Collaborative spaces in Czech higher education: a study of students’ perceptions and utilization

Abstract

Collaborative spaces have become valuable tools for enhancing teamwork and promoting collaboration in both the workplace and higher education. These spaces offer a range of benefits, including supporting educational development and facilitating collaboration. However, relatively few studies have examined the use and design of collaborative spaces, students’ perceptions of these spaces, and the characteristics that make them attractive for use in higher education in the Czech Republic. This article aims to identify the most desirable characteristics of collaborative spaces and the challenges faced by students in the Czech Republic. Using an online survey, we collected data to measure key aspects of collaborative spaces, their contribution to teamwork, and the reasons students use them, taking into account factors such as privacy. The results show that collaborative spaces are attractive and important to students because they support social interactions and are used for project discussions and group meetings. However, many respondents are distracted by people talking in these spaces and prefer private areas for reading or studying. Furthermore, the findings suggest that, given that the objectives sought by educational institutions are not always clearly articulated, it is difficult to assess whether these spaces are effectively fulfilling their intended purpose. This points to the need for a more comprehensive approach in future projects, involving the institution, students, and teachers.