Active-Learning Classrooms, Seven Tips for Higher Education

Universities are investing heavily to transform lecture-style classrooms into active-learning environments in order to boost student engagement and improve retention and recruitment rates. Research from institutions such as Indiana University and Yale University finds that active-learning classroom environments can be beneficial for student outcomes, giving universities more reasons to consider active-learning strategies in their classroom design. With the numbers to prove that active-learning classrooms are effective, universities are now pressed to find the best way to design innovative spaces. While these innovative classrooms differ depending on the needs of the university, a recent CDW white paper outlines active-learning best practices all institutions can use. MORE FROM EDTECH: See how universities can make their active-learning classrooms versatile enough to fit different course topics. Designing an active-learning classroom is a collaborative effort. Students, faculty and staff will need to make the transition to a new space, whether it changes how individuals learn, teach or maintain the classroom design. It is important to include representatives of each group when discussing the layout and execution of an active-learning classroom.