2012 NCAPPA Conference
UNC-Charlotte
March 7-8, 2012
RE: Call for Papers – Abstract “The Harder Working Classroom”
PRESENTERS:
Steven D. Clark - Director of Classroom Support – UNC-Charlotte
Christopher R. LaPata – Workplace Consultant – Steelcase, Inc.
ABSTRACT:
UNC-Charlotte recently collaborated with Steelcase on several classroom renovation projects that introduced a product that fosters active learning and student engagment. UNCC continually strives to provide exceptional learning environments by renovating / adapting older spaces. In this instance, UNCC was under pressure to maximize the classroom square-footage to maintain student capacity. The node chair is mobile and flexible. It's designed for quick, easy transitionsfrom one teaching mode to the next. With node, a classroom cantransition from lecture mode to team mode and back again, without interruption.
In this presentation, Steven D. Clark will outline the issues that the UNCC Classroom Support Department was facing when considering traditional classroom seating and how they were able to deliver a different classroom experience for their internal clients, students and faculty. Chris LaPata will recap the Higher Education research that uncovered a variety of trends that have led to the development of Active Learning spaces. The presentation will touch upon a shift in student demographics as well as evolving instructional styles.
At Steelcase, we have a passion for understanding how learning best takes place and how smarter, active learning spaces can help. Spaces that can help students connect, get inspired and achieve deeper learning. Solutions that can help educators and institutions achieve better results.
Amidst all the changes in education, educators, facility managers and designers of learning spaces are rethinking classrooms, libraries, hallways, common areas and other in between spaces. Learning spaces must now incorporate user-friendly technology, flexible furniture, and other new tools that support active learning.
This presentation should appeal to any Higher Educational professional who is looking to develop great learning spaces, facilitate new teaching pedagogy and promote a higher level of student attraction, retention and engagment. (Facilities and Maintenance, Campus Design, and Faculty alike.)