Today Nayiri talks to me about an activity that embeds a micro-course on sustainability in a module and helps them consider wider implications.

Nayiri Keshishi

Teaching Fellow (Learning Development), University of Surrey

[email protected]

Bio: Nayiri is a Learning & Development Teaching Fellow, with over seven years' experience in the design, development and delivery of engaging learning programmes, with a focus on academic and professional skills development. She has an MSc in Occupational & Business Psychology and is also a Fellow of The Higher Education Academy.

Web: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/people/nayiri-keshishi 

Hiral and I talk about the way spaces impact on learning. For further information check out these links:

Our podcast series: https://futurelearningenvironments.org/podcasts/

The design-research studio on university learning spaces (students' visions of their campus, based on their experiences): https://futurelearningenvironments.org/le-dr-lab/

Survey of capabilities in HEI that I mentioned and the tool that I am developing: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/148222/

Pilot of the ‘Learning-space alinger’ tool at CU https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/141424/. More pilots happening now.

A book chapter on my research on the library – the theoretical basis for my work so far - https://centaur.reading.ac.uk/76702/

A cryptic title to this weeks episode perhaps. Amy introduces some group classroom activities to promote learning and trust amongst students. Take a listen and let us know what you think. If you're interested in contributing you can contact me at [email protected] as we prepare for season two.

Nadine discusses the introduction of a 4 week module at the beginning of the first year for Business and Management students (345 students approx.). Aiding transition and getting students to a place where they are thinking about industry and employment very early on in their academic journey. 

Gary and I talk about how students can benefit from authentic learning and assessment experiences. If you'd like to connect with Gary his Twitter handle is @Gary_F_Fisher

If you're interested in contributing to the podcast please contact Roger at [email protected]

How to use creativity and help your students become more creative.

If you have an idea for a podcast contact Roger at [email protected]

How to get students to talk about issues by using visual images as a starting point. For further information you can check out David's website https://www.davidrobertsonline.org/professional

How do you get students to open up, engage and perhaps get to grips with some difficult subjects? Alan talks about his experiences with Lego serious play and the way he's used it in various classrooms teaching various subjects. You can find Alan's article here: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1472669620000523 which is to my article, 'Using Lego® Serious Play® in Higher Education with Law Students: Encouraging Playfulness and Creativity within Library Workshops'.

This may also be of interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V_p0Do3_AI A video presented by Rober Rasmussen (the ​person who trained me) and Per Kristiansen, talking about how the process plays out in a workshop.

Some other useful reading: Sean Blair and Marco Rillo: How to Facilitate Meetings & Workshops Using the LEGO Serious Play Method, David Gauntlett: Making is Connecting, Alison James and Chrissi Nerantzi (eds): The Power of Play in Higher Education, Journal of Play in Adulthood (ed. Andrew Walsh) https://www.journalofplayinadulthood.org.uk/

If you'd like a chat about Lego Serious Play or any aspect of introducing play and creativity into educational practice, I'd be more than happy to share my experiences. Just contact me at [email protected]and we can Zoom or arrange a call.

There are lots of ways of providing feedback, many of which students seem to ignore. In this episode Steve talks about his experience of using audio feedback and the engagement from students who feel it provide a more authentic voice and is more individualised to them.

We all know how important reflection is but sometimes it can be hard thing to get students to do successfully. Find out how here.