Seminar 14A - Designing and Supporting Active Learning Classrooms

Active learning classrooms support teaching and learning in a technology-rich, collaborative environment designed to engage students actively in their own learning. This session will focus on providing participants an opportunity to examine research and best practice examples on design of these environments and how to adapt them for use at their own institutions. McGill University has developed "principles for designing teaching and learning spaces" that are based on the benchmarks of good educational practice identified in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) and has used these principles to design different active learning classrooms. Areas of design will include architecture, audiovisual technology, furniture, and more to provide a complete picture of the design process. Participants will discuss the research-based teaching and learning benefits of active learning classrooms and examine a principle-based design approach in order to create a plan for their own campuses.