Over the summer, the Learning and Collaborative Environments team led the renovation of pool classrooms in University Hall and Agricultural Engineering. The scope of construction varied from room to room, although all received new carpet, paint, ceilings, lighting, furniture, and AV technology. These renovations provide additional collaborative learning spaces to enhance flexibility and support multiple teaching strategies.
In University Hall, a significant part of construction in the 13 basement classrooms involved removal of adjoining walls to create two larger classrooms. The resulting 11 rooms offer flexibility to support multiple teaching strategies with mobile furniture, increased square footage per student, expanded writing surfaces, and updated technology. Two rooms are furnished with mobile tables and chairs, and additional displays around the room to specifically support collaborative group work.
In Agricultural Engineering, major demolition took place in room 100 to remove the tiered floor and create a flat-floored classroom. While 103 required less demo, both rooms have been designed for collaborative group work, with mobile tables and chairs and plenty of whiteboard surfaces specifically designed at heights to support accessibility. The enhanced technology in these rooms includes a whiteboard camera and advanced tracking camera that seamlessly follows the instructor throughout the room, improving the hybrid learning experience. In addition, multiple projectors and displays are installed around each room to allow the instructor to present two sources of content simultaneously and enhance student viewing.
Classroom pool is comprised of approximately 320 classrooms that are supported by the Office of Academic Affairs and governed by the Classroom Readiness Committee. The full listing of classrooms can be found on the Learning Spaces Directory.