The 39th Installment
Using "Third Places" as Places for Learning

by Masaya Ando,
Assistant Professor, Master Program of Innovation for Design and Engineering

Have you heard of the term "third places"? Sociologist Ray Oldenburg, who developed the term, cites third places as essential for especially city dwellers. One's home is the "first place" and one's work the "second place." "Third places" refer to physical spaces where the general public can interact with one another, such as pubs in England and cafes in France. He claims that places for social interaction are necessary for people to maintain their sociability, and that third places fulfill this role. Starbucks is well known for designing its stores to act as third places for its customers.

Many would agree that a life spent going only between home and work lacks vibrancy. Having said that, it is not easy to go to a cafe or izakaya in order to make friends or hang out with other customers (although some people are no doubt good at it). Yet everyone "wants to have a third place to go and enjoy a vibrant and fun life."

Perhaps as a response to this need, recent years have seen a proliferation of "study groups" and "study cafes," mostly in urban areas. So popular have they become that "study group conferences" were held last year and this year to study study groups themselves. This movement was begun by IT engineers, who held self-organized study groups and reading groups to study together and share information about technology trends. These study groups were mentioned on social media such as mixi, twitter, and USTREAM, leading to many people getting involved and creating a sort of phenomenon.

The appeal of study groups and reading groups is being able to make new connections with people who are similarly motivated. Alone, it is tough to maintain one's enthusiasm to study. Being able to meet with others that have the same level of motivation, however, allows one to teach others and ask questions and discuss things without hesitation. As such, study groups are functioning quite effectively as third places in cities.

Of course, this campus (AIIT), a specialized graduate school whose students are mainly members of the workforce, could also be called a place of learning that serves as a third place. In addition to the standard degree program through which students can receive a professional master's degree, the university provides various places to learn and interact with others. Among the great variety of programs provided are the Academic Certificate Program, which provide opportunities to study a specific major, as well as special seminars that include "AIIT Monthly Forums (Info Talk and Design Mini Cram Sessions)" and "Manufacturing Manager Development Seminars," which consist of panels and networking events run by experts in a particular area of specialization. These programs are designed to so that even those who dislike the formal nature of universities will feel comfortable participating.

In fact, I myself am program director of an Academic Certificate Program entitled "Human Centered Design." 29 people have joined the program this year, despite a program capacity of 20, and the program is running right now. Most are engineers involved in software or Web services, and everyone is highly motivated.

In one seminar the other day, participants practiced correctly using the KJ Method as a problem-solving device based on the theme of "What places of learning do working people enjoy?" Participants later noted that what they learned in the session helped their work, but learning together with others and feeling a sense of camaraderie were also important benefits. To be sure, all the students in the program are all very close with one another and hold get-togethers every week to discuss various things. The program really drove home for me just how effective it works as a third place.

I see AIIT as a new type of graduate school that acts as a third place in the city and that provides a variety of learning places. As a member of the faculty, I will continue doing what I can to enable more students to make use of such places.