The Office of Information Technology (OIT) has interest in exploring ways in which technology might help faculty and students teach and learn. A recent article written by J. D. Walker, D. Christopher Brooks, and Paul Baepler of OIT's Research and Evaluation services explores teaching and learning in technology-enhanced learning spaces. Published in EDUCAUSE Quarterly, "Pedagogy and Space: Empirical Research on New Learning Environments" shares the following key takeaways:
- In the new technology-enhanced learning spaces at the University of Minnesota, students outperformed final grade expectations relative to their ACT scores.
- When instructors adapted their pedagogical approach to the new space by intentionally incorporating more active, student-centered teaching techniques, student learning improved.
- Students and faculty had positive perceptions of the new learning environments but also had to adjust to the unusual classrooms.