Student learning experience
Planning for the future of campus learning spaces
October 2, 2024
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The Welcoming Room in Mackintosh-Corry Hall (Room E202) is a newly-designed communal gathering space and Indigenous classroom. It was designed in collaboration with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives as a multipurpose room that can be used to hold Indigenous ceremonies and events, and well as academic courses with a focus on Indigenous content and culture.
As part of its commitment to continually improving the student learning experience, Queen’s has become a Canadian leader in creating innovative classrooms, developing more than 20 in recent years that promote active learning and the use of technology. These spaces have features such as easily movable chairs and multiple whiteboards that enable instructors to use pedagogical techniques that help students engage with course material and take ownership of their learning.
Now the university is developing a strategic framework that builds on this momentum and plans for the future of teaching and learning spaces on campus.
“As program curricula evolve and new teaching methods are adopted, it is crucial that Queen’s learning environment keeps pace to support these advancements,” says Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning Gavan Watson. “The framework will provide comprehensive guidelines to ensure that classrooms, collaborative workspaces, and study spaces foster innovations in pedagogy, enhance student engagement, and integrate modern educational technologies.”
Theological Hall Room 307 is designed as a low tech, team-based active learning classroom, and features 10 TVs and a whiteboard.
As technology and student needs can evolve rapidly, the framework will be flexible and forward looking, providing adaptable guidelines that anticipate changes over time. The framework will also incorporate the principles of Indigenization, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism (I-EDIAA) into the creation of teaching and learning spaces that are equitable, accessible, and meet the needs of diverse learners.
The framework will be shaped by broad consultations with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the plan reflects the needs of Queen’s faculty, students, and staff. The consultation sessions are planned for fall 2024, with the final report expected to be completed by early 2025. Further information regarding the consultation sessions will be shared in the coming weeks.
“We are hoping to have input from a wide variety of stakeholders from across the university as we begin developing this framework,” says Vice-Provost Watson. “Students, faculty, and staff are all encouraged to take part in the consultation process so we can develop a shared vision for how our spaces can best meet our needs going forward.”
Mackintosh-Corry B201 has seating for 103 students and features two data projectors, a whiteboard and podium with a document camera, lecture capture, and wireless presentation.
Working group membership
Vice-Provost Watson has also formed a working group with broad representation to oversee the development of the framework, which will be supported by BDP Quadrangle Architects. The members are:
- Barbara Kern – Associate University Librarian
- Bill Nelson – Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning, Faculty of Arts and Science
- Brian Surgenor – Professor & Director (Mechatronics & Robotics Engineering Program), Smith Engineering
- Chris Deluca – Associate Dean, School of Graduate Studies & Postdoctoral Affairs
- Erin Webster – Adjunct Lecturer & Distinguished Teaching Fellow of Accounting, Smith School of Business
- Gavan Watson – Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning
- Karalyn McRae – Educational Developer, Graduate Students and Post-Doctoral Fellows, Centre for Teaching and Learning
- Kevin Banks – Associate Dean, Faculty, Faculty of Law
- Obie Udemezue – Manager, Data Analysis and Reporting, ITS
- Paul Pearsall – Associate University Registrar (Student Information Systems
- Richard van Wylick – Vice-Dean, Health Sciences Education, Queen’s Health Sciences
- Tiina Kukkonen – Assistant Professor of Visual Arts Education, Faculty of Education
- Tony Gkotsis – Director, Campus Planning and Real Estate
Learn more about the university’s active learning classrooms on the Teaching and Learning Spaces website.
