Transforming learning spaces for 21st Century learners: Implications for Professional Development

In the current context of higher education the need for rapid change to attract global markets is paramount. Through significant investment in learning spaces and technology, teaching and learning can be accessed through multimodal settings such as: face-to-face, online, blended, multi-campus and international settings. Educators therefore need to be supported in a pedagogical shift towards developing learning designs that support and encourage active learning experiences that are comparable for students in any educational environment, including distributed settings. This paper describes implications for the instructor and the development of a professional learning program, which is being designed to support an institution-wide transformation of learning approaches and the development of new generation learning spaces. The professional learning program aims to support staff in maximizing their teaching potential in these innovative, technology rich learning spaces and to lead to the development of learning experiences that maximize student learning.