Caryl drives studio teaching in planning discipline

Dr Caryl Bosman has recieved a Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning from the Australian Government.
Dr Caryl Bosman has recieved a Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning from the Australian Government.

Studio teaching is the new buzz word in urbanand environmentalplanning education.

And if anyone knows how to use this to transform teaching and learning it’s Dr Caryl Bosman.

It’s her leadership in the design, implementation and scholarly evaluation of studio teaching that has seen her awarded a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning as part of the Australian Awards for University Teaching, administered by the Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching.

Dr Bosman, a senior lecturer in theSchool of Environment, said studio teaching was all about student centred learning.

“A studio is a large physical space that is hands on, interactive and allows students to work with real life urbane and environmental planning issues,” she said.”

“The staff to student ratio is a lot higher during a studio and the staff are there to support the students to ensure theyachievethestated learningoutcomes.

“It’s about learning to problem solve in an innovative and creative way.”

Dr Bosman said she was passionate about this style of teaching because it was engaging for staff and students.

“I don’t see myself as an academic who imparts knowledge, I see my role as a person who stimulates knowledge,” she said.

“The students have the knowledge and I help draw it out of the students. It’s about their capabilities and their skill development.”

Dr Bosman said tasks set in a studio session involve local planning issues on the Gold Coast with actual developers.

“It’s about engaging and connecting with the discipline they have enrolled in. Here they get their hands dirty from day one.”

See who else received a Citation here.