Flex and inflexibility

The impact of real-time collaborative technologies in highly customisable video-linked teaching spaces

Abstract

This paper introduces a major investment in 'state of the art' video-linked teaching (VLT) facilities aimed at supporting collaborative teaching and learning across and beyond the campuses of Massey University. It reports how the design and development of the VLT spaces have resulted in unexpected challenges that are occasionally counter to the flexible teaching philosophy that has informed the design of the rooms. Some initial feedback is shared from the early experiences of staff and students, indicating several lessons for other institutions wishing to exploit the potential of VLT and related new 'hybrid' learning spaces. Overall the poster offers a glimpse into an engaging, tactile learning environment which goes beyond traditional video conferencing and highlights some of the pedagogical implications that have arisen through the project pilot phase.