Back to School: Creating Spaces for Dialogue in Higher Education

Dialogue is an essential element of higher education. Whether in-person or online, critical discourse drives learning – and the institutions where it takes place – forward. While much of the essential work of students and professors happens quietly, much of it is found in conversations over theories, books, problems, research, and more. With communication being fundamental to the health of higher education, campuses should have spaces that support and strengthen healthy exchanges of all kinds. So what sets supportive spaces apart?

In order for two or more people to effectively come together, the spaces in which they meet should have the right tools in place. In-person dialogue should be supported by functional furniture—such as the Steelcase Node chair, which encourages movement. Further, having the right work tools can ensure that many minds can share their thoughts, whether visually, audibly, or otherwise.

In addition to the need for supportive furniture, technology support should be in place to further augment meaningful conversation. In-person and online dialogue—which so often blend together—both depend on power to reach their maximum potential. Support such as this integrated power distributor ensures every student has access to the power they need to use their devices.

What other ways can higher education support dialogue? Explore education ideas in this guide or share your ideas in the comments below. We would love to hear from you.

Custer is proud to bring you insights from our partner, Steelcase.