Not a waste of space: professional development for staff teaching in New Generation Learning Spaces

The project responded to the critical need to focus on improving teaching in [Next] Generation Learning Spaces, since billions of dollars have been spent on designing or retrofitting these spaces. Next Generation Learning Spaces are specifically designed to increase active learning and to support a more student-centred approach to teaching and learning. While these spaces vary in their exact characteristics, they typically are: carefully planned to facilitate interactions between students and promote active learning; designed to allow for flexible use and arrangement of furniture; constructed without a lectern or single whiteboard/screen at the front of the space to enable teaching from anywhere in the room; and technology-enabled to encourage active, connected and collaborative learning. Despite considerable investment, there is evidence that their full potential has not yet been fully realised. Additionally, there is limited evidence that current approaches to professional development for academic staff teaching in these spaces are effective. The project has made a difference in a number of ways. It has contributed to the substantive body of literature on how to engage academic staff in professional learning to enhance their teaching. It has identified why current practice is not working and proposed a way forward. Over 200 academic staff at RMIT found the professional learning activities useful and indicated that they would trial a change to their teaching as a result. The project has supported a change in the way universities involved in the trials will provide professional learning for academic staff teaching in New Generation Learning Spaces using the innovative and an alternative approach to traditional professional development.

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