As you may have heard from our educational technology guru Sarah Chambers, a number of classrooms were upgraded over the fall break (the upgrades in process were completed). Most of them were in Leavenworth Hall. You can check out the updated list of classroom technology. We expect even more upgrades by the start of the spring term.
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Did you know that an ad hoc committee of staff, administrators, and faculty representatives from each building has been meeting to talk about classrooms? This group is collaborating to update our classroom systems, such as the way we allocate our new teleconference rooms. Although there is no budget funding available for classroom technology, we have managed to direct significant funds from COVID relief grants and through planned allocations from the Title III grant. This committee will make recommendations about how to direct these resources to specialized classrooms. A proposal process will be announced in the spring. For more details, read on below.
As with everything going on right now, it’s proven difficult to make any long-term plans about classrooms. Several committees involved in the Transformation process are considering classrooms. From a facilities perspective, all classrooms have been studied to determine the value of VSC assets. From an information technology perspective, the challenge is figuring out how to deploy the technology necessary for the faculty to proceed with their optimization plans. And from everyone’s perspective, well, maybe not everyone, we are always thinking about how to bring our favorite classroom out of the 1970s and into the present century. We really need a way to contend with decades of deferred maintenance on our classrooms and to make a strategic plan for upgrading environs and furniture as well as technology.
That’s one reason why the classroom committee conducted the recent classroom survey. We had 35 participants, which is maybe a little low. The same survey was conducted at the other VSC institutions, and over the break we will prepare a summary and comparison of the results. One clear message from the results is that faculty would like to see us upgrade some classroom furniture so that it is more mobile (e. g. that it can be moved to facilitate small groups or for lecture). Going along with this, there is a desire to move beyond the molded seats with attached desks (think 1974) in favor of tables where students can set out computer, phone, tablet, coffee, etc…)
So here is the plan:
Sarah will continue the process of classroom upgrades to bring most classrooms to the high standard found in the fully-upgraded classrooms. This will include a camera and microphone, touch-panel, document camera, DVD player, and upgraded projection and sound. You can read more about her specific plans and “What’s in the Classroom Hopper” for work over break.
The classroom committee will have a rough budget to use to create specialized, “high-impact” classrooms. A proposal process will be established, and this committee will have the first round of decisions made by the end of the spring for implementation for next year.
Where possible, we will make further plans to do general upgrades to classrooms to include new mobile furniture.
Given the Transformation project, we won’t get involved in upgrading the basic infrastructure of classrooms, such as HVAC systems or lighting (we know there is a huge need; I’m looking at you, Fine Arts Center!) Nor will we develop more high-end teleconference rooms at this time until decisions about a technology strategy have been finalized.
If faculty members have thoughts about classrooms or any special needs, certainly contact Chris Boettcher or the faculty representative of the classroom committee from your building:
- Fine Arts Center: Heidi Welch
- Leavenworth: Paul Derby
- Jeffords: Andrea Corcoran
- Stafford: Deb Waggett
- Glenbrook: TBD
- Woodruff: Michael Deyoe
