Classroom Experimentation Continues

Alumni Recitation Hall has a second experimental classroom this fall. After the success of a previously configured experimental classroom, ARH 227, the Academic Space Planning Task Force wanted to try something different in ARH 124. The purpose is to better support student inquiry and active uses of computer technology in the classroom while continuing to learn what works well for the design of the humanities and social studies complex — the planned ARH and Carnegie renovations.

ARH 124 has been reconfigured from a general-purpose computer space with three risers of fixed desks and desktop computers to a flat floor with movable furniture and notebook computers.

ARH 124 accommodates 30 students, making it slightly larger than ARH 227. It includes 15 two-person tables equipped with Windows notebook computers that can be stowed within the tables. The tables and chairs are easily movable for a variety of space configurations: a rectangle for an entire class discussion, rows facing the “front” of the room for presentation, or clusters for group work.

The classroom has two 80-inch, flat-screen monitors linked to the instructors’ and students’ computers. Three additional flat screen monitors around the room enable groups of six students to project the computer screen of any group member.

ARH 124 was previously a general-purpose computer space that was scheduled for a class about once a year. Eight classes are scheduled in the classroom this fall.