Impact and Recognition
The Positive Impact of Stanford Classrooms Reimagined
Enhancing Education
The surveys post-classroom upgrades have highlighted the positive impact on both instructors and students. Instructors have reported increased engagement and interaction due to the flexible and innovative furniture layouts, which facilitate group work and dynamic teaching methods. This arrangement has enabled more collaborative and interactive lessons, significantly enhancing the teaching experience. Students have expressed appreciation for the improved learning environment, noting that the adaptable seating and workspace configurations make it easier to participate and focus. The upgrades have fostered a more engaging and effective educational atmosphere, benefiting all participants.
Awards and Recognition
Our Most Important Work (OMIW), 2023
The Stanford Classrooms Reimagined team was recognized with the Our Most Important Work (OMIW) - Supporting Academics award at the Student Affairs annual staff appreciation event. The award recognized their outstanding contributions to supporting student success and enhancing the academic journey from application to graduation and beyond.
In the first year of full funding at Stanford, the team completed upgrades in 60 classrooms across 11 campus buildings. These transformative efforts are extraordinary; most universities upgrade only 10 to 20 classrooms annually. These upgrades included refreshed furniture for comfort and accessibility, video conferencing capabilities, and user-friendly technology for varying technical skills. The redesigned classrooms support active learning, flexibility, and optimal use of space. Input from instructors, students, and others during the pilot phase informed the design, resulting in various furniture configurations for different teaching styles.
Technical enhancements include touch screens, larger displays, improved sound and lighting, and plug-and-play adapters. New interactive video conferencing features, such as voice-tracking cameras and microphones, were installed. The Stanford Focus listening system, aiding students with hearing impairments, was also introduced.
HigherEd AV Large Venue Project (Best in Class), 2023
The SCR team won the "Best in Class" award for their Large Venue Project in Classroom Innovation at the 2023 Higher Ed AV annual conference, InfoComm. They upgraded five large rooms, integrating Q-Sys, Speechline, TeamConnect, and MobileConnect systems. These enhancements provide conferencing and recording capabilities while supporting students with assisted listening. The project highlights Stanford's commitment to advanced classroom technology and accessibility. Learn More
Media and Reports
Designing a happier student life for better learning
In a chapter of an outlook report issued by the Consulate General of Denmark and the Innovative Center Denmark, Helen Chu, Assistant Vice Provost of Learning Spaces & Support, discusses the importance of adapting existing classrooms for active learning. She outlines five design strategies: utilizing available space, removing barriers to engagement, creating an inclusive environment, fostering a sense of belonging, and promoting eye contact and community. These strategies can be applied even in traditional lecture halls through techniques like encouraging movement for group work and using writable surfaces. Chu and Richard Webber also emphasize the need for technical support as technology becomes central to education. Full Article
Furniture and tech upgrades are transforming classrooms and learning
According to the 2023 Stanford Report, the Stanford Classrooms Reimagined initiative, founded in 2019, has introduced upgrades such as reconfigurable furniture and new presentation technology. These enhancements aim to create adaptable learning spaces that meet the evolving needs of students and faculty. Full Report
Innovation from Disruption
In spring 2020, Stanford quickly transitioned to remote learning using Zoom and Canvas, as noted in the Stanford Pandemic Ed Review, 2020-21. Faculty initially replicated face-to-face courses online, evolving into innovative teaching methods. The SCR team played a crucial role in this transformation, ensuring the seamless integration of technology and support systems. For the course CS 182: Ethics, Public Policy, and Technological Change, professors used a special setup in the Peter Wallenberg Learning Theater. Political Science Professor Jeremy Weinstein lectured before a 32-foot-wide by 8-foot-high video wall displaying a tiled view of students on Zoom. Full Report