Classroom Improvements 2017-2018

Created by Laurie Fox
Last updated: Oct 16, 2018
3 min read


The Learning Environments Resource Team (LERT) was established in Fall 2017 and its purpose is to identify and address issues and needs for learning environments. The LERT supports the College’s Strategic Plan 2021 (i.e. Focus Area 1, Objective 3, Items D and E; Focus Area 4, Objective 3, Item B). The scope of the team includes furnishings and technology for classrooms, labs and other specialized learning spaces, seminar rooms, and informal learning spaces. Members of the LERT include Rico Johnson, Sue Chichester, and Laurie Fox.

One of our first tasks, in October, was to survey the faculty on their teaching spaces. T his survey was unique for us in the way we administered it. Faculty received a survey invitation for each classroom they teach in. 712 surveys were sent and 252 responses (35%) were received. From the responses, we focused this year on addressing issues brought to our attention through the survey.

$214,265 was spent on improvements to 61 classrooms.

Whiteboards

  • 23 additional portable whiteboards added in 6 buildings

    • Brodie 201, 214

    • Fraser 103, 104, 114, 116

    • Newton 206, 213

    • Sturges 8, 103, 106, 114, 221, 223

    • Wads 21

    • Welles 115, 119, 134

  • Bailey Hall whiteboard rehab in 10 classroom

    • Bailey 102, 103, 104, 202, 203, 204

    • Bailey 101, 105, 201, 205 (pending installation)

Furniture

  • 4 classrooms updated with flexible student seating, 150 total seats, 27 faculty from 7 departments will be teaching in these rooms this Fall

    • Fraser 119 (40)

    • Newton 206 (35)

    • Sturges 8 (35)

    • Welles 115 (40)

  • 5 classrooms updated with improved student seating (replaced shabby and broken furniture with redistribution of existing furniture), 137 total seats

    • Brodie 202 - chairs (12)

    • Fraser 116 - tables & chairs (36)

    • Fraser 213 - tables & some chairs (34)

    • Sturges 14 - chairs (25)

    • Welles 210 - chairs (30)

  • 9 classrooms updated with a new teaching station

    • Fraser 116

    • Fraser 119

    • Newton 206

    • Sturges 8

    • Sturges 108

    • Sturges 221

    • Wadsworth 21

    • Welles 115

    • Welles 216

  • 5 classrooms updated with an accessible student desk and chair

    • Fraser 119

    • Newton 206

    • Sturges 8

    • Welles 115

    • Welles 216

  • 8 accessible student desks and chairs available by request to meet needs

Technology

  • 40 classrooms updated with HDMI (digital video) support

  • Piloted a less expensive document camera solution

  • 12 classrooms updated with a document camera

  • Piloted upright power poles in 2 ISC labs

  • 16 classrooms updated projector

Informal Learning Spaces

  • 127 additional informal learning seats in 7 buildings

    • Brodie Student commons (174) - tables & chairs (33)

    • Brodie Student commons (174) - mediascape (5)

    • Niagara Hall Main Lounge - tables & chairs (12)

    • Niagara Hall Main Lounge - mediascape (5)

    • Niagara Hall 243 - tables & chairs (8)

    • Onondaga Hall “Iroquois Room” - tables & chairs (8)

    • South Hall first floor - comfy chairs (6)

    • Sturges Staircase - tables & chairs (12)

    • Sturges First Floor Lounge (110) - tables & chairs (6)

    • Wadsworth Basement - tables & chairs (8)

    • Welles Basement - tables & chairs (12)

    • Welles 2nd Floor Hallway - tables & chairs (12)


Miscellaneous Improvements

  • Redistributed matching furniture to classrooms with newer furniture where old furniture was added to provide more student seating

  • Removed broken furniture from classrooms and other learning spaces

  • Leveraged Milne Library renovation to redistribute existing Library furniture


The LERT will be administering their second survey of faculty in October 2018. We will also be surveying students enrolled in classrooms with upgraded furniture.