I'll try to start posting some of your responses tomorrow. Another benefit of such a shared space is the cross-training opportunities for the academic support professionals themselves. For example, librarians and technology specialists can learn from pedagogy experts how new information resources and technology applications can be used more effectively with some approaches to teaching and learning than with others. Technology and pedagogy experts can learn from librarians how to help faculty members find information on the Web more efficiently and evaluate its authenticity before recommending it to students. Librarians and pedagogy experts can learn from technologists how to help faculty members use and manage new machines, tools, and network resources.
Many institutions have multiple centers.
Another center might provide technical assistance to those developing multi-media instructional materials. On the other hand, creating this new union or collaboration can be expensive, politically challenging, and even appear to threaten some careers. In fact, for some institutions, especially larger and more complex universities, linking the activities of several related centers may be more plausible and effective than creating a single new one. Consequently, unification of all into one Center must be explored and managed carefully. Few architects have any experience designing or modifying such spaces, but some have done closely related work that takes into account new information technology, organizational structures that shift quickly, and the need to devise spaces conducive to collaboration.