A resilient approach to teaching and learning – Workshop
On the 31st of January, the PEOPLE project was represented at the HE Academy STEM Teaching and Learning Conference in Birmingham. In pedagogical literature, expectations around innovation in education entail demands on curricular development and the delivery of teaching and learning objectives: an ideal education setting is often imagined as one in which teacher and student alike are engaged with the construction and revision of bodies of knowledge (Martin 2008, 302). This workshop broadened the scope to include industry and community partners in the learning process alongside teachers and students.
After a 15-minute presentation about the scope of the PEOPLE project and the case study, participants took 25 minutes to discuss, in groups of 3, how they would set up a module through a people-centred approach. Their module description included the course aims, the learning and teaching methods and the assessment of the students. These elements were then discussed in the following 20 minutes.
The workshop included a critical discussion of knowledge exchange across industry and academia – recognising how knowledge is co-constructed by students, teachers and industry partners in an “intersubjective dialogue of shared meanings” (Light, G., R. Cox and S. Calkins 2009, 30). It highlighted the critical aspects of knowledge creation, beyond social dialogue (Barnett 1997).
Participants talked about difficulties this kind of learning presents and how to prepare and how best to avoid the most common pitfalls. It also highlighted the significant rewards for all participants, not least the striking responses from students involved in such projects.
Among the takeaway learning, we note the following insights into:
- how to identify and negotiate relationships with potential partners
- how to incorporate people-centred approaches into existing or new curricula
- how to apply people-centred development to product and services in the private, public or third sector
- how to manage conflicting priorities
The workshop welcomed participants into the international community of PEOPLE-centred learning practitioners for future collaboration. It marked the beginning of a collaboration that involves sharing resources, advice and support for putting collaborative and co-creative projects into action.
Visit this page to see the workshop abstract and the rest of the programme.