Life in a Fishbowl - Student Perception Data for Long-term Center Sustainability

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by kopisore

Communication center directors need continual analysis of student perceptions to strengthen long-term campus viability. This manuscript examines how liberal arts students at a small southern private university use and experience the Fishbowl, an instruction-focused communication center space. Through surveys, students report Fishbowl use, technology and furniture interactions, feedback on student projects, and improvement priorities. Situated learning theory is applied as a framework for collaborative learning and sustained center success.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Rationale

Literature Review

Situated Learning Theory

Communication Center Journal 2 Volume 4:1, 2018 Life in a Fishbowl: Student Perception Data for Long-term Center Sustainability Michael G. Strawser Bellarmine Univeristy Shawn Apostel Bellarmine University Moira OKeeffe Bellarmine University Communication center directors, staff and tutors must continually analyze student perception of the center space in order to promote long-term campus viability. Thus, this manuscript addresses perceptions of communication center liberal arts students at a small, southern private university. Through surveys, students were asked how they utilize the communication center space, what projects they worked on as communication center participants, and improvement for the future. The measure for this study included a survey with questions that addressed Fishbowl use, technology or furniture use in the Fishbowl, the feedback process on student projects, and Fishbowl improvements. Situated learning theory is presented asa theoretical framework for communication center success and collaborative learning. Keywords: Communication center, communication, situated learning theory, student perception Rationale In 2015, Kathleen Turner offered several benefits of Communication Center research and mentioned areas for future study. One question for Turner (2015) was the determination and improvement of instructional materials, and thus instructional spaces, through theoretically grounded, methodologically diverse studies. Bellarmine University, to engage the 21st century learner, created a multimodal communication center in the School of Communication. This center, affectionately known as the Fishbowl, houses a green screen, one-button studio, collaboration stations, Mac computers, and classrooms with video recording capabilities. In this piece, the authors explore the evolution of the Fishbowl as an instructional space, by surveying Bellarmine students who have used the Fishbowl for classes, peer collaboration, projects involving educational technology, etc. By asking students themselves about the center, we can knowhow our centers serve the university populations (Turner, 2015) . Ultimately, this manuscript represents yet another attempt to, as Turner (2015) wrote, share “the fruits of our labors [to] strengthen our centers by providing the enrichment afforded by synergy, cross-testing, and elaboration of key principles”(p. 3) . Literature Review We believe communication centers are vital learning spaces. Students today want relevant projects, applied perspectives, and there is an increased need for viable learning spaces on college campuses. This literature review will present a foundation that focuses on a theoretical lens for this study, an overview of assessment, and a presentation of our communication center learning space. Communication Center Journal 3 Volume 4:1, 2018 Situated Learning Theory Communication centers can be effective platforms for communities of learning practice. The ability for students to teach one another while engaging unofficially in the peer-teacher model is especially necessary when taking budget constraints into consideration. In the case of the Fishbowl, which will be described below, budgetary restrictions force us to cede the use of official student tutors and even prevent us from having substantial workshops or seminars. As a result, our reliance on student-to-student feedback and informal participatory learning is essential to the success of the center. As our communication center continues to evolve organically and institutionally, we believe it is important to collect student perceptions on the communication center. As a viable and collaborative space, the communication center is a natural community of practice and can be an example of what Lave and Wenger (1991) referred to as a location for substantial situated learning. Student collaboration and community learning can develop through the vital communication center space. Situated

FAQs

What is the purpose of the manuscript regarding the Fishbowl communication center?

It investigates student perceptions to support long-term sustainability by identifying how students use the Fishbowl, engage in projects, and suggest future improvements.

What types of survey topics are included in the study?

The survey covers Fishbowl use, technology or furniture use, the feedback process on student projects, and specific improvements students recommend.

How does situated learning theory relate to the Fishbowl?

Situated learning theory is presented as a framework for communication center success, emphasizing participation in communities of practice where learning develops through social interaction and collaborative involvement.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by kopisore