A Pedagogy of Slow: Integrating Experiences of Physical and Virtual Gallery Spaces to Foster Critical Engagement in SoTL

This article makes a case for SoTL practitioners to engage in what we term a pedagogy of slow. Here, “slow” connotes with waiting and patience. It takes time to learn and acquire the skills that a SoTL scholar needs. “Doing SoTL” we therefore argue, requires a pedagogy that takes time and sees time as an ally instead of as an opponent. In what the university has become, there seems little room for a pedagogy of slow that both offers and allows for time. In this article we present a case for considering engagement with the visual arts as part of a pedagogy of slow and the development of SoTL. By making the familiar strange, we acknowledge the implications of visual thinking strategies for social engagement by highlighting teaching and learning as relational. Working with colleagues in the context of continuing professional development, we collected data via focus groups and written reflections within physical and virtual gallery spaces to glean insight into participant experiences of slow looking as the antithesis to fast-paced and pressurised environments. We highlight how learning to become a SoTL scholar is an iterative process that requires time and generates what we term “productive friction.” This is the iterative process which creates dislocation and uncertainty within participants, but which also has the capacity to nudge towards a transformation of the professional self

Teaching spaces: The fourth corner of university learning

Teachers hold valuable knowledge and intimate understanding of the spaces where students learn. It is important to leverage their knowledge and allow their voices to be heard in planning new spaces. This article reports on mixed methods research undertaken at the School of Law, University College Cork, to assess teachers' views on spaces, with particular focus on two rooms - a traditional lecture room and a discipline-specific Moot Court room. We present an inquiry - focused conceptual framework, the application of which has helped us investigate and make public the perspectives of teachers regarding engagement in spaces on campus. As this paper demonstrates, it is vital that the staff voice is captured to inform best practice and in the planning and usage of spaces. This idea may be obvious, but we argue it is often overlooked and not leveraged to its full potential. There is also transformative potential for staff as both researchers and research participants in investigating their teaching and the impact of space on practice. The goal of the study is to promote the value of the authentic participation of teachers in the development and use of university spaces from a teaching perspective

A Pedagogy of Slow: Integrating Experiences of Physical and Virtual Gallery Spaces to Foster Critical Engagement in SoTL

This article makes a case for SoTL practitioners to engage in what we term a pedagogy of slow. Here, “slow” connotes with waiting and patience. It takes time to learn and acquire the skills that a SoTL scholar needs. “Doing SoTL” we therefore argue, requires a pedagogy that takes time and sees time as an ally instead of as an opponent. In what the university has become, there seems little room for a pedagogy of slow that both offers and allows for time. In this article we present a case for considering engagement with the visual arts as part of a pedagogy of slow and the development of SoTL. By making the familiar strange, we acknowledge the implications of visual thinking strategies for social engagement by highlighting teaching and learning as relational. Working with colleagues in the context of continuing professional development, we collected data via focus groups and written reflections within physical and virtual gallery spaces to glean insight into participant experiences of slow looking as the antithesis to fast-paced and pressurised environments. We highlight how learning to become a SoTL scholar is an iterative process that requires time and generates what we term “productive friction.” This is the iterative process which creates dislocation and uncertainty within participants, but which also has the capacity to nudge towards a transformation of the professional self

Cross cultural experiences of Chinese students studying food science in Ireland

This study focuses on the specific needs of Chinese students studying food science in UCC in order to provide better teaching and learning tools for students. Semi-structured individual interviews were used to establish the pros and cons of their learning experiences. The students interviewed showed consensus, such as: it is essential that they receive lecture notes with an adequate lead time so that they can pre-read and translate sections. They must have good WIFI access to facilitate real-time online translation. In order to speed and ease their transition into the Irish higher education system it is necessary to provide tutorials to Chinese students for the unfamiliar essay exam question format

Enhancing student engagement and self-evaluation using student response systems

Whilst previous studies are broadly in agreement on the effectiveness of student response systems (hereafter SRSs) in enhancing student engagement, there are gaps in the literature relating to study design and outcomes assessed. This study offers enhancements to study design. First, by collecting baseline data, engagement levels can be conditioned and changes in engagement attributable to the SRS detected. Second, it is one of the few studies that employs a comprehensive measure of student engagement. Third, analysis occurs at student level rather than class level. The study finds increased positive perceptions towards self-evaluation (both self and relative assessment) and ability to express opinion, in addition to strong student positivity towards the SRS

The universal design for learning framework in anatomical sciences education

Over the past decades, teaching and learning within the discipline of anatomy has undergone significant changes. Some of these changes are due to a reduction in the number of teaching hours, while others are related to advancements in technology. Faced with these many choices for change, it can be difficult for faculty to decide on which new developments in anatomical education need or indeed can be integrated into their course to enhance student learning. This article presents the universal design for learning (UDL) framework - an informed, evidence-based, and robust approach to underpin new course design and pedagogical reform in anatomy education. Universal design for learning is not a theory but a framework grounded in cognitive neuroscience that focuses on engaging multiple brain networks. The guidelines for UDL are organized into three core principles: (1) provide multiple means of representation, (2) provide multiple means of action and expression, and (3) provide multiple means of engagement. The learning space within the anatomy laboratory provides an excellent opportunity in which to apply this framework. This article also describes current trends employed in the teaching of anatomy. The principles of UDL are then outlined, followed by a description of how UDL approaches have been applied in the design and delivery of anatomy practical teaching to first year medical students at University College Cork. Future implications for this work are a consideration and investigation of how a course designed with the principles of UDL at its heart ultimately benefits student learning

Learning spaces in community-based dental education

In response to various institutional and national policy drivers (University College Cork, 2018; Department of Health, 2019), a community-based dental education (CBDE) initiative in a non-dental setting has been proposed as a new curriculum offering in Paediatric Dentistry in University College Cork. The student-led clinic for children aged 0-5 years will be located in a new primary healthcare centre, which serves as a community hub for health and wellbeing services. The innovative use of learning spaces to imbue a culture of community-engaged scholarship in higher education is widely encouraged (Campus Engage, 2014; Galvin, O’Mahony, Powell & Neville, 2017). This work seeks to explore the features of the proposed learning environment, which may impact upon teaching and learning practice

Beyond the conference: Singing our SSONG

The International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL) annual conference presents an exciting opportunity to meet with international colleagues from diverse backgrounds and situations to commune on our common interest in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). As with every ISSOTL conference, the enthusiasm for SoTL was palpable in Los Angeles in 2016. Rich discussions took place, networks were formed, and promises to keep in touch were made. Unfortunately, previous conference experiences have taught us that these good intentions often fall short once the conference bubble has burst and the reality of daily life sets in once more. In an attempt to circumvent this phenomenon, we—seven colleagues from three different countries—embarked on a research project that enabled us to maintain the relationships and fruitful discussions we had initiated at ISSOTL16. We established Small, Significant Online Network Group, or SSONG, inspired by a conference workshop on small significant networks. As a group, we met regularly online using Adobe Connect© and engaged in significant conversations around SoTL that were private, trustful, and intellectually intriguing. This article reflects our experiences in establishing and maintaining the group. We discuss how the group was formed; its alignment with the concept of small, significant networks; and the benefits and challenges we encountered. Four key principles of the group that have emerged will also be discussed in detail, enabling readers to consider how they could adapt the concept for their own purposes

Online Pre-departure Peer Learning: What are the Transition Benefits for Chinese Students?

The transition into academic life for Chinese students coming to Australia can be difficult as they navigate different cultural, social, and educational norms. As a group of two academics from Australia and one from China, we were interested in exploring ways students from China could best be supported prior to leaving their country in readiness for academic life in Australia. As an international partnership, we examined transition issues for Chinese students by focussing on building students’ peer learning partnerships, prior to their departure from China to Australia. Chinese students in China were paired up with students in Australia for a weekly online session via Skype discussing culture and university-related topics. In order to direct the conversations, weekly questions were developed for each session. Students and staff had access to a learning management platform to share information and exchange ideas. The impact on both Australian and Chinese students was measured qualitatively through thematic analysis of student Skype conversations, reflections, and open-ended survey questions, and quantitatively through multiple choice survey questions. The main finding for this paper, which focuses on the quantitative data, was that this pre-departure interaction alerted Chinese students in China to their English language limitations and motivated them to do further English language learning prior to and once they had arrived in Australia. The quantitative data also pointed to the kinds of information which students wanted to know prior to coming to Australia which in some cases was different from what had been anticipated by the researchers

Developing The Understanding And Practice Of Inclusion In Higher Education For International Students With Disabilities/Additional Needs: A Whole Schooling Approach

In this paper we present research on inclusion in higher education using a whole schooling philosophy. We seek insight into the perspectives of international students with disabilities/additional needs, three of whom from this particular research group are from non- English speaking backgrounds and attending the same university in Melbourne, Australia. In this paper we used voice relational methodology to analyse these students’ experiences of inclusive practice. These experiences provide the basis for our discussion of fundamental differences among various kinds of inclusive practice and cultures, resulting in a typology including support systems and experiences from staff and disability liaison personnel. In doing so, we aim to inform policy and models for best practice to maximise the educational experiences of international students with disabilities and additional needs, and indeed, of all students. Finally, we discuss the implications of the findings for lecturers, teachers, support staff and policy makers in implementing strategic and successful inclusion for international students with a disability/additional needs in a higher education context