What is the Studio model of learning?
According to J.A. Lackney, who researched and published on Studio-based learning, the roots of the approach are seeded in John Dewey’s laboratory school at The University of Chicago. Learning and facilitation approach at The Walden School are entrenched in social constructivist approach to learning. Hence, it is fitting that John Dewey’s work and education philosophy inspires our work at The Walden School.
Principles of Studio-based learning:
- Learners work like apprentices in a common space called “The Studio” under the tutelage of a “master facilitator.”
- Learners engage with the community they live in especially in processes that facilitate the functioning of the world.
- Concepts across disciplines are facilitated in relation to an understanding of the world and its processes.
- Learners interact when needed with each other on their designs, ideas, concepts and knowledge construction.
- Learners undergo periodic critiques, known as “crits,” of their designs, projects, or products. Crits are for gaining understanding and comprehension about one’s own work. They occur student-to-master facilitator first followed by evolving self-learning crits between peers.
- It is driven by the pragmatic. The idea is to get one’s hands involved in their work and revise it until it becomes their best work, followed by self-evaluation and assessment of the outcome.
- Final work or products are presented publicly thereby dissolving the boundaries between school and community.
How is a Studio different from a lab?
The difference is as simple and striking as the difference between students learning ‘learning to be something’ (Studio) rather than ‘learning about something’ (Lab). A lab uses standardised procedures with set equipment to reproduce a protocol in order to obtain set outcomes. A Studio is a space that invigorates, inspires, provides an opportunity to create, construct and test objectives and hypotheses and analyse data. While a lab enables a learner to test given assumptions with predefined outcomes, a Studio provides the required impetus to innovate, explore, and construct new knowledge.
Advantages of using The Studio Model of Learning
We believe that the Studio approach is the preferred model of learning to facilitate the process of education.
- It allows for local cultural and environmental contextualisation and engagement with the community to understand processes of life.
- It allows for a thorough understanding of Math, Science, Language, Literature, Social sciences, Humanities, Global culture, Arts and allied disciplines.
- It allows for interdisciplinary as well as cross-cultural learning integrating Fundamental sciences, Social sciences and Mathematics.
- It facilitates an understanding of applied sciences like Engineering, Medicine, Agriculture, Linguistics, Anthropology etc.
- It shapes a journey that is personalised for each learner and facilitates an understanding of multiple perspectives.
Learn more about Studio-based learning:
A History of the Studio-based Learning Model: Jeffery A. Lackney