Following the CRC Service Review and a pilot Object Based Learning (OBL) research project (in partnership with UCL and Central St Martin's, developed by Neil Lebeter, Art Collections Curator) a need was identified for a semi-permanent wall in the CRC Research Suite to facilitate the use of art collections for teaching. The wall needs to be suitable for hanging artwork for seminars and hosting temporary student-led micro exhibitions. Student feedback during the OBL pilot included:
"Instrumental in understanding the development of this kind of work / craftsmanship… brilliant experience, something very special about it." (UG, Illustration)
"It is always an excellent experience to really see, touch and feel the objects that are usually seen and appreciated in museums or galleries." (PG, History of Art)
62% of students agreed that 'Object Based Learning is a more effective way of learning that reading a book or listening to a talk or lecture'.
The University's Art Collection is a key part of a unique offer to students and the teaching wall would enhance the current development of teaching activities using the collection. The wall has the added innovative benefit of facilitating student-led learning through the creation of displays and exhibitions whilst learning about the technical aspects of hanging artwork.
The wall would be used immediately in both postgraduate and undergraduate teaching, including the Torrie Collection MSc course, MSc History of the Book and also the new cross-CHSS Undergraduate elective, Edinburgh Collections. Seminars for these already take place in the 6th floor Research Suite, therefore the wall would have an immediate positive impact on our teaching offer.
The wall would have an additional function of providing a corridor to the 6th floor seminar room. It also has the additional benefit of reconfiguration if future alterations need to be made to the space.