Student Growth and Development in New Higher Education Learning Spaces: Student-centred Learning in Singapore (Routledge Research in Higher Education)

Learning spaces are an increasing area of debate in higher education studies, as universities attempt to develop holistic forms of education that connect epistemological areas. Focusing on faculty-student collaborative learning in residential colleges in Singapore, this book carefully examines how we can enable students to grow and develop, not just as workers for the global marketplace but also as unique individuals. Showcasing the diversity of programs and initiatives that contribute to student learning outcomes, the volume draws upon the real-world experiences of educators and students. Contributors examine the benefits and challenges of crafting and implementing innovative programs and activities focused on the technologies of learning, interdisciplinary thinking, experiential learning, community engagement and authenticity. Students, working with one another, their teachers and community partners, also play a pivotal role in co-creating their learning journeys. The chapter authors provide their critical reflections on how the experiences and lessons learnt may apply to other learning spaces in higher education (including online and blended spaces). This edited volume will be relevant to any educator, researcher or student interested in creative learning spaces, and innovative programmes and activities that bring together students, educators and community partners. This book examines how we can enable students to grow and develop, not just as workers for the global marketplace but as unique individuals. It will be relevant to any educator, researcher or student interested in creative learning spaces, and innovative programs and activities that bring together students, educators and community partners. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Series Page 3 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 List of Figures 12 List of Tables 13 List of Contributors 14 Preface 17 1. The Impact and Potential of Residential Colleges: An Overview 18 Introduction 18 The Uniqueness of Asian Residential Colleges 19 Benefits of Residential Colleges 20 Help for Transitioning Students and Marginalised Students 21 Academic and Social Support 21 Enabling Factors and High-Impact Practices 22 Intentional Design 22 Opportunities and Resources for Involvement 23 Social Interactions 23 Road Map of Book Chapters 24 Acknowledgements 27 References 27 2. Knowing and Doing: Making Learning Spaces in a Residential College 31 Introduction: The Technology of Learning Spaces 31 Research Context: Learning Spaces in Residential Colleges 32 An Example: Sitting in a Residential College 34 Chairs as Technologies 34 Reconfiguring Spaces during COVID-19 35 Technologies of Learning 37 A Formal Setting: Learning in a Module 38 An Informal Setting: Making a Makerspace 38 Reconsidering Making during COVID-19 39 Epistemic Aims 40 Conclusion 42 Acknowledgements 43 Notes 43 References 44 3. Opportunities and Challenges in Developing Interdisciplinary Thinking in Undergraduate Education 47 Interdisciplinary Thinking in Higher Education 47 CAPSTONE as a Unique Learning Space 49 Methodology 51 Findings 51 Evidence of Higher-Order Skills 52 Student Conditions in Enabling IDT 53 Curiosity and Openness 53 Respect and Humility 54 Self-Awareness of Disciplinary Identities 55 Discussion 56 Implications 57 Student Conditions 57 Learning Environment and Process 57 Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the CAPSTONE 58 Conclusion 60 Acknowledgements 61 Notes 61 References 61 4. A Hybrid Model of Students-as-Partners: A Systematic Exploration of Co-created Experiential Learning in Higher Education 64 Introduction 64 Background and Context 66 The Case Study 66 Participants, Data and Measures 67 Findings (Part 1) 68 The Two Phases and SaP Theme 68 Ideation and Negotiation 68 Collaboration and Execution 69 SaP Theme: Equalising Power and Creating Agency 70 Findings (Part 2) 72 Survey Results and Findings from the Reflective Essays 72 Affective Learning Outcome 74 Cognitive Learning Outcome 76 Discussion and Implications 77 SaP in the Times of COVID-19 79 Acknowledgements 79 Notes 79 References 80 5. Facilitating Student Learning in the Informal Curriculum: Community Engagement Festival as a Case Study 82 Evaluating Student-Led Community Engagement in a Residential College in Singapore 82 Research Context 83 Sense of Belonging as an Outcome 84 Prior Attitudes towards Community Engagement 85 History of CE Fest 85 Structure of CE Fest 87 Research Question and Methodology 88 Pre- and Post-Surveys 88 Participants 89 Empirical Data 90 Pre-existing Civic Consciousness 90 Learning Outcomes Pre- and Post-intervention 90 Diversity in ILO Scores across Community Trails 91 Discussion 93 Increased Understanding and Sense of Belonging 93 Differences across Trails 94 Conclusion: Creating Impactful Learning through the Informal Curriculum 95 Acknowledgements 97 Notes 97 References 97 6. Practising Individual and Relational Authenticity: Insights from Self-Reflection Workshops for Senior Students 100 Introduction 100 A Space for Self-Reflection: A Brief Overview of Tembusu’s TYE Workshops 102 The “Authentic Career” as a Framework 103 Dimensions of Practising Personal and Relational Authenticity: What Students Said 105 “A Space Where You Can Talk” 105 The Facilitator’s Role 106 A Space for Practising Individual Authenticity 109 A Space for Practising Relational Authenticity 110 Conclusion 111 Acknowledgements 112 Notes 113 References 113 7. Reflections and Aspirations 115 Introduction 115 Lessons Learnt in Our Learning Spaces 115 Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic 116 Meeting the COVID-19 Pandemic Head On 118 The Impact on Residential Life 119 The Impact on Mental Health and Wellness 120 The Impact on Quality of Education 120 The Future of Higher Education 121 Aspirations and Moving Forward 122 Optimising Virtual Meetings 122 Focusing on Mental Wellness and Health 122 Enhancing the Quality of Education 123 Ensuring Equal Access 123 Building the Learning Community 124 In Closing 124 Acknowledgements 125 References 125 Index 128 Student,Growth;,Learning,Spaces;,Routledge,Research;,Higher,Education;,Siok,Kuan,Tambyah;,Tambyah;,Singapore;,Residential,Colleges;,Undergraduate,Education;,Interdisciplinary,Thinking;,Students-as-Partners;,learning,communities;,Learning,Spaces;,Undergraduate,Education;,Community,Engagement;,Informal,Curriculum;,Self-Reflection;,Workshops Student Growth,Learning Spaces,Routledge Research,Higher Education,Siok Kuan Tambyah,Tambyah,Singapore,Residential Colleges,Undergraduate Education,Interdisciplinary Thinking,Students-as-Partners,learning communities,Learning Spaces,Undergraduate Education,Community Engagement,Informal Curriculum,Self-Reflection,Workshops "Learning spaces are an increasing area of debate in Higher Education Studies, as universities attempt to develop holistic forms of education that connect epistemological areas. Focusing on faculty-student collaborative learning in residential colleges in Singapore, this book carefully examines how we can enable students to grow and develop, not just as workers for the global marketplace but also as unique individuals. Showcasing the diversity of programs and initiatives that contribute to student learning outcomes, the volume draws upon the real-world experiences of educators and students. Contributors examine the benefits and challenges of crafting and implementing innovative programs and activities focused on the technologies of learning, interdisciplinary thinking, experiential learning, community engagement and authenticity. Students, working with one another, their teachers and community partners, also play a pivotal role in co-creating their learning journeys. The chapter authors provide their critical reflections on how the experiences and lessons learnt may apply to other learning spaces in higher education (including online and blended spaces). This edited volume will be relevant to any educator, researcher or student interested in creative learning spaces, and innovative programs and activities that bring together students, educators and community partners"-- Provided by publisher