Spatial typologies

The ILETC project is researching teachers’ experiences transitioning from traditional to more modern spaces with the focus on what support is needed to maximise the new opportunities these spaces provide. We’ve identified that successful spaces host a unique diversity of teaching, learning and environmental qualities that can assist teachers navigate their transition into innovative learning environments.

These can be viewed as a framework of spatial typologies which categorise the elements in developing effective learning spaces. We are currently developing a series of spatial typologies which refine these elements to their simplest form to assist teachers build a common language about them, and use these ‘types’ to organise their further professional learning and practices. We are working with some of our project partners – Steelcase, Ecophon and Microsoft to incorporate specialist knowledge from their respective fields.

None of the typologies attempt to clearly define an exact action, purpose, process or structure. They are called typologies for a good reason – ‘the study and interpretation of types and symbols’. They are intended to be nothing more than ‘a classification according to general type’. The intention is they are a portal to greater, more organised spatial learning for teachers. They are, in essence, a teacher-friendly, practice-focused summary of the mass of theoretical knowledge we have collectively built about innovative learning environments.

We are currently refining and validating these typologies and have created a series of videos to explain our  present thinking. They are a work in progress.

The following videos provide an overview of our thinking in the lead up to Transitions 19 (October 2019) where we used trialled the concept of the typologies with participants. Work is continuing on these and further iterations will be posted in coming months on our website.

Bellevue Hill Public School, NSW Dept of Education.

If you have any questions or comments regarding the typologies please contact joann.cattlin@unimelb.edu.au