Author Identifier
Date of Award
2026
Keywords
creative learning, pedagogies, spatial, spatial practice, environment, identity, studio, studio environment, school, curriculum, deep learning, OECD
Document Type
Thesis - ECU Access Only
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Degree Name
Master of Education
School
School of Education
First Supervisor
Julia Morris
Second Supervisor
Wesley Imms
Third Supervisor
Leon Benade
Abstract
This research investigates how secondary visual arts and design teachers utilise studio spaces to facilitate creative learning. While considerable research has examined teachers’ spatial competency in contemporary learning environments, many production arts teachers continue to work in traditional or non-contemporary spaces. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study explores how teachers’ spatial practices are shaped by both internal factors, such as professional identity, and external influences, including educational policy, school culture, and the physical learning environment.
By making the spatial dimension of teaching practice visible, this research proposes a framework for understanding how space informs pedagogy in secondary arts classrooms. The findings reveal that production arts teachers demonstrate a nuanced awareness of spatiality, with intentional spatial practices—driven by teacher identity, pedagogical intent, and the curation of studio infrastructure—transforming their environments to support curriculum requirements and students’ diverse learning needs. The studio environment is shown to function not as a passive backdrop, but as a dynamic agent in the creative process. Teachers adeptly navigate dual policy demands, balancing academic achievement with the development of twenty-first-century skills. As expert users of their environments, they contribute valuable insights to learning environments research. Mapping the relationship between space and pedagogy is central to fostering creativity in both teachers and students, and sustained collaboration among educators and policymakers is essential for cultivating environments in which creative learning can thrive.
Access Note
Access to this thesis is embargoed until 4th July 2027
Recommended Citation
Cooper, K. (2026). Can environments facilitate creative learning? A preliminary spatial investigation into mapping creative pedagogies. Edith Cowan University. https://doi.org/10.25958/xrq8-f189