Technology-Enhanced Active Learning Classrooms

The Provost Advisory Committee for Classrooms will be creating two technology-enhanced active learning classrooms in PHSC 224 and PHSC 228. Building on the success and innovation seen in the Core, the active learning room in the Stephenson Research and Technology Center, PACCR has taken this step to enable more faculty to engage their students in interactive, technology-enhanced, student-centered learning.

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 technology-enhanced active learning spaces at OU.

Teaching in technology-enhanced active learning classroom 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.

The Center of Teaching Excellence will be offering workshops and learning communities to empower faculty to fully utilize the transformative pedagogies that these classrooms make possible. If you are interested in teaching in one of the technology-enhanced active learning classrooms click the button on the right to submit the interest form.

Contact Us
If you have questions about teaching you course in a technology-enhanced active learning classroom, please contact The Center for Teaching Excellence.