Active Learning Classrooms at Algonquin

C150 Protype Active Learning Classroom

Prototype Active Learning Classroom – Woodroffe C150

This new classroom was built launched during the Fall of 2019.

With its prominent location in the DARE district, C150 was designed to serve as a prototype active learning classroom to support research into classroom design for active learning.

Faculty interested in teaching their Fall, 2019 course using active learning practices were recruited to participate in a design charrette – led by Facilities Management and contracted classroom architects.

Research conducted by Learning and Teaching Services, via surveys issued to students and faculty who used the new classrooms in A building (Woodroffe Campus) for Winter, 2019, provided feedback that also informed classroom design decisions.

The collaborative process resulted in an active learning classroom design with the following features:

• moveable tables and chairs on castors
• whiteboard walls on three sides of the room
• ceiling-mounted electrical cabling
• 5 display monitors connect via Sharelink to allow students and faculty to wireless share their screens
• height-adjustable teacher station and mobile laptop podium
• 2 electrical height-adjustable student desk

C150 Research

Learning and Teaching Services conducted research on the C150 prototype active learning classroom by having faculty and students complete surveys.

Overall, faculty and students loved using the active learning classroom. In particular, they appreciated the ample whiteboard space and ability to rearrange furniture to work in groups.

Considerable concern was raised about the ceiling mounted electrical cabling which was seen as cumbersome and a potential hazard. Therefore, the next active learning classroom built (T232) eliminated this cabling.

How Many Active Learning Classrooms Are There?

At Ottawa campus, there are currently 2 classrooms:

• C150
• T232 *also multimodal-enabled

A third active learning classroom is being built this summer.