Launched in September 2023, the Physical Teaching Spaces project aims to create shared standards for inclusive, technology-enabled teaching spaces across the University. The project is part of the Digital Transformation Programme, and aligns with the Digital Education Strategy 2023-27.
Good quality physical teaching spaces are a fundamental need, meeting this basic is the foundation for innovation. The Physical Teaching spaces project has set out to establish common inclusive standards to ensure that all teaching environments support both innovative pedagogy and the diverse needs of students and staff across the University with equity.
Helen Christain, Physical Spaces Project Sponsor
Since the summer of 2024, the project has been piloting a matrix of standards by conducting teaching space audits in volunteer departments, offering insights from Audio Visual (AV) IT and pedagogical perspectives.
Goals of the pilot include: establishing a University-wide matrix of standards, gathering actionable data on space needs from staff and students, generating broad support for the initiative and gaining insight into departmental budgets for space upgrades.
In due course, the Physical Spaces team will assess the practicality of a University-wide service for ongoing support of teaching space standardisation, forming a partnership between the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), AV IT and Estates Services.
Project benefits
Process improvement
Standardising the requirements and support for technology-enabled inclusive teaching spaces will make it quicker and easier to develop and implement plans for teaching space renewal and to source inputs.
Student and staff satisfaction
Shared standards for technology-enabled inclusive teaching spaces will enhance the staff and student experience by ensuring greater equity.
Cost Reduction
Insights into departments' existing teaching space renewal budgets will further refine outputs so that affordability considerations have an evidence-base in the final matrix of standards.
Better staff and student experience
Shared standards for technology-enabled inclusive teaching spaces will enhance pedagogical practice and enable innovation in teaching spaces across the University.
Timeline
September 2023: the Physical Teaching Spaces project launches
Autumn 2023 to November 2024: over 100 audits carried out across the University by the CTL and AV experts
September 2024: audit information used to develop standards for teaching and AV
Autumn and Winter 2024: standards validated with committees and student groups
Next steps: prepare funding proposal for implementing a physical ‘demonstration’ space that features a trail application of the standards that the project has developed
Outcome aims
- A central form of assessment to resolve local pedagogy and AV/IT issues across the Oxford University estate
- The projects aims are in line with the Oxford University Estates Strategy 2024-29
- Clearer routes to support teaching space standardisation through local investment in spaces
