviews. Part of life-long learning is team learning, where students are encouraged to collaborate with others. This shift in the way college students learn impacts the design of learning spaces which must offer spaces for individual study and collaborative learning.
Torre Lorenzo Development Corp. (TLDC) CEO Tomas Lorenzo recognized this shift over a decade ago and incorporated this into the design of his hugely successful TLDC Premium University Residences built adjacent to Metro Manila’s largest universities (Torre Lorenzo 1 and 2; Torre Lorenzo near DLSU; Torre Central near UST; and rising in Manila, Torre Lorenzo Malate near UP and Philippine General Hospital, 3Torre Lorenzo near the DLSU Benilde and one soon to rise in the Katipunan area).
“The intersection where people and place can come together is where possibilities for learning best take place,” Lorenzo said. “We realized early on that effective learning spaces for students are not only those that are functional, but are comfortable, attractive and flexible. This is brought to life in part by the design and overall spirit of our university residences.”
TLDC pioneered the concept of premium student residences in the country in keeping with their vision to “elevate lifestyle solutions today for tomorrow’s communities.” Their studies surfaces college students’ then-emerging physical, social and emotional needs for optimum learning. As a result, at each of TLDC’s student developments, attention to design allows for study time and collaboration. Wi-fi-enabled study rooms, sound-proof study areas and collaboration spaces coexist with living and social areas, such as multipurpose roof decks, lounge areas and cafés and restaurants on the ground floor which all support the social nature of learning.
Students come home to apartments with modern kitchens, private bathrooms and inspiring living spaces. Other recreational facilities such as gyms, pools, roofdecks and basketball courts are available for residents for their school-life balance. A 24/7 security system affords peace of mind not just for the building’s residents but for the parents. Residents can also expect the support of a dedicated property management team that is responsive to their property concerns.