Campus Learning Environments

Active Learning is generally defined as any instructional method that engages students in the learning process. In short, active learning requires students to do meaningful learning activities and think about and apply what they are learning. While this definition could include traditional activities such as homework, in practice, active learning refers to activities that are introduced into the classroom. The core elements of active learning are student activity and engagement in the learning process. Active learning is often contrasted to the traditional lecture where students passively receive information from the instructor.

• Next-Generation Learning Spaces: Supporting Active Learning Anywhere

SCALE-UP

SCALE-UP stands for “Student-Centered Active Learning Environment with Upside-down Pedagogies” or “Student‐Centered Active Learning Environment for Undergraduate Programs.” SCALE-UP classrooms include round tables of nine students to facilitate group interactions, white boards near each table, networked computers and an instructor area located near the center of the room.

Other acronyms that are used by universities for SCALE-UP environments are:

• TEAL – Technology-Enabled Active Learning
• ALC – Active Learning Classrooms
• TILE – (Spaces to) Transform, Interact, Learn, Engage

Examples:

North Carolina State University (SCALE-UP)

Design:

• EDUCAUSE about SCALE-UP of NCSU
• SCALE-UP classrooms examples
• Images:

NCSU Scale-Up classroom and floorplan

Videos:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (TEAL)

Design:

• TEAL – Technology Enabled Active Learning (overview)
• TEAL – Technology Enabled Active Learning (background)
• The Ultimate Active Learning Space: The TEAL Classroom
• Images:

MIT Classroom and Floorplan

Research:

• Technology for Active Learning
• How Does Technology-Enabled Active Learning Affect Undergraduate Students’ Understanding of Electromagnetism Concepts?

Videos:

University of Minnesota (ALC)

Design:

• Active Learning Classrooms
• Images:

University of Minnesota Classroom and Floorplan

Research:

• ALC Pilot Evaluation – Fall 2007
• ALC Research Synopsis
• Pedagogy and Space: Empirical Research on New Learning Environments
• Space matters: The impact of formal learning environments on student learning
• “It’s Not You, It’s the Room”— Are the High-Tech, Active Learning Classrooms Worth It?
• Making the Case for Space: Three Years of Empirical Research on Learning Environments

Videos:

University of Iowa (TILE)

Design:

• The TILE Experience
• Images:

University of Iowa (TILE) Classroom and Floorplan

Research:

• Promoting Active Learning in Technology-Infused TILE Classrooms at the University of Iowa
• Assessment of Student Learning in TILE Classrooms
• Assessing Teaching and Learning in Technology – Infused TILE Classrooms at the University of Iowa

Video:

LearnLab is a flexible, tech-enabled classroom that is anything but traditional. Instead of rows of desks facing forward, where the podium is the stage and blackboard the backdrop, LearnLab removes the front of the room by positioning chairs and tables into an “X” configuration.

Design:

• A New Learning Curve (Steelcase LearnLab Environments)
• Midterm Review (Colleges put Steelcase LearnLab environments to the test)
• Images:

Richland College Classroom and Floorplan

Research:

• Case Studies: Richland College

Videos:

The new Learning Studios provided faculty and learners with an opportunity to experiment with radical flexibility in space, furnishings, and technology—all targeted at increasing student engagement and success.

Design:

• Engaging Students
• Images:

California State University, Fresno classroom and floorplan

Research:

• Adaptable Spaces and their Impact on Learning

Video:

Team-based learning (TBL) is an instructional teaching method in which students work independently prior to the allotted class time to gain baseline subject matter knowledge. During class time they interact as a team (typically comprised of 4-7 students) towards a common goal of understanding class/course objectives. Compared to didactic lecture, the aim of TBL is to increase the level of the students’ engagement and promote a higher level of learning within the content.

Examples:
McGill University

Design:

• McGill Classroom – Education 129
• Images:

McGill classroom and floorplan

University of Windsor

Design:

• Case Studies: University of Windsor College of Engineering
• Images:

University of Windsor classroom and floorplan

Stanford University

Design:

• LKSC Studio Classrooms: LK101/LK102
• Images:

Stanford University classroom and floorplan

Video:

University of California, Berkeley

Design:

• Images:

UC Berkley classroom and floorplan

Video:

York University, Canada

Design:

• Images:

York University classroom and floorplan images

Turn 2 Team environments allow students to turn their chair 180 degrees in order to collaborate with the student(s) sitting behind them. If the floor is tiered, then two rows of seats are located on the same tier.

Examples:

Indiana University

Indiana University classroom and floorplan

Iowa State University

Iowa State University classroom and floorplan

Videos:

University of Denver

University of Denver classroom and floorplan

The single, movable desk solution is mobile and flexible. It’s designed for quick, easy transitions from one teaching mode to the next, unlike traditional school desks and chairs.

Examples
Case Western Reserve University

Design:

• Active Learning at Case Western University
• New Challenges to Active Learning Initiatives
• Images:

Case Western Reserve University classroom and floorplan

Research:

• Assessing the Active Learning Initiative at Case Western Reserve University

Purdue University

Design:

• Active Learning Center
• Wilmeth Active Learning Center (Floor Plans)
• Images:

Purdue University classroom and floorplan

Video:

Oregon State University

Design:

• LInC – Learning Innovation Center
• New classroom building at Oregon State features cutting edge technology, design
• The TEDification of the Large Lecture

Oregon State University classroom and floorplan

Oregon State University classroom and floorplan 2

Video:

• Learning Innovation Center