Exploring a blended learning approach involving crowd mapping for developing sense of place

Concrete experience: Capturing sense of place information on campus (Day 1 to Day 3)Through crowd mapping, groups of 4 to 5 students, with at least one from each participating university, collected data about places from the afternoon of the first day to the end of the third day.They collected data using the Mergin Maps (https://merginmaps.com) mobile app with a set of close-ended questions about how places are perceived.Collecting data in groups allowed locals to guide the visitors through the study area and mitigated the impacts of any connectivity challenges.Reflective observation: Group discussion (Day 2) Group discussions among students about their understanding of sense of place. Abstract conceptualisation: Recorded lectures (Day 2)Students had one hour to work through a video (narrated presentation) of a theoretical introduction to sense of place. Abstract conceptualisation: In-person lectures and discussions (Day 4)In-person presentation by two UP lecturers about sense of place.A subsequent discussion was used to gauge students' level of understanding of the concepts related to sense of place and its strategic importance in the context of geographical research.Students' ability to apply and interpret these concepts was also explored.Heat maps of the place information were presented, leading to further discussions and debates about these encounters.