Develop student learning opportunities. This takes into account the
course documents, the teacher's personal theories of teaching and learning, the
student’s interest, their preferred learning styles and their understanding and
skills. It is in this area that the teacher as facilitator is able to provide
opportunities for student learning that will take hold of the students' interests and thus
motivate them to engage in the learning opportunity. Harrison (1998a & b) has
presented the S.P.A.C.E. model for creating optimal learning conditions. The conditions
for optimal learning include the following:
Self-affimation – the learner’s view themselves as
effective learners and the teachers provide them with feedback to that effect;
Personal meaning – the learners are able to find personal
meaning in the learning. That is, the learning is relevant to them;
Active learning - the learners are active in the learning,
whether that activity is physically doing something (as for concrete learners) or
intellectually doing something (as for abstract reflective learners).
Collaborative – the learners are able to collaborate with
others in the learning process and not to view learning as an isolating experience;
Empowering – the learners are able to shape the learning
process, to have control over what is learnt and the direction of the learning.
