Learning Spaces

Meeting of December 14, 2000

This meeting was dedicated to discussions about model classrooms. The purpose of creating model classrooms is to provide learning spaces in which Denison faculty members can assess various designs of furniture, lighting, window treatments, technology, seating, floor covering, etc. The committee members concluded that at least two, perhaps three, model classrooms should be created this year, and that adjacent hallway spaces should also be involved to achieve a higher quality overall effect.

Uses of learning spaces (especially classrooms) were discussed. Many Denison faculty members are able to teach in classrooms that are in the same building as their office. Pressure to spread out, to teach in classrooms not in the same building as an office, is rising. Many classrooms have a relatively low "duty cycle" over the course of a day, largely as a result of few early morning classes. Larry Murdock suggested that more disciplinary lounges could be created if more classes were taught at 8:30 AM. Larry also noted the importance of interdepartmental coordination to resolve conflicts over usees of specialized classrooms such as those equipped with technology.

Two locations for model classrooms were agreed upon: Fellows 305 and Knapp 308. They were selected because current and projected enrollments are not at full capacity, allowing some flexibility in creating the model designs. Scott Siddall agreed to investigate the possibilities of creating these two model classrooms during Spring Break in mid-March.

For purposes of discussion, a taxonomy of classroom types was proposed by Scott Siddall as follows:

Level I classroom - traditional learning space with seating, tables as appropriate, chalk or white boards, and a standard overhead projector and projection screen.
Level II classroom - traditional learning space as above with presentation technology added, including a networked computer and video cassette player in a podium both of which use a ceiling mounted projector and projection screen, and windows treatments adequate for viewing projected images. There is also a basic sound amplifier and at least two mounted speakers to augment the audio ooutput from the projector.
Level II classrooms may have some additional technologies such as a digital document camera (visual presenter) and/or digital slide projector that can use traditional 35mm slide trays.
Level III classroom - a level II learning space as defined above but additionally with approximately one networked computer for each student, constituting a computing lab.