Active Learning Classrooms (ALC) are student-centered spaces that support engagement, group collaborations and instructor-student interaction. The technology and seating arrangements in these rooms is designed to promote active learning pedagogies.
Across Michigan Tech’s campus, you will find many different classrooms designed to support varying levels of active learning pedagogy, varying class sizes and levels of classroom flexibility and technology-enhancement. Below is a list of Active Learning Classrooms along with a brief list of teaching strategies that complement these spaces. If you would like more information about how to implement any of these strategies, please contact the CTL at 487-3000. Reservation information for each classroom can be found in their respective section below.
Glossary of Teaching Strategies
The Jackson Active Learning Classroom (JALC) is located in Rekhi Hall G05. The room seats up to 60 students configured in six round tables (up to ten students) and is designed to enhance student interaction and collaboration. Wall-mounted group whiteboards are located near each table and small portable whiteboards are also available. Each group table also features a HDMI laptop connection and table microphone. The instructor podium includes a document camera, dual room projection, and lecture capture capability.
Teaching Strategies: The round table design and HDMI laptop connection to a local display makes this active learning classroom great for case studies, analyzing scenarios, or fractured projects in groups of 2-3 working together and then sharing in groups of 6-9 students as well as gallery walk activities or even peer instruction at each group table.
If you are interested in scheduling the space for your class session please complete the Jackson Active Learning Classroom Application. If you would like to schedule this place for a one time event, please contact the CTL at 487-3000.
This is a small active classroom with plentiful natural light and capacity for up to 20 students. Flexible furniture allows multiple room configurations. Four group tables with dedicated monitors are available. Students display content from their device or laptop to these monitors from an HDMI connection or by connecting to a Crestron Airmedia appliance using the free app. An instructor PC is available that can display to a dedicated monitor and optionally to the student group table monitors. Full size and portable whiteboards are also available.
Teaching Strategies: This is a great space for instructors who want to begin to incorporate active learning
pedagogy into their courses, or where student interaction and discussion could compliment
the learning. Strategies that can work well in this space include think/pair/share, partial outlines, small debates or four corners.
To schedule a class or request a classroom consultation contact the CTL at 906-487-3000
or ctl@mtu.edu.
This state-of-the-art classroom supports computer-based instruction for up to 72 students in fixed table/chair configurations of four students per table grouping. Each grouping provides computers, HDMI laptop connections and a truss-mounted monitor above for sharing content. The room is equipped with three instructor stations (one at each end and one in the center), a document camera, truss-mounted monitors and wall-mounted glass marker boards. The room is lecture-capture enabled.
Teaching Strategies: The room is designed to support multi-modal active learning strategies such as group projects, gallery walks, case studies, concept designs and problem analysis.
To view more information about this room or to reserve this location visit IT's classroom directory.
This classroom can accommodate 44 students and offers tablet-arm chairs with casters. The room has two LCD/Plasma screens in the back of the room along with two projectors (one at the front and one to the side of the room).
Teaching Strategies: This room works well for individual to group quizzing, turn & talk, and pauses in lectures for summarization or problem-solving. This classroom has lecture capture capability featuring a tracking (instructor) camera as well as a document camera. Whiteboards are available at the front of the room and small portable whiteboards at the back allow for problem solving sessions and solution display.
To view more information about this room or to reserve this location visit IT's classroom directory.
This small and inviting active learning space can seat up to 24 students at rectangular tables. The castered furniture supports quick and easy room layout modifications. Tables can be configured for 2, 4, or 8-student groups. There are whiteboards along the front of the room and chalkboards along the back. The teaching station includes a PC, support for HDMI or VGA inputs, and a document camera; all assignable to the room projector. The room also supports lecture-capture.
Teaching Strategies: This room has a great layout for discussions, peer instruction and brainstorming sessions.
To view more information about this room or to reserve this location visit IT's classroom directory.
This recently renovated active classroom offers a tiered layout with tables and chairs for student group settings. The room has capacity for up to 68 students. Each group table has two PC’s available. Glass whiteboards are provided along each side of the room and a portable whiteboard is available at each group table. The room is equipped with a room projector and four monitors (two mounted at the front and two at the midpoint of the room). The teaching station has a PC, document camera, and HDMI and VGA connections. This room is lecture-capture enabled.
Teaching Strategies: This space can support low-level active learning strategies such as polling or sticky note clustering, or more advanced strategies involving student interaction and group work.
To view more information about this room or to reserve this location visit IT's classroom directory.
This fully upgraded classroom features castered rectangular tables and chairs with seating for 34. Whiteboards are available on all walls. Power outlets line the walls to provide support for student devices. Room technology is customized to support interactive videoconferencing activities between remote subject experts and the full class of students. Two HD cameras and a ceiling-based microphone array can send audio/video to remote participants using conferencing software such as Zoom. The teaching station offers a dedicated classroom PC, HDMI and VGA inputs, and a document camera; any of which can be assigned to the room projector.
Teaching Strategies: Polling, think-pair-share and peer instruction are just some of the active learning strategies that could be used in this space.
To reserve this location, submit a Registrar Room Scheduling Form.
This spacious well-lit active learning classroom features nine group tables seating up to eight students (72 seat capacity). Two tabletop LCD monitors are stationed at each group table allowing for two independent laptop or device connections via the available HDMI cables. The teaching station offers a dedicated classroom PC, HDMI and VGA inputs, and a document camera; any of which can be assigned to the room projector. Glassboards are also available on the wall nearest the instructor station.
Teaching Strategies: This is a great space for a fishbowl discussion, cumulative brainstorming, debate and group text reading (or social annotation of text).
To reserve this location, submit a Registrar Room Scheduling Form.
This new classroom was designed with active learning strategies in mind. Group tables and castered chairs support up to six students and feature dedicated group glassboards and monitors with available power for devices. The teaching station has a dedicated PC with available HDMI input for laptops, and a high resoultion visual presenter. Instructor content can be displayed on three large monitors in the classroom. Front and rear cameras and ceiling microphones provide support for remote participants.
Teaching Strategies: Case studies, cumulative brainstorming, group quizzing, polling and small debates are strategies that would work well in this space.
To reserve this location, submit a Registrar Room Scheduling Form.
This classroom has been fully renovated to support a modern active learning environment. Four large group tables support student activities in groups of six. The tables offer dedicated monitors to display local content (the monitors can also display content from the instructor) and a wall-mounted whiteboard. A centrally positioned instructor station features a dedicated PC, document camera, and HDMI connection for laptops. A large presentation monitor is available behind the teaching station.
Teaching Strategies: Ample board space supports concept mapping and sequence (topic) reconstruction activities. The round tables support group discussions, peer summarizations and group quizzing.
To view more information about this room or to reserve this location visit IT's classroom directory.
This larger active learning classroom features long portable rectangular tables and chairs that can accommodate up to 72 students. There is an instructor station at the front of the room which offers a PC, document camera and a room projector. Monitors are located at each end of the classroom for student support. Ample whiteboard space available at the front of the room.
Teaching Strategies: Polling, turn & talk, and quick-write strategies can work well in this room layout.
To view more information about this room or to reserve this location visit IT's classroom directory.
This small classroom features long portable rectangular tables and chairs. This space can accommodate approximately 35 students and has lots of natural window light creating a welcoming learning space. This classroom is equipped with a PC and document camera, and is lecture-capture enabled.
Teaching Strategies: Polling, idea or opinion line-up and debates are just some of the active learning strategies that could be used in this space.
To view more information about this room or to reserve this location visit IT's classroom directory.
This classroom has been updated to support active learning practices. Tables of varying heights are easily reconfigurable for various group activities. Individual and large format whiteboards are available to support student work. The instructor station features a dedicated PC, document camera, and HDMI connection for laptops. All sources can be projected in the classroom.
Teaching Strategies: Idea/opinion line up, polling and sticky note clustering are some active learning strategies supported in this space.
To view more information about this room or to reserve this location visit IT's classroom directory.
This inviting mid-size classroom seats up to 48 students. Furniture is easily reconfigured to support multi-modal active learning strategies. The room features a teaching podium with PC and document camera. Laptops and other devices can be connected via the available HDMI input. Dedicated monitors and whiteboards are located across the classroom to support group activities.
Teaching Strategies: Case studies, problem analysis or four corners work well in group configuration. Other configurations can support small debates, think-pair-share, and turn-n-talk.