Educational institutions should be intentional about naming and designing learning spaces to align with their teaching mission. The names of spaces like lecture halls should reflect the intended purpose clearly to set appropriate expectations for learners and instructors. The design of spaces, such as having an instructor console at the front, influences student behavior and interaction. Attention to these small details is crucial to advancing the educational mission of the institution effectively.
Kem Saichaie talks about how to teach in active learning spaces on episode 509 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast.
Quotes from the episode
Flexibility requires familiarity.
-Kem Saichaie
Oftentimes, at least at the research intensive level, we have this false comparison between STEM and non STEM types of teaching in classrooms.
-Kem Saichaie
At the heart of many active learning classroom design spaces is the concept of flexibility.
-Kem Saichaie
Resources
- A Guide to Teaching in the Active Learning Classroom, by Baepler, Walker, Brooks, Saichaie, and Petersen
- Students Put Teaching and Learning Complex to the Test, by Sudhiksha Shanbhag Kota
- Is Active Learning Accessible? Exploring the Process of Providing Accommodations to Students with Disabilities, by Gin, Guerrero, Cooper, and Brownell
- Various definitions to explore, when considering active learning spaces: pedagogical, physical, and psychological
- Design Justice Network
- Kem’s namedrop.io
- Bonni’s name-coach
- Sarah Silverman’s workshops