A case study in learning spaces for physical-virtual two-campus interaction

Abstract

In this paper we present results from our ongoing project Student Active Learning in a Two campus Organization(SALTO). This is funded as part of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology’s (NTNU) Teaching Excellence scheme. The initiative consists of a portfolio of development measures, with the purpose of developing innovative approaches to learning, teaching and assessment. The aim of SALTO is to develop pedagogical strategies for the two-campus master’s program Music, Communication and Technology(MCT). This is a joint program between NTNU and the University of Oslo, with the students being split between the cities of Trondheim and Oslo 500 km apart. The program is built around a shared physical-virtual space -the Portal -with a range of high-quality audiovisual technologies. The SALTO project focuses on how the Portal can be used for all activities in the program, with an emphasis on human-computer interaction, resource sharing and collaboration. This is done by students and teachers exploring educational, methodological, and technological solutions together. As such, the SALTO project uses the Portalas a "living lab", which is constantly evolving and being optimized for student-active learning scenarios. In this paper, we present and discuss three cases from the first year of the project: (1) The MCT Opening Ceremony, (2) A "Christmas concert" between to upper secondary schools in Trondheim and Oslo, (3) An intensive workshop-based course with a mix of preparations, lectures and hands-on exercises. The three cases do in various ways present some of the challenges and possibilities of two-campus teaching.