This complex renovation project of a signature campus building will provide the University of North Dakota with leading edge active learning classrooms and labs. The project is being designed and constructed in phases to minimize disruption to faculty, staff and students.
Despite the growing role of online learning across higher education, we know that the face-to-face dimension of learning is still critical to the success of the teaching and learning mission. There is an ever growing body of empirical evidence making the case for the value of active learning compared to its mono-directional predecessor, lecture-based learning. These classrooms allow for a high degree of flexibility to support pedagogies that move away from the traditional setting of rows of fixed tablet chairs and a lectern. These learner focused classrooms engage and inspire by putting control of the learning space in the hands of learners and instructors. The design intent is to create flexible learning spaces that can easily support teamwork to group presentation, discussion and even a modified lecture mode. The design creates a space where every student station is the best seat in the room, with access to robust content, other student cohorts and instructors who are available to everyone.
Client: University of North Dakota
Project Date: 2016
Project Location: Grand Forks, ND