About this project

The Spatial Competency and Literacy for Educators (SCALE) project is a professional learning program designed to help educators harness the power of learning space to enhance teaching and learning. Grounded in global research and aligned to the Australian teacher standards, SCALE equips participants with the tools to critically reflect on and teach effectively within innovative learning environments, and supports meaningful alignment between pedagogy, space, and student outcomes.

In partnership with AITSL and aligned with the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan the overarching aim of this project is to develop and validate a professional learning model on spatial competency. The professional learning program will be informed by the results of a survey of Victorian teachers to identify their professional learning needs in relation to spatial competency. The resulting program will be validated through involvement with teachers from three schools undertaking the professional learning program over a six-month period.

Developing teachers’ spatial competency is key to understanding and learning how to use the affordances of school learning environments to achieve the lifelong and multidisciplinary learning skills required of today’s students.


Scope

Three key research questions provide a scope for the study:

  1. What are some of the professional learning frameworks being implemented by successful school systems globally?
  2. What are Victorian teachers' professional learning needs for developing their spatial competency?
  3. What is the impact of the professional learning program on teacher's efficacy and their teaching?

Impact

SCALE intends to create an effective and scalable model of professional learning for teachers transitioning into ILEs.

By working closely with AITSL, this innovative study contributes significantly to yield positive social and educational outcomes by supporting Australian teachers with the development of their spatial competency to improve the learning and outcomes of students.

Meet our Chief Investigators

An interdisciplinary team driving innovation at the intersection of pedagogy, space, and student learning. Drawing on deep expertise in education, research, and learning environments.

  • Associate Professor of Learning Environments, The University of Melbourne (Project Lead)

  • Lecturer, Faculty of Education, The University of Melbourne

  • Lecturer, Faculty of Education, The University of Melbourne

  • Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne

  • Research Associate, Faculty of Education, The University of Melbourne