Classroom Renovation: Learner-Centered Design

In response to the president’s initiative to create a learning centered campus, Academic Affairs has collaborated with the Physical Plant to renovate a variety of classrooms around the concept of learner-centered design.

In such a classroom, the faculty aims to create an environment where students are active participants in learning, develop themselves independently and collaborate in ways that support the learning efforts of others. There is a body of empirical research to support both the efficacy of such environments as well as the specific criteria that foster the creation of such an environment.

In Academic Affairs we studied the literature on classroom environments and relied on that research as well as extensive surveys of students and faculty to guide our decision-making on the project. Some of the key elements that we tried to achieve through the renovations are as follows:

Flexibility: used furniture that allowed for various configurations of the classroom fostering small group, large group, or seminar capacity in one setting.
Technology: developed a campus standard for technology enhanced classrooms (computer, projector, document camera, smart sympodium, DVD player) in order to maximize the learning-potential in the classroom, fostering experimentation with technology enhanced pedagogy.
Color and Comfort: The importance of comfort should not be diminished in relation to the creation of learning-centered spaces. We added vibrant colors that have been well received by the students, carpeting, and chairs that are ergonomically supportive.
Sound: The addition of carpet and in some cases the replacement of ceiling tiles has reduced unnecessary and distracting sound in the classrooms.

Classroom Photos: Before and After

Phase 3 Classroom Renovations PDF (July 26, 2007)

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