Curious objects: transformative pedagogies in practice

Abstract

Object-Based Learning (OBL) has become a core approach for enhancing student awareness of learning and study practices within art and design education, alongside more traditional uses of objects for exploring material culture and developing critical thinking, object literacy and contextual analysis. Methods and approaches towards these forms of OBL have been developed at UAL through collaborations between Collection Managers and Academic Support across UAL, to co-design and co-deliver teaching. Some of this development has been reported on at internal UAL and external conferences and Community of Practice events. The most recent event was the well-received Teaching Platform event ‘Learning through objects: Transformative pedagogies in practice’ which was delivered to 90 delegates, mainly external, on 23rd November 2016. This workshop will repeat the session for attendees at the Learning and Teaching Day 2017.

Participants will be invited to explore how objects can be used to encourage students to think about personal and disciplinary values and reactions in relation to objects, and to consider how examining questions can be a meaningful way into habits of mind when researching, as well as a way to stimulate an inclusive approach to engaging learners with diversity in ways of seeing and learning:

“The fact that people see stuff very differently – they see artefacts very differently depending on their discipline. You totally prejudge it in terms of where you come from. It was that fundamental.” —comment by media lecturer on previous workshop at the 2016 Teaching Platform event

“[…] this is a great way to reflect on what disciplines other than your own bring to a subject. It is additionally a non-judgmental approach which encourages discussion, helping to develop agency in learning.” Delegate quote from a post-workshop interview, T & L Platform Event Nov 2016