AbstractThis presentation will showcase the multi-year design, construction, and implementation of the largest active learning classroom at San Diego State University (SDSU). SDSU is a leading innovator in the use of instructional technology, particularly regarding the design of learning environments. Over the span of twenty years, SDSU and Instructional Technology Services (ITS) have constructed multiple active learning spaces throughout campus to enable faculty to leverage cutting edge technology in an experimental and collaborative classroom environment. At the beginning of our panel, a short 15-minute documentary video will illustrate the decision making process, development, and overall journey of the largest active learning classroom at SDSU.
Active learning is critical to the success of students, as it serves as a foundation for organization, communication, and collaborative skills, as well as hands-on practice that go beyond typical lectures. According to the seminal meta-analysis by Freeman et al. (2014), “... active learning leads to increases in examination performance that would raise average grades by a half a letter, and that failure rates under traditional lecturing increase by 55% over the rates observed under active learning.” With this data as context and the SDSU strategic priority for improving four and six-year graduation rates, it was a priority for the campus and the team at ITS to ensure the project became a reality.
Active learning spaces differentiate themselves from traditional lecture halls by being more student-oriented. For example, the instructor’s podium is near the center of the room, and students’ tables seat five to eight in round or pill shaped pods which are equipped with their own display and technology hub. This environment is sculpted to encourage interactive, interdependent, and cooperative learning for students, and it supports alternative models of organizing, teaching, and managing a class from the instructor’s perspective. Typically, one of these rooms seats around thirty to fifty students, with the latest room able to seat one hundred students.
At the beginning of our panel, a short 15-minute documentary video will illustrate the decision making process, development, and overall journey of the largest active learning classroom at SDSU. The film establishes the challenges and obstacles presented to the ITS team at SDSU. Facing budgetary concerns, an aggressive timeline, and the novel Coronavirus pandemic, which temporarily transitioned the campus to fully-online learning, the odds were stacked against them. As shown in the film, Physical Sciences 130 (PS 130), is barely recognizable from its original design. It’s a historical room, which has even been featured in popular movies and television shows, such as Veronica Mars (2004).
In 2019 at DET/CHE, the session “Using Virtual Reality to Inform Active Learning Classroom Design'' detailed the plans for PS 130 and how ITS surveyed faculty, staff, and students to gain a thorough understanding of their needs to be successful. We were also provided with feedback from that DET/CHE presentation which factored into our finalized plans. Therefore, this session will serve as a follow-up to that, and it will ideally inspire others to think critically about their classroom designs.
Outcomes- Understand the benefits of active learning versus traditional lectures
- Gain knowledge about SDSU’s different approaches to learning environment design, construction, and implementation
- Gain visual understanding and insights into the challenges of renovating and upgrading a historic building
SpeakersEthan Garcia is the Learning Technologies Manager of Instructional Technology Services at San Diego State University, where he leads the Instructional Design and Academic Media service units. With an array of duties and responsibilities including project management, instructional design, classroom technologies, training and user support, media production and graphic design, Ethan works with the team of highly capable staff within ITS and the greater IT Division to ensure faculty meet their technology needs.
Aurora Velasco, Instructional Technology Services Associate Director, oversees the ITS staff members, as well as approximately 25 ITS Student Assistants. Aurora coordinates the maintenance and support of classroom systems, training for faculty, day-to-day operations of the ITS One-Stop Help Desk, and contributes to video conferencing and special events. She received, along with other ITS and ITUS colleagues, the Presidential Staff Excellence Award in 2021 for Team Effort. Aurora is also serving as a member of the IT Diversity Council at SDSU.
Antonio Deninno, Project Manager staff member at SDSU, has been busy developing new learning research studios and innovative classroom systems. With innovation geared towards allowing students to achieve the greatest success in their learning environments, Antonio has continuously tried to push the limits in the educational technology field.
Dr. James P. Frazee serves as the Deputy Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Senior Associate Vice President for Learning Environments, Technologies & User Services at San Diego State University. A unit within the IT Division, Learning Environments, Technologies & User Services (LETUS) provides vision and leadership to support excellence in teaching and learning through active learning environments, pedagogical research, learner-centered technologies and user support.
