Bristol Institute for Learning and Teaching

In this BILT-run hybrid event, facilitated by Fiona Hartley, there was an invaluable opportunity to hear insights and experiences about teaching in the round from staff and students at Oregon State University (OSU) and University of California, Riverside (UCR) respectively.  

For those attending in-person in Berkeley Square the nearly full moon was out in honour of the occasion, allowing an opportunity to reflect on readiness for teaching fully in the round in Temple Quarter from September 2026. 

Embracing the opportunity to find a shared window across time zones, this event provided a culmination to much of the collaborative work which has taken place over the last six months in considering and preparing for what will make an engaging, immersive and inspiring new learning and teaching space at the University of Bristol campus.  

The event started with an opportunity for the practitioners to share a positive, a potential barrier and a top tip for teaching and learning in the round.  

After hearing from Erica Woekel (Clinical Associate Professor in Kinesiology, OSU), Israel Fletes (Senior Director of Academic Innovations, CRU), Marc Eric Cholewczynski (Associate Director of Academic Technology Technical Services, OSU), Joseph Sepulveda (Manager, Teaching and Learning Initiatives, CRU), Jeanie Lai (Design Principal, Bora Architects) and Jon Louis Dorbolo (Executive Planning Committee for the Learning Innovation Centre, OSU- retired) some of the key aspects which developed were: 

Positives:  

• A real sense of sharing a space – with closer proximity – even with a class of 550. Leading to increased interactions – reduced distance and creating a sense of community (Erica) 

• It brings students forwards into learning experiences (Israel) 

• An opportunity to think differently about the possibilities of teaching and learning (Marc) 

• It is an investment in non-traditional spaces and people respond positively to this – for example wider community (Marc) 

• Allowed for thinking about lecture halls in a different way and thinking a little differently (Jeanie) 

• Invited consideration of how engagement impacts on student success as well as bringing a sense of excitement about the space (Jeanie) 

Potential barriers: 

• There can be an element of self-consciousness, especially in drawing on performance skills. The centre console needs to be prepared – as well as using  ‘the spokes’ (aisles) to help with movement (Erica) 

• It does involve getting used to teaching differently – you have to keep moving. Proctoring of exams is different in a space like this (Israel) 

• One of the potential barriers in ensuring set-up time for the technology – it is like theatre. (Jeanie) 

Top tips:  

• Work closely with those involved in the technology. Make sure everything works and practise a lot. Having time to be immersed in there meant it was easier after the rehearsal (Erica) 

• When sharing the round space,  be cognizant of not having your back to people (Joseph) 

• While some faculty not interested in the space, there is an opportunity to conduct research on these spaces (Jon) 

• Focus on eye contact and connections and consider the use of proxemics in guiding design principles (Jeanie)   

The second part of the Q&A allowed for some questions from the audience members to the panel. Some of the key messages from contributors included:  

• Tracking around the room can be helpful – and distracting behaviour can be mitigated through movement.  

• When lecturers’ backs are turned, it is important to clarify expectations around this.  

• When students are on view to other students – behaviour changes. Lecturers have in some ways changed the power dynamics and democratised the expectation.  

• Active learning techniques and planning can be adapted and implemented in these spaces 

• There is an opportunity to adapt content and be really creative with side-by-side canvas.  

• From a student’s perspective (Moises) it felt more interactive – but it can take a while to gain attention  

• It is an opportunity for cultivating an atmosphere and working together as a group.  

Once again a huge thanks to our contributors and those in the BILT team for organising and running the event. If you missed it, you can catch up on the Q&A recording here and interact via the Padlet. 

Do you have any further reflections on teaching in the round? Interested in contributing a blog on this? Contact us through this link to find out more.