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Key Aspects of Teaching and Learning in the Visual Arts

This paper begins with a discussion of approaches to co-creation and the application of design thinking (Sanders and Stappers, 2008). In this discussion, examples of co-creation approaches include Open Space Technology (Owen, 1997) a model of collaborative, research-informed facilitation and writing mostly used in higher education settings. The discussion reveals aspects of these approaches which enhance co- creation and peer to peer facilitation as well as high quality research- informed writing and curriculum development using the cognitive characteristics of design thinking (Oxman, 1999 & 2004). Significant features of the OST model are assessed to understand relevance for educators and practitioners in design as an anti-hierarchical approach to research-informed writing and curriculum development. The paper goes on to analyse two case studies of different stages in the experience of a group of art and design educators brought together to re-imagine a research-informed curriculum after an institutional merger. The group uses co-creation and OST informed approaches such as World Café and Bar Camps to co-create a blueprint for a research-informed curriculum. This analysis draws on evaluation reports. The paper concludes with suggestions for further development in design Higher Education contexts.