Goal Statement
The goal of the General Assignment Classroom Refresh project is to modernize existing equipment, technology, and furniture to current SSU standards for the identified list of around 50 general assignment classrooms throughout a five-year plan from 2019-2023.
For more details on the project, visit the Project Charter via Google Docs.
Why we are upgrading?
The University seeks to develop and foster a cooperative learning environment as one way to create more active student engagement in the classroom. Faculty and students want the ability to use portable and mobile technologies to facilitate collaboration and active learning. The cost and ease of use of new technologies and methods for engagement and problem solving require access to wireless access at a minimum as well as space for group work, problem-solving and active discussions. Portable classroom hardware and furniture will enable us to adapt the classroom to accommodate various styles of teaching and learning including discussion, group work, and problem-based learning opportunities, in addition to lectures.
These classroom standards are proposed based on faculty feedback from a recent November 2018 survey, commissioned by ATISS, regarding preferences for next-generation classrooms at SSU, garnering 158 responses from faculty (107 tenure-track, 51 lecturers), showing:
- 32% of faculty indicated that classroom computers are their most commonly used “technology” for instruction, lending support for the idea to put a computer in every classroom.
- Implication: Lecturers are not eligible for the faculty computer refresh program, and thus depend on having access to computers to support their teaching, which is currently in only half of all academic spaces.
- A strong majority of faculty (63%) indicated that the ability to wireless display and share content with the class was important.
- Read the rest of the recommendation and report here.
Classroom Refresh Progress
| Equipment | Type 1: (Small Classrooms) |
Type 2: (Full Technology Classrooms) |
|---|---|---|
| Laser Projector | x | x |
| Wireless Display | x | x |
| Digital A/V (1080P) | x | x |
| Instructor Computer | x | x |
| Blu-Ray Player | x | |
| Document Camera | x | |
| Voice Amplification | x | |
| Hardware Enclosure | Ceiling Mounted | Contained in Instructor Station |
| Teaching Furniture | Mobile w/ Power Supply | Height Adjustable Teaching Podium |
For any questions in regards to the GA Classroom Refresh project, please email faculty.center@sonoma.edu.