SIGUCCS 2016

Our schools have a variety of classroom environments from the large lecture halls to teaching labs with a computer for every student, to rooms with movable flat tables set in a circle. Many of our classrooms are equipped with data projection and podiums. Faculty often have favorite classrooms and try to book those rooms for their classes every year. Classrooms might be assigned by class size, but there are other factors about classrooms that either match or clash with teaching styles of our faculty.

In this paper we intend to explore how the classroom environment affects teaching and learning, and how classrooms can be designed to facilitate engagement and active learning at Williams College and Lewis and Clark College. We will also discuss the challenges in pursuing the creation of flexible learning spaces.