The intent of this space is to encourage faculty to incorporate active learning pedagogy into their courses and to experiment with pedagogical development and design in the classroom. Overall, the classroom is meant to create positive spaces for learners on campus and to improve student learning outcomes through
The Active Learning Classroom features a large selection of flexible, moveable furniture to accomodate a variety of classroom layouts and student seating preferences.
Student Chairs
Moveable (wheeled) student chairs allow for ease of movement within the classroom, enabling group work and easy-to-adapt classroom layouts
Height Adjustable Table
Moveable (wheeled) height-adjustable student table provides accomodation for students with seated or standing height preferences, and provides a large presentation surface for demonstrations.
Balance Stools
The balance stools provide students with flexibility and choice of seating. The balance stools are moveable and height-adjustable and can be used with student tables or as an alternative seating choice during student group work.
These balance stools provide an accessible option for neurodivergent learners in the classroom.
Instructor Podium
The instructor podium is height-adjustable and fully mobile, allowing instructors to teach from anywhere within the classroom.
Student Tables
Moveable (wheeled) student tables accommodate 2-4 students. Table tops are made of a dry-erase surface, allowing students to work collaboratively on a variety of tasks. Each table also includes 2 dry-erase "buddy boards"
Bench Seating
Bench seating provides students and instructors with flexibility and choice of seating. The benches can be used with student tables for classwork, to set up panel discussions, or as an alternative seating choice during student group work. The benches are moveable.
Instructor Chair
The height-adjustable instructor chair is moveable (wheeled) and allows instructors to teach while seated from anywhere in the classroom.
The Active Learning Classroom is designed to be a fully collaborative learning space. All of the moveable (wheeled) furniture can be used for collaborative purposes, but additional furniture described below encourages instructors and students to engage in collaborative activities.
Buddy Boards
Each student table comes with two dry-erase buddy boards that can be removed and used by students around the classroom or used as table dividers to allow for privacy. The buddy boards allow for increased student collaboration and flexibility within the classroom.
Collaborative (Pentagonal) Table
The two pentagonal collaborative tables allow students to gather in small groups of 2-5 to actively work together on problems or discuss class content.
These tables can also be used to conduct small-group tutorials or discussions.
The Active Learning Classroom features tunable white lighting, allowing instructors to more effectively control the temperature of the lighting within the classroom. This will allow for lighting that better adapts to teaching methods or content, as well as lighting that can help mimic natural circadian rhythms, improving overall wellness.
The Active Learning Classroom's design removes the traditional "defined front" of most teaching environments. By installing presentation surfaces along nearly every wall, instructors have choices about where to present information, and whether to do so along each surface simultaneously or not.
A/V Screens
A/V Screens have been installed along the East, South-East, South, and West walls of the classroom, allowing for an undefined front for teaching. Instructors can use the screens to project the same content or different content, depending on teaching preference.
Students will also be able to connect directly to these screens while working in small groups, allowing students to present and share their personal screens.
Continuous Dry-erase Boards
Continuous, dry-erase glass writing surfaces are installed along the East, South-East, South, and West walls of the classroom, allowing for an undefined front for teaching.
Students can also use these writing surfaces while working in small groups, allowing for greater student agency in learning
This mural by TMU alumnus and Indigenous artist Miranda Black incorporates Indigenous knowledges and teachings into the active learning classroom. The QR code to the right of the mural links instructors and students to additional information regarding the many different elements of the mural and commentary from artist Miranda Black, Director of Aboriginal Initiatives Monica McKay, and Elder & Senior Advisor Joanne Delaire.