Do you have your PaSsPorT? Rethinking teaching spaces for student-centred learning Wendy A. Crocker, PhD & Stephanie Oliver, PhD Teaching Support Centre Western University

In the next few minutes, you will: Consider learner-centred teaching from the perspective of the instructor; and Reflect on the necessary “layering” of people, space, pedagogy, and technology in the PaSsPorT (Reushel, 2013) framework active learning principles to life.

High Impact Practices 1 : 1. encourages contacts between students and faculty; 2. develops reciprocity and cooperation among students; 3. uses active learning techniques; 4. gives prompt feedback; 5. emphasizes time on task; 6. communicates high expectations; and 7. respects diverse talents and ways of learning. 1 Chickering, A. & Gamson, Z. (1987). Seven principles for good practice in undergrad education. AAHE Bulletin, p 3-7.

University Learning

So how does THIS

… in less than a year? Become THIS

PaSsPorT (Reushel, 2013) Offered different ways to contemplate using space, technology and pedagogy by adding PEOPLE as the first element that needs to be considered; PEOPLE The creativity of the instructors and their ability to unleash the affordances of the space for their students is critical in transforming a classroom space into an Active Learning Space “…to really solidify what I’m learning, I feel like I need … more of an active setting”

SPACES “Great for collaborative learning … and beneficial to easily incorporate social media trends into learning” WALS transitioned from a smaller scale Lab space, to the actual transformed general use classroom space at the end of June. WALS 66 opened for classes on August 16 th, and this term hosts 15 courses, and approximately 450 students

PEDAGOGY “(Teaching in WALS) gives up a lot more time in the classroom to focus on collaboration, learning through your peers, speaking to professors about challenges you’re facing in group projects or case studies or whatever it may be, so I think that’s what […] this room brings […] It’s a real step forward [… ] for Western.”

TECHNOLOGY Technology in the classroom space supports collaboration through the sharing of screens via Air Media, or bringing students or guests in remotely using Blackboard Collaborate. Support for instructors and students is available on a public facing website in addition to more “how to” modules on an internal OWL project site. “… it is another tool to support active learning.”

WHAT DO INSTRUCTORS NEED TO REALIZE THE POTENTIAL OF LEARNING IN WALS?

Two types of support Face to Face Each instructor working in WALS is assigned a Cohort group for on-going networking and idea- sharing across disciplines On-line Information shared in workshops is also on- line at WALS site OWL site has additional ideas and tools for teaching.

Public Facing site is the Western repository for information about WALS, the booking schedule, andsite booking forms The OWL Project site offers in-depth “how to” information and ideas for use in WALS

WALS at Western Teaching Support Centre Rm 122 Weldon Library