1/6/00
MORE AUBURN UNIVERSITY CLASSROOMS GOING HIGHER TECH IN 2000
AUBURN -- More than two dozen classrooms and laboratories at Auburn University are being upgraded this academic year as part of a university-wide program to greet the new millennium with 21st century technology.
Improvements range from a new high-tech foreign languages lab to a planned computer laboratory for genetics instruction. State-of-the-art technology is also being introduced in areas as diverse as a history classroom and a computer lab for geology and geography instruction.
Although many of the classroom and technology improvements are tied to Auburnıs conversion to a semester academic calendar, the improvements also serve a larger purpose, says Christine Curtis, associate vice president for research and coordinator of semester transition.
³Technology is a vital part of todayıs learning environment,² said Curtis. ³In order to remain competitive as an educational institution, we want to provide the best learning environment for our students. That includes providing state-of-the-art instructional technology and making the classroom more conducive to learning.²
Technology improvements rely heavily on the latest in computers and communication. For instance, the new foreign languages lab includes computers with digital audio capability and Internet access to foreign web sites. Elsewhere across campus, classrooms are being updated with computer enhanced projection equipment and computer programs specific to subject area being taught.
Some academic areas, such as the College of Education, are adding technology that serves a dual purpose. In addition to learning with the new technology, students are learning to use it for teaching others. Curtis noted that many of the students using the five classrooms renovated with new instructional technology in the College of Education will use or introduce similar technology in their first teaching assignments.
Not all the improvements involve instructional technology. Curtis noted that classrooms are being redesigned to remove visual obstructions, replace chalkboards with more readable surfaces, provide larger desktops for writing and personal computers and upgrade heating and cooling systems.
³One of our goals has been to remove obstacles to learning,² she said. ³Students should be able to see and hear the professor and the materials being presented, they should have a suitable writing surface and they should be comfortable in the classroom.²
The pending conversion of Auburnıs academic calendar to semesters in August provided an impetus and timetable for many of the changes. Curtis said most of the classroom and lab renovations should be complete by the time fall semester classes start.
Shortly after planning began two years ago for conversion to semesters, the Provostıs Office issued the first of two requests for proposals from colleges and schools to determine what improvements were needed to accommodate changes brought about by the change in academic calendar.
While some classrooms needed more seating and some labs needed more workstations, Curtis noted that faculty in most of the affected areas were also quick to point out the need for more modern technology and for a physical environment more suitable for learning in many classrooms and labs.
The Telecommunications and Facilities divisions played key roles in many aspects of the classroom and lab upgrades, she said, citing the work of telecommunication specialists, university architects, construction crews, electricians, painters and others.
³A lot of units and people worked together to develop these priorities for classroom and lab improvements and to bring them about,² she said.
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AU CLASSROOMS, LABS RECEIVING NEW INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY
Classroom improvements
* Thach Hall, Room 112: Renovation and installation of instructional technology. * Foreign Languages: Classroom completed. * Parker auditoriums: Instructional technology and air conditioning being designed. * College of Education: Instructional technology installed in five classrooms. * Goodwin Hall, Room 102: Renovation and instructional technology being designed. * Biggin Hall, Room 92: Instructional technology being designed and air quality being improved.
Laboratory and studio improvements
* Haley Center, Room 3234: Foreign Language lab, new. * Spidle Hall, Room 102: Interior Environments studio, new. * Spidle Hall, Room 238: Food preparation lab, new. * Miller Hall, Room 204: Nursing video lab being designed. * Petrie Hall: New compute lab being designed. * Digital photographic studio in Art awaiting completion of Biggin study.
Equipment
* Computers for English, Art, Journalism, and Computer Science and Software Engineering. * Equipment for Communication. * Music keyboards for Music Education. * Projection equipment for Theatre. * Unit operations equipment for Chemical Engineering.
jan00: AU-highertech
CONTACT: Curtis at 334/844-4784.