By Dan Case, Associate Director of Academic Technology at Carroll College
What We Know...
Classroom design influences levels of interaction, enthusiasm, and engagement. These aspects and active learning improve retention for all students, no matter what level of education they are pursuing.
A study from the National Training Laboratories in 2000 found that only about 5 percent of the information delivered through a lecture was retained. Compare that with retention rates at 50 percent for a discussion group and 70 percent for practice by doing. Even higher, at 80 percent, was retention of students teaching others. In the modern classroom, technology is ubiquitous, changing the learning landscape and demanding a learning style that is active and learner-centered. For the past five years, Carroll College in Helena, MT, has been modifying and perfecting a high tech flexible classroom that can be used in multiple ways with lots of technology possibilities for very low cost.
In recent years, educators are noticing a shift in teaching and its link to educational environments: active learning classrooms and the resources they require. Teachers are beginning to focus less on what they do and more on what the student does. They are keenly aware of what motivates students and how much time and energy each student gives to the learning process. Student involvement has become the main area of concern for teachers which is supported by teaching resources and techniques.
This is where classroom design can help to develop skills for future life and work, and where self-directed learning and collaborative problem solving are essential skills for success. Communication skills, diversity, critical thinking and problem solving, interpersonal skills, learning to learn, and personal responsibility are the focus of many educational institutions preparing students for the future.
After field testing and modifying the classroom design and function for 5 years, the team at Carroll College has expanded the concept that showcases collaboration options, flexible seating and configuration, wireless connectivity and multiple display devices that don’t get in the way of learning. Criteria were developed to encapsulate the following mantra for classroom design:
It has to be simple...flexible...and cost-effective.
It's meant to be a collaborative, project-based environment.
There is no teacher station. It's simple, moveable, and even works well without technology.
Lessons Learned
1. Students love to have horizontal and vertical work spaces. Whiteboard paint has been a huge hit. We also realized that the cloud is the way things are going to go, and this type of environment lends itself to collaboration in the cloud.
2. Wireless Connectivity is key to the success of the room. Because all of the projectors have been placed on the network, students and teachers can easily mirror any PC, Mac or Chromebook to any (and up to 4) projectors at once. This free software has eliminated the need for elaborate, expensive switching devices, multiple dongles and adapters and the distraction of cords everywhere.
3. Design can increase levels of student and faculty interaction through formal and informal means. When teachers can move around the room freely and easily connect with the students then the level of interaction improves significantly. Students who have a high level of interaction with their teachers are more likely to express satisfaction overall with their educational experience, resulting in better the outcomes. Also, comfortable classrooms—physically and psychologically— promote a sense of well-being, keep minds focused, and limit distractions.
About The Center for Innovation in Technology (CITE)
CITE stands for "The Center for Innovation in Technology," a collaborative workspace housed in Carroll College's Corette Library. The CITE is dedicated to exploring new ways to use technology to improve the delivery of education for 21st century students. The CITE is also a place where students and professors can learn new techniques and new technologies to incorporate into their academic pursuits. Staffed with two full-time academic technology specialists, Carroll College students and professors are able to take advantage of experienced mentors when undertaking a project that requires an unfamiliar technology. Staff will assist students and faculty in producing high-quality digital projects without losing focus on the discipline-specific learning those projects are meant to support.
About Dan Case
Associate Director of Academic Technology at Carroll and the mind behind the Sandbox classroom. A Carroll graduate, Dan has a variety of experience in academics and technology. He is a certified Extron A/V Specialist, a regular presenter on "getting out from behind the desk" at national conferences, and an all-around nice guy. Being able to design classrooms with both an AV/IT background and 20 years of teaching experience gives him a unique perspective on design and practicality. With a background in Political Science, skiing, burrito rolling and graphic design, Dan jumped into the web world and IT in the mid 90’s and hasn’t looked back. He has been teaching in Higher Ed for the past 22 years and now look at classroom design from a holistic view of pedagogy, technology and physical environment.
Research and report provided by Agile Education Marketing
Over the years studies have shown that teachers spend a lot of time researching and purchasing classroom materials to support their students. Wondering how you compare with your peers nationally?
This year, more than 600 teachers participated in Agile and SheerID’s fourth-annual Teacher Purchasing, Spending and Loyalty Survey. Representing primarily core classroom teachers in grades PreK-12, these individuals schooled us on how they shop for their classrooms every year. Here's how the stats report the story of how teachers support their students with out-of-pocket purchases, and the kinds of shoppers they are for their students. Below are the highlights of the study, with more information from SheerID and Agile Education Marketing available online.
Teachers spend a significant amount on supplies and materials. To supplement tight budgets, teachers put some of their paychecks right back into their classrooms — about 11 percent, in fact. During the 2016-17 school year, teachers reported spending an average of $468 out-of-pocket on classroom supplies, and 77 percent said they spent at least $200. Some teachers even reported dishing out as much as $5,000 to purchase materials to supplement student learning.
Teachers value discounts — and are smart purchasers.
Teachers work hard for the money they earn, and they like to use discounts to help them stretch those dollars, particularly in these spending categories: office supplies, computers and electronics, restaurants, entertainment, travel, apparel, and software. In fact, 96 percent of teachers said they are more likely to purchase from a company that offers a teacher discount online when making classroom purchases. Teachers are smart purchasers, as sixty-three percent said discounts need to be at least 20 percent to capture attention.
Teachers conduct extensive research through a myriad of sources.
are so committed to keeping more money in their pockets that they’re willing to seek out great deals. Survey respondents said they learn about sales from a variety of sources. These include: word of mouth (71 percent), email (54 percent), social media (43 percent), online (39 percent), store websites (38 percent) and traditional print ads (27 percent).
Teachers shop for their classrooms often.
Though there is a buying push in the fall, back-to-school season isn’t the only time of year when teachers stock up on classroom supplies. Most survey respondents said they like to space out their purchases; 64 percent said they go on supply runs every month to every few months.
Teachers conduct product research independently and online. If teachers are going to invest their hard-earned money back into work, they’re going to do so wisely. These days, teachers rely less and less on marketing and sales to tell them what they need. Instead, they’re turning to search engines like Google for answers. Of the total survey respondents, 65 percent said search engines are their main source of information for teaching and learning, and 58 percent said the same for education products.
Teachers are tech-savvy consumers.
Many teachers complete their shopping online, with 40 percent of respondents reporting that they make school purchases on the Internet. Though a small group of teachers do report using devices such as tablets and smartphones for their transactions, most (78 percent) complete purchases from their laptop or desktop computers.
Teachers influence purchases, too.
Technology investments have long been considered an administrator responsibility. But, teachers are playing more of a role in the selection and purchasing of technology than you might think. Thirty-eight percent of teachers said they personally choose technology for their classrooms, while 28 percent offer input to a principal who makes the final purchase.
Hear from the experts. Invest in your future. Make new connections.
EDspaces 2017 is where education professionals and industry partners gather to exchange time, resources, strategies, and solutions. It’s also the place to get connected to the brightest minds in education leadership, then network with them all year long. Over three days of learning, growing, and finding inspiration, attendees are equipped with a year’s worth of support in their daily responsibilities as leaders in education environments.
A host of opportunities to personalize learning and enhance professional development with multiple accreditations provides "take-aways" back to the office. Groundbreaking ideas are shared, new learning technologies are unveiled and collaborations form that will impact classrooms everywhere. Claim your seat at the table among education’s most innovative change agents. If you haven't registered yet, there's still time onsite, you'll be welcomed by EDspaces staff, who will walk you through the process.
EDspaces by the Numbers:
3 Days of Discovery
40+ Accredited Sessions
6 Facility Tours
2 Pre-Conference Symposia
200 Exhibitors
100s of Connections
What's Happening @EDspaces:
- Sir Ken Robinson, internationally recognized education authority
- Jaime Casap, Google Education Evangelist
- EDfest: An All-Industry Celebration of Education-Focused Professionals
- Exhibits
- Innovative Classroom Designs on and off the exhibit floor
We're looking forward to seeing many of you in a revitalized Kansas City, the ideal setting for collaboration with thought-leaders enhancing the learning experience by focusing on the effect people, place, and pedagogy have on learning environments.
