The $32 million Center for Virtual Learning has opened to start the 2023-24 academic
year at Ferris State University.
Ferris State University’s new Center for Virtual Learning will provide future K-12 teachers opportunities to gain skills in a state-of-the-art, flexible setting.
The $32 million Center for Virtual Learning that opens next week offers School of Education leadership and staff members the chance to use enhanced technology to train teachers preparing to work in evolving educational environments.
“Furthering our applications of technology in the Education program will help our students prepare to teach through virtual means or in online instruction,” School of Education Director Liza Ing said. “We have incredible assets at our fingertips to advance our students’ abilities and attract future teachers who once chose other destinations for their training.”
Ing said the program will use three dedicated classrooms for their coursework, a project room and two breakout rooms. Faculty members were excited after looking through their instructional spaces and new offices.
“Some morning courses will be in the Esports Arena, which offers excellent technological opportunities for our instructors to employ and also provides students with the best method to present and share their work. Monitors available in all our learning spaces mean our students’ individual works and collaborative projects can be offered far beyond anything previously available.”
Modern furnishings and design are also welcome advances for the School of Education community.
“The desks and chairs can be easily and quickly rearranged, as we might need for study groups,” Ing said. “We have gone in several years across campus from Bishop Hall to the Arts and Sciences complex and on to the CVL, which is a very pleasant progression for our faculty and students.”
Other departments and programs beginning coursework in the Center for Virtual Learning include Information Security and Artificial Intelligence, the School of Digital Media and Extended and International Operations, which includes eLearning and the new Esports Production degree.
The CVL will also host Esports activities.
Ing said all these resources should benefit Education students as collaborative opportunities present themselves through the CVL.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house at the Center for Virtual Learning begins at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31, as the opening event of Ferris’ traditional Founders' Day schedule.