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The Learning Technology
Center is currently planning the design of a Model
Technology Classroom. The classroom, financed by the
University's IT funds, is conceived not as another computer
lab, but as a state-of-the-art technology classroom which
includes facilities and equipment that allow the demonstration
of new and exemplary practices in the integration of
technology into instruction. Faculty will be able to model,
and teacher education students will be able to practice, the
best uses of a technology-rich educational environment that
teachers, administrators and students will encounter in the
coming millennium.
Over the last few months, several
concepts have dominated the discussions of the faculty and LTC
staff who serve on the Model Technology Classroom Planning
Committee as they planned the design of the room. The physical
environment of the room must be flexible to accommodate whole
class lectures, group work and individual student activities.
The computer networking in the room must support the use of
many types of devices including desktop and laptop computers,
interactive white board/projection screens, various hand-held
devices and even computing platforms not yet available. These
various devices must be able to interface one another in an
almost infinite number of ways.
From these discussions
emerged the design features of the Model Technology Classroom.
Raised flooring will accommodate all data, power and
projection wiring with multiple outlets throughout. Students
will use laptop computers, which will access the Ethernet
network through flexibly arranged prewired desks. A wireless
network is also planned for the room. At the front of the room
will be a rear projection SmartBoard, which can interact with
and project the computers as well as various video sources
located within a moveable instructor podium. Two smaller
plasma display screens will be available for small group
interaction at either side of the room. The room will also
have along the back wall a sink, storage cabinets and a large
desktop workstation with printers and scanners.
The
room will be located in 438E, where the LTC's Software
Preview Center is currently housed. The committee hopes
construction will start on the room in the summer of 2000.
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