Abstract
This paper discusses a variety of approaches to utilising different spaces, places and
environments to make learning and teaching in higher education more effective, socially
engaging, and relevant. It starts with the proposition that, in anthropological and
pedagogical sense, spaces only become places through human action and imagination, the
two essential human qualities critical for acquiring, applying and creating new
knowledge. In addition to reflecting on different learning spaces and places, the authors
discuss students experiences with spatial (and social) contexts applied in the postgraduate
unit Contemporary Learning Environments, an integral part of Monash University s
Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice. Whilst the paradigms of experiential,
reflexive and blended learning have been the underpinning pedagogical philosophies of
this unit, an attempt has been made to closely align learning content with learning
contexts by conducting the classes beyond the classrooms in public places such as
museums, community centres and parks as well as in more traditional venues such as
seminar rooms, lecture theatres and simulation labs. While providing an analysis of the
quantitative and qualitative data from the students evaluation and feedback, the paper
goes beyond a mere audit of the unit arguing that learning and teaching in higher
education still remains deeply embodied and meaningful social events situated in real
places rather than in some dislocated, depersonalised non-place .
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Research and Development in Higher Education: The Place of Learning and Teaching |
Editors | S Frielick, N Buissink-Smith, P Wyse, J Billot, J Hallas, E Whitehead |
Place of Publication | Milperra, NSW |
Publisher | Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia |
Pages | 175 - 186 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Volume | 36 |
ISBN (Print) | 0908557930 |
Publication status | Published - 2013 |
Event | Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia Annual Conference 2013 - AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand Duration: 1 Jul 2013 → 4 Jul 2013 Conference number: 36th http://conference.herdsa.org.au/2013/ |
Conference
Conference | Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia Annual Conference 2013 |
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Abbreviated title | HERDSA Conference 2013 |
Country/Territory | New Zealand |
City | Auckland |
Period | 1/07/13 → 4/07/13 |
Internet address |