by ASHLEIGH PROSSER and SHANNON JOHNSTON
Every now and then, universities commission new learning spaces designed to take students’ experiences to new heights (and out-do other universities while they’re at it!).
We know finding spaces to facilitate active and collaborative learning is challenging in many traditional university classrooms; the perception is that technology-enabled, contemporary flexible spaces afford greater opportunities for innovation (Donkin & Kynn 2021). We also know that learning to command these spaces and their affordances effectively is necessary for fostering active learning environments where students and educators can construct meaning through their interactions with the content, and with one another (Copridge et. al. 2021).
Boola Katitjin (meaning “lots of learning” in Noongar language) is Murdoch University’s new learning and teaching-dedicated building deliberately designed for the delivery of active and collaborative large-format classes in technology-enhanced environments. These spaces invite university educators to consider pedagogical practices that fully engage such facilities for innovative, contemporary, and quality learning experiences.
Prompted by this need, we developed the “CHAT” pedagogical model and the “Let’s CHAT Boola Katitjin” professional learning programme. CHAT pedagogy guides educators to embrace flexible teaching practices in technology-rich classrooms and actively engage learners in authentic, collaborative learning experiences, whether students are in the room or joining online.
Each letter in CHAT represents a way that these environments can enable meaningful educational experiences, bringing boola katitjin to students and building educator’s katitjin (knowledge).
C – creating collaborative learning environments
H – having hands-on, high-tech teaching
A – applying authentic active learning activities
T – trying team teaching
Informed by Laurillard’s conversational framework (2002), the model centres around creating opportunities for collaborative constructivist learning, whereby students are active in making their own meaning from the authentic activities, experiences, and reflections in which they engage as learners together, guided by their teacher. Grounding the CHAT pedagogical model in the context of contemporary, technology-enhanced active learning spaces encourages educators to find a combination of learner-centred teaching techniques that meets their needs now, while supporting them to develop their practice towards innovation in the future.
The writers are currently undertaking scholarly work to evidence the impact of professional learning and CHAT pedagogy on staff approaches to learning and teaching in learning spaces afforded by the ‘new building’, Boola Katitjin, throughout 2023.
Dr Ashleigh Prosser, Professional Learning Lecturer (Boola Katitjin), Murdoch University [email protected] https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleighprosser/
Dr Shannon Johnston, Head of Professional Learning, Murdoch University [email protected] @shannonej https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnstonshannon/