Principle 7
A learning environment that is flexible and responsive to student support needs
What is a learning environment?
Learning environments may be an amalgam of physical and virtual facilities, services and resources depending on the nature of the course, its offering, student type, location etc. The online environment sits as a nested set of virtual learning resources and communication avenues within the broader learning environment of the course. Learning environments should enable effective, efficient, satisfying and accessible learning by all in the target group.
What is flexible?
- Place of learning
- Time of learning
- Pace of learning
- Periods of learning
- Content of learning
- Methods of learning
- Choice of media/technology
- Choice of assessment methods
What is student-centred?
- Demonstrating interest and enthusiasm for teaching and promoting student learning
- Arousing curiosity and stimulating independent learning and the development of critical thought
- Encouraging and developing co-operative and collaborative learning
- Recognising and building on the knowledge, skills and experience that learners bring.
What is a student support service orientation?
- Guiding and advising students effectively and empathically
- Respecting diverse talents and ways of learning and engendering respect for intellectual diversity
- Assisting students from equity groups to participate and achieve success in their courses
- Communicating high expectations and encouraging students to do their best
- Providing appropriate assessment, including the provision of worthwhile feedback to students on their learning and guidance about what to do to improve their performance
What is a quality learning environment?
According to the national study by Scott (2005, pp.13-14):
Figure 2: Quality management framework for learning and teaching in higher education
Diagram suggests that:
- if a soundly constructed (i.e. a relevant, flexible, responsive, assessment-focused, accessible, learner-centred, feasible and clearly understood) learning design (A)
- is implemented by consistently capable, accessible and responsive staff using an appropriate combination of interactive, practice-oriented, problem-based learning methods (B)
- and if this delivery is consistently supported by directly relevant, responsive, value-adding and appropriate support from key enabling areas like IT, the library, learning support groups and a positive social and university environment (C)
then
- productive learning (improved retention and a positive change in student capabilities) (D) will result.
References
Scott, G (2005), Accessing the Student Voice Using CEQuery to
identify what retains students and promotes engagement in productive learning
in Australian higher education, A Project Funded by the Higher Education
Innovation Program and The Collaboration and Structural Reform Fund Department
of Education, Science and Training.
