Summer Renovations in McPherson Support Active Learning

During summer 2024, the Office of Technology and Digital Innovation (OTDI) Learning and Collaborative Environments team completed renovations in 11 centrally scheduled classrooms in McPherson Chemical Laboratory in partnership with the Classroom Readiness Committee.

The team partnered with instructors to redesign basic math and science courses, improving STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) student retention. Last year, they upgraded six McPherson rooms for active learning, and this summer, they completed more extensive facility and technology enhancements. Six rooms received new carpet, paint, and additional wall-mounted displays to improve sightlines for students during group work. Whiteboards were installed on every wall to support collaboration, and new chairs in several colors allow for quick breakout into groups.

On the second floor, the layout in McPherson 2015 provided the opportunity to create a specialized active learning classroom with enhanced technology similar to in Enarson Classroom Building 018 and Derby Hall 029. Students seating surrounds tables with whiteboard tops and a dedicated display, allowing written or digital collaboration. Instructors can use the podium to share content to all displays or to highlight work from a specific table to the whole room. Height-adjustable fixed and mobile lecterns are provided  so the instructor has options for moving throughout the space. This is the first room in the classroom pool to have student tables at two heights, improving ergonomics and student choice.

We are continually updating pool classrooms to accommodate active learning, with a variety of classrooms to suit various class sizes. Visit the Learning Spaces Directory to find detailed room features and photos for all pool classrooms, as well as study spaces and Digital Unions.