Exploring the Six Learning Spaces

The Liminal Space is a seemingly difficult space to understand. Basically, liminality refers to the ‘in-between’ moments, crossing the threshold between what has happened, and what is to come (Meyer, Land and Bailiee, 2010), and is the bridge between two states of mind.

The liminal space is conceptual, in that it is not a physical space, but rather a state of mind. As stated by Johnson (2009), we cannot see into our students’ minds, so can therefore not see or know what they are thinking or feeling. This, although can be viewed as a negative, should provide a learning, to not only the teachers but the students as well, in understanding this concept of ‘unknown’.

It's important for students to understand at an early age that the decisions they make will always result in an outcome and that this result can differ; the result can be positive and wanted, or it can be negative. The concept of the liminal space depicts the ‘in-between’, as previously mentioned. This space can often be daunting, especially to young students. This is the transition from something they have known or completed, and are venturing off into the unknown. Its important for students to understand that although they are moving into something new and potentially overwhelming or challenging, this type of environment “represents a transformed way of understanding, or interpreting, or viewing something, without which the learner cannot progress, and results in a reformulation of the learners’ frame of meaning” (Meyer, Land and Bailiee, 2010).

This is the type of environment that develops a growth mindset, in not only students, but in teachers as well. The period between finishing one thing, such as an assignment, a class activity, a students report, and then waiting to find what happens next is often a time full of wait and anticipation. As teachers, we must make sure the students feel supported throughout this time, letting them understand that this is a great way to come to know yourself as a person, but also it can make them aware of what they ‘don’t know’ and how this can lead to their own process of understand.

The liminal space is about “having the right accompaniment to help you see what you can’t see, challenge assumptions and narrowed perspectives, discover new truths, encourage, care and assist in any way possible to help get you through your “in-between.” (What is a Liminal Space (2011) This therefore depicts the importance of students and teachers all working together during this threshold. 

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Change is a constant in our lives, so we as educators need to ensure the students are able to transition through this portal with as little difficulty as possible. As all students are different, and there is no set way or steps to cross this bridge, different activities can be implemented by the teacher to help the students through this transition. Teachers should instil in students that change is okay, and is something that they will endure their whole lives, so this space should be taken with great care, using the students support networks (such as the teachers, parents, other students) to help them move through it. Activities such as writing in a journal, having peer discussions, talking to an adult, or even just accepting the unknowing are all great ways to scaffold students in their emotional roller coaster. 

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