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. This 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.