Teaching in the Core

Technology-enhanced active learning classroom

by OU Information Technology & OU Research

The Core, the new active learning room in the Stephenson Research and Technology Center, is designed to enable interactive, technology-enhanced, student-centered learning for classes with up to 54 students.

There is strong quantitative evidence that the lecture format is significantly less effective than team-based learning in technology-enhanced active learning rooms. As a result, many of the nation’s very best universities are investing in technology-enhanced active learning rooms like the new active learning room at OU.

Teaching in The Core is very different from the more traditional lecture course based on “what do students need to know”. Instead, class time is directed by “what do students need to be able to do and what do they need to know in order to do this?” As a result, most of the course content learning is outside of class, and class time focuses on how to use the content for solving relevant, interesting and significant problems.

Characteristics of technology-enhanced, active learning lectures include:

• Cooperative learning environments that encourage student collaboration and peer teaching.
• Technology that allows students to easily present work for review by peers and instructors.
• Learning applications and access to data sets and other information sources.
• Media-rich visualizations and simulations.
• Furniture designed to facilitate small-group work.
• The ability for instructors to interactively coach students during activities.
• New options for student interaction and class structure.

For more information on The Core, or to inquire about using the room for a class or meeting, please contact Erin Wolfe at ewolfe@ou.edu or 325-3926 or click the button on the right to submit the interest form.