ITS Continues Classroom Upgrades
In an effort to continually improve the learning experience at Truman, Information Technology Services (ITS) recently converted Baldwin Hall 156 into the University’s newest “smart” classroom.
Smart classrooms incorporate multiple technologies, which allow instructors to engage their students more fully with the material presented in class. Common features in C-Level (smart) classrooms include: a SMART or other interactive whiteboard; a podium outfitted with instructional technology tools; and a lecture capture system.
Due to its large size and need for renovation, Baldwin Hall 156 was selected to receive technology upgrades. Last summer, Physical Plant employees cleared the room, built new walls to cover exposed pipes, installed more sustainable and economic lighting, created new walkways and lowered the ceiling for better aesthetics and acoustics. Following that, the ITS Classroom Technology Support Team worked with a Kansas City-based business to outfit the space with various cutting-edge features.
A variety of disciplines took advantage of the room during the fall semester, including classes in nursing, English and Spanish. The room will be used for several classes in the spring semester, including writing and language classes, as well as classes in nursing.
The ITS team is continually looking for ways to make classrooms better for students and instructors. The inspiration for Baldwin Hall 156 came when Diane Richmond, director of Learning Technologies, attended a conference showcasing a new learning studio on the campus of St. Louis University. At Truman, Richmond and the ITS team work with faculty and the academic administration to identify classrooms that should be targeted for renovation or specialty upgrades. In addition, surveys of faculty and students are regularly conducted to evaluate the best ways the ITS team can meet their classroom needs.
With the addition of Baldwin Hall 156, Truman now has a total of 15 smart classrooms on campus, including two more rooms in Baldwin Hall, two each in Barnett Hall, Ophelia Parrish and the Health Sciences Building, one each in Magruder Hall and Pickler Memorial Library and four in Violette Hall.
For more information about Truman’s smart classrooms, visit learningtechnologies.truman.edu/classrooms.
Smart classrooms incorporate multiple technologies, which allow instructors to engage their students more fully with the material presented in class. Common features in C-Level (smart) classrooms include: a SMART or other interactive whiteboard; a podium outfitted with instructional technology tools; and a lecture capture system.
Due to its large size and need for renovation, Baldwin Hall 156 was selected to receive technology upgrades. Last summer, Physical Plant employees cleared the room, built new walls to cover exposed pipes, installed more sustainable and economic lighting, created new walkways and lowered the ceiling for better aesthetics and acoustics. Following that, the ITS Classroom Technology Support Team worked with a Kansas City-based business to outfit the space with various cutting-edge features.
A variety of disciplines took advantage of the room during the fall semester, including classes in nursing, English and Spanish. The room will be used for several classes in the spring semester, including writing and language classes, as well as classes in nursing.
The ITS team is continually looking for ways to make classrooms better for students and instructors. The inspiration for Baldwin Hall 156 came when Diane Richmond, director of Learning Technologies, attended a conference showcasing a new learning studio on the campus of St. Louis University. At Truman, Richmond and the ITS team work with faculty and the academic administration to identify classrooms that should be targeted for renovation or specialty upgrades. In addition, surveys of faculty and students are regularly conducted to evaluate the best ways the ITS team can meet their classroom needs.
With the addition of Baldwin Hall 156, Truman now has a total of 15 smart classrooms on campus, including two more rooms in Baldwin Hall, two each in Barnett Hall, Ophelia Parrish and the Health Sciences Building, one each in Magruder Hall and Pickler Memorial Library and four in Violette Hall.
For more information about Truman’s smart classrooms, visit learningtechnologies.truman.edu/classrooms.
