The rationale for this site is based on the argument that many of the learning environments currently provided by UK higher education need to change. The traditional teaching room still exists in many places; it can be seen as an outdated format that focuses on the lecturer, acting as the ‘sage on a stage’. Usually, that means being behind a lectern, where they are in control of the physical relationship with their students, who are often sitting in rows passively receiving information. Many universities have recognised this and have designed and developed spaces for students that acknowledge that imbalance and need to adopt a more forward-thinking pedagogy.
The last few decades have witnessed major changes and developments in higher education, with new approaches to learning and teaching. It is driven largely by a new pedagogy that is designed to move away from the traditional style of lecture-based teaching that has been delivered for hundreds of years. This didactic method of tutor-centred teaching with little scope for interaction is wanting. This site argues the need to consider new types of active and collaborative learning and move from dependency to independence and inter-dependency. Students are saying they want to learn differently, partly to reflect the varying learning styles that we as individuals possess, but also to encompass the enormous technological changes in modern society that impact our daily lives. We should consider the collaborative problem-solving and communication skills that employers say they require of students. Our university campuses must be a place for students to take ownership of, to feel part of the life there, and thereby be more able to actively engage with their own learning experience.
The site is partly a research journal from site visits to other institutions, as well as pages that showcase projects that I have been actively involved in at the London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London, University of Birmingham and City St. George’s University of London. There is also a link to events looking Learning Environments as well as image of spaces that could be used or as inspiration for social studying.
The views expressed within these pages are personal and reflect the information and impressions that I have gathered after each visit. If there any factual inaccuracies or you would like to contact me, please write by e-mail.
I hope you find the site useful.
James Rutherford – MA, FHEA
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