For the second year in a row, Educause Review prominently featured efforts undertaken at Case Western Reserve University to further teaching and learning.
The publication highlights Case Western Reserve’s Active Learning Initiative. Sponsored by Information Technology Services (ITS) and the Office of the Provost, the robust program is composed of:
- an Active Learning Fellowship, through which select faculty members receive course development funds, pedagogical guidance and technology consultation for pushing their teaching past usual boundaries; and
- the creation of five active learning spaces that feature movable furniture, best-in-class wireless connectivity, writeable walls and student workstations complete with touchscreen computers and video conferencing functionality. (Two of the rooms were added in advance of academic year 2014, and were constructed based on feedback from participating students and faculty.)
Authored by Tina Oestreich, Brian Yuhnke, Michael Kenney and James Juergensen of the ITS Teaching and Learning Technologies unit with data compiled at Case Western Reserve, the article reinforces the evidence of student success when active learning techniques and spaces are employed. Read the article at er.educause.edu/articles/2016/1/new-challenges-to-active-learning-initiatives.
It joins a recent article published by CWRU’s art/sci magazine, which explored how flipped classrooms and other active learning techniques are benefiting teaching and learning in the College of Arts and Sciences. Review the coverage at artsci.case.edu/magazine/2015/a-shift-to-active-learning-fw15/.