Ball State University established the Interactive Learning Space Initiative with the purpose of strengthening learning though pedagogy, learning space design, and technology.
This type of learning community-centered education prepares graduates to live and work in a world that requires collaboration and problem solving. A learning community has the power to motivate its members to exceptional performance—especially when pedagogy, space, and technology are brought together and allowed to evolve.
Pedagogy
The purpose of the Interactive Learning Space Initiative is to support pedagogy that moves away from the traditional lecture-based course to an engaged learning course. In this environment, the course focus moves from content to application and supports the implementation of engaged learning methodologies such as Inquiry Based Learning, Team Based Learning, and Problem Based Learning.
The intent is for the majority of content dissemination to occur outside of the class meeting time, allowing the students to actively engage in the application of course content during class time. We are currently working with various units across campus to create a virtual space that will allow students to become familiar with course content prior to the class meeting as well as to continue collaborating with classmates following the class meeting.
The Interactive Learning Spaces foster learner engagement through the use of interactive whiteboards and smaller, portable whiteboards placed throughout the spaces to be used for notation of ideas as well as projection from various sources (i.e. instructor and student laptops) for viewing by the entire class. In addition, both learning spaces are equipped with Apple TV allowing instructors and students to project from their iPads and/or iPhones.
The type and arrangement of furnishings support student collaboration. Replacing the traditional rows of desks with a variety of configuration possibilities allows students to see each other augmenting peer-to-peer interaction. The instructor podium is placed within the space and reduced in size to support a facilitator, rather than lecturer, role. TC 412 and TC414 support a maximum enrollment of 24 students.
View the floor plan.
One classroom space (TC 414) has four media:scapes each seating six students with a large monitor display attached to one end (view media:scape animation). The other space (TC 412) has 24 node chairs allowing multiple classroom arrangements to better facilitate small and large group interaction (view node chair animation).
Three additional spaces have been renovated and in use beginning fall of 2015 in order to expand the initiative to additional buildings and class sizes. TC 411, the smallest ILS, supports class sizes of up to 18 students. BB 109 accommodates enrollments of up to 76 students and RB 109 serves classes of up to 36 students. The latter space is partially funded by a grant from Steelcase with the purpose of supporting courses in teacher education as well as courses from departments located in Robert Bell.
TC 411, TC 412 and TC 414 serve as intake rooms for this initiative. Once a faculty member has completed the initial experience as in the initiative, he/she is eligible to teach in one of the additional spaces during future semesters.
View Steelcase LearnLab – Design Story for a discussion of the research and resulting implementation of this type of interactive learning environment.
Scholarship Component of the Initiative
An additional element of this initiative is the pursuit to study how pedagogy, learning spaces, and technology impact student learning. ILS faculty members are expected to participate in scholarship. This can be done individually, with another ILS faculty member, and/or as part of a large research study conducted by Ball State Online and Strategic Learning.
The ultimate intent of the Interactive Learning Space Initiative is to replicate best practices for redesign of other spaces throughout the university keeping in mind how we can better support engaged learning pedagogy by transforming learning spaces.
Application to Teach in Interactive Learning Spaces
Faculty interested in teaching in one of the Interactive Learning Spaces must complete an Interactive Learning Space Teaching and Research Opportunity Application. Applications are accepted during the beginning to middle of the spring semester.
View more information on our learning spaces and to apply for one today.