Active Learning Spaces

Transforming Classrooms Through Active Learning

At Spelman College, student‐centered, technology-enhanced classroom spaces support high‐impact pedagogy while enhancing student engagement and skill development. Research has shown that Active Learning Spaces (e.g., moveable workstations and whiteboards) have a greater impact on student learning outcomes and motivation.

High‐impact Learning Practices and Technology‐rich Academic Spaces
The combination of exceptional faculty who embrace high‐impact learning practices, coupled with technology‐rich academic spaces, supports an exceptional learning experience, which results in a range of improved student learning outcomes, including greater knowledge and application of the course content.

Between 2014 and 2019 (pre-pandemic), 25 Active Learning Spaces (ALS) were completed using Title III funds. By the end of summer 2024, we will have more than doubled the number of classrooms or labs that have been transformed into technology-rich, flexible spaces for innovative instruction and learning, with a count of nearly 100 instructional spaces in our Title III-funded ALS initiative.

Audio-Visual Enhancements Improve Learning Outcomes at Spelman College
In addition to ALS classroom upgrades, audio‐visual technology was upgraded in over thirty-five (>35) Active Learning Space classrooms equipped with student-centered technology to facilitate the delivery of high-impact pedagogy and enhance student engagement. Recent studies continue to show that active learning spaces (e.g., moveable workstations and whiteboards) have a significant impact on student learning outcomes, motivation, and the combination of such features supports an exceptional learning experience, which results in a range of improved student learning outcomes, including greater knowledge and application of the course content.

Faculty Agree That Active Learning Spaces Make a Difference
A recent survey of the Spelman faculty showed a significant impact of this ALS initiative. Almost a third (29%) of respondents rated classrooms before ALS renovations as FAIR but then rated classrooms after ALS enhancements as Excellent. More importantly, 88% of faculty respondents reported that teaching in an ALS classroom improved their students’ Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs). Most faculty said student engagement, collaboration, and overall classroom experiences were enhanced because of the ALS features added to the former traditional classrooms.