Environments for learning in a Dutch University

Learning environments have been studied less thoroughly in European universities than they have in American colleges and universities. Several research strategies which have been developed in the United States are discussed. One strategy, adapted to analyze the special conditions found in European universities, and an instrument which provides evidence about student perceptions of their environments, are described. The results of a study of one university in the Netherlands indicate that there are distinctive atmospheres found in various departments; departments differ from one another in understandable ways, and each department has its own kind of educational problems. It is argued that systematic analyses of learning environments might identify problems in universities and permit solutions to be found so that more effective educational contexts may be created.This paper is based on a study conducted at the Educational Research Center, University of Leyden, The Netherlands. Dr. Gaff was invited to spend a year at the Center, Dr. Crombag is the Director of the Center, and Dr. Chang is a member of the Center staff. A full report of the study, The university as a learning environment: An empirical analysis, Report No. 13, January, 1973, may be obtained from the Educational Research Center, University of Leyden, Leyden, The Netherlands.