Special Collections as a catalyst for flexible pedagogical approaches: three case studies

Authors

  • Maria Kukhareva University of Bedfordshire
  • Anne Lawrence University of Bedfordshire
  • Katherine Koulle IOE / UCL
  • Nazlin Bhimani IOE /UCL

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.v0i16.549

Keywords:

Flexible Pedagogies, Special Collections, Historical Artefacts, Museum Education, Academic Writing, Information Literacy, Narrative Enquiry

Abstract

University Special Collections are increasingly being recognised as a valuable pedagogical resource in higher education teaching and learning. The value of historic artefacts as a cross-disciplinary tool to promote higher order thinking processes such as criticality, questioning and narrative construction is well-established in the museum education literature and is gaining increasing attention in teaching and learning development. In this paper, we present three case studies in which we explore the application of Special Collections in a range of learning development contexts, in order to help students engage with their discipline and discipline-specific higher order skills. Our case studies are explorative in the sense of ‘trialling’ the use of historic artefacts in the classroom, to inform our next steps and development of our method. We conclude with our reflections on the process and outcomes of our explorations, to inform our practice and that of other educators looking to apply this method.

Author Biography

Maria Kukhareva, University of Bedfordshire

I work in Professional and Academic Development at the University of Bedfordshire.

I specialise in supporting postgraduate students in their scholarly activity and delivering Higher Order academic skills support. I also develop collaborative projects around embedding academic skills (into curriculum) and deliver CPD training to teaching staff.

While my professional and academic background spans across Linguistics, Marketing and Widening Participation, my most recently developed expertise lies in Sociology of Education and Teaching and Learning.

My doctoral research explores operationalising resilience and draws on educational and sociological theory. My research interests are reflective pedagogies, learner identity; transitions and turning points; resilience framework as a holistic approach to complex realities and life journeys.

I have published work on history of childhood, participation in higher education and experiences of UK migrants. I have presented my work at over twenty conferences in the UK, Canada and Europe.

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Published

17-12-2019

How to Cite

Kukhareva, M. (2019) “Special Collections as a catalyst for flexible pedagogical approaches: three case studies”, Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, (16). doi: 10.47408/jldhe.v0i16.549.

Issue

No. 16 (2019)

Section

Papers

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