Research shows that student-centered active learning produces significantly higher learning outcomes than traditional teacher-centered pedagogy. Active learning involves instruction designed around engaging students in the process of teaching and learning, rather than students passively receiving information as in traditional lectures. Classrooms that support student-centered active learning allow students to form groups with ease, interact, and share in order to take a more active role in their learning.
In the Spring of 2019, all UNH registrar-controlled classrooms were ranked on a scale to indicate how easily they could be utilized for active learning pedagogies, based on the ability for students to work in groups and share work. The scale included these ranks: Lecture Only, Suitable for Active Learning, Active Learning Ready, and TEAL (Technology-Enabled Active Learning).
In the summer of 2019, Enterprise Technology & Services converted eight registrar-controlled classrooms to better support active learning, moving up the scale from Suitable for Active Learning to Active Learning Ready.
Each classroom received some mixture of new mobile furniture for flexible room configuration, and increased whiteboard square footage. Wireless projection capabilities were to be added as well.
The upgraded classrooms are:
- Murkland 202
- James G54
- Pettee G10
- Gregg 110
- Parsons N114
- Horton 215
- Horton 304
- NH Hall G44
Classroom upgrades have minimal impact on faculty who want to teach in a traditional lecture format. However, all faculty and students who use these classrooms can now more easily take advantage of active learning strategies.
