Learning Space Design

Academic Technologies designed and installed integrated technology equipment in the unique SCALE-UP classroom in Discovery Hall. The flexible learning space promotes hands-on learning in a group environment. Although designed for Physics classes, the classroom will be used for other departments that will benefit from the active learning environment.

Located at the Virginia Science and Technology Campus, the 27-seat classroom is part of a 6,900-square-foot expansion for VSTC and the School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Key Features:

• Three circular tables accommodate 27 students.
• An intuitive digital control panel provides integrated operation of classroom technology, including control of three cameras, classroom computer, document camera, and Wireless Presentation.
• A ceiling document camera allows instructors to project a document or textbook onto the screen.
• Cameras can capture material from the whiteboard and classwork at the desks to present through the projection system and web conferencing sessions.
• Three LCDs and whiteboards are installed around the room for optimal viewing at the circular desks.
• Video inputs at each circular desk allow students to present through the classroom projection system from their own devices.
• Microphones in the room ensure all participants can fully interact in web conferencing sessions with a remote audience.

For more details about equipment and software available in specific Discovery Hall classrooms, please visit the classroom search page.

Academic Technologies performed a lead role in designing and commissioning three studio labs on the first floor of SEH in collaboration with the School of Engineering and Applied Science to develop active learning spaces that integrate technology with instructional needs. These spaces are designed to facilitate small group interaction and have a 24-seat capacity. Flexible dividers allow for the spaces to be combined, increasing capacity to 48 and 72 seats.

Key Features:

• Studio labs are equipped with two large projector screens on opposite sides of the room for optimal viewing at hexagonal desks.
• Instructors operate classroom technology from a digital control panel mounted on the wall, which allows greater flexibility. A document camera and HDMI and VGA video inputs are available, allowing users to present from a variety of devices.
• Video inputs at each hexagonal desk allow students to present through the classroom projection system from their own devices.
• Hexagonal desks allow for collaborative group work.
• All studio labs are enabled for GW Lecture Capture.

For more details about equipment and software available in specific SEH classrooms, please visit the classroom search page.

Academic Technologies administered the design of nine Modular Classrooms in collaboration with GWSPH to develop active learning spaces that integrate technology with instructional needs. The Modular Classrooms are designed to facilitate small group interaction and have a 20 or 30-seat capacity.

Key Features:

• GWSPH Modular Classrooms are equipped with two large 80" LCD monitors to project instructional material for optimized student viewing.
• Instructors operate classroom technology from a digital control panel mounted on the wall, which allows greater flexibility. HDMI and VGA video inputs are available, allowing users to present from a variety of devices.
• Strategically placed floor boxes allow students and instructors to use technology throughout the classroom.
• Collaborative software is installed in the all-in-one instructor workstation.
• Rolling chairs allow for flexible seating arrangements.

For more details about equipment and software available in specific GWSPH classrooms, please visit the classroom search page.

Academic Technologies designed and installed integrated audio-visual technology equipment in three wet labs for the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. These wet labs are equipped with traditional laboratory equipment, as well as new interactive technologies that promote active learning pedagogy.

Located at the Virginia Science and Technology Campus, the Discovery Hall second floor expands available learning space with 7,000 square feet of laboratory and support space. One of the labs is used for chemistry, while two labs are equipped for biology. Each lab accommodates 24 students.

Key Features:

• Specialized laboratory equipment provides a mixed-use lab-lecture space that encourages active learning pedagogies.
• Wet labs are equipped with a 5500-lumen digital projector and a retractable projection screen for optimized student viewing.
• An intuitive digital control panel provides integrated operation of classroom technology, including Web Conferencing through the classroom computer.
• Two of the wet labs feature cameras that allow the labs to be used for live-streaming or recording for GW Lecture Capture.
• Microphones in the room ensure all participants can fully interact in web conferencing sessions with a remote site.

For more details about equipment and software available in specific Discovery Hall classrooms, please visit the classroom search page.

Academic Technologies oversaw the design of myriad teaching labs in collaboration with the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering and Applied Science. These specialty lab spaces are equipped with traditional laboratory equipment, as well as new interactive technologies that promote active learning pedagogy. Active learning is a pedagogical method that mixes lecture and application time. Active learning is especially popular among science disciplines and requires flexible learning and lab space. The variety of teaching labs in SEH fulfills these unique pedagogical needs.

Key Features:

• Discipline-specific laboratories with specialized laboratory equipment include Biomedical Engineering Lab, Chemistry Teaching Instrument Lab, Chemistry Topics Lab, Circuits Lab, Environmental Engineering Lab, Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics Lab, Geotechnical Engineering Lab, Instrumental & Physical Chemistry Lab, Introductory Chemistry Lab, Mechanics of Materials Lab, Molecular Genetics Lab, Organic Chemistry Lab, Quantitative Analysis Lab, Robotics & Controls Lab, and Software Engineering Lab.
• Teaching labs are equipped with two to three large classroom displays for optimal viewing from student workbenches.
• A digital control panel mounted on the wall allows the instructor to move seamlessly from lab to lecture and provides flexibility to teach from multiple locations in the classroom.
• Many teaching labs include video connections at student workbenches allowing students to present from their own devices to the classroom projection system.

For more details about equipment and software available in specific SEH classrooms, please visit the classroom search page.

Key Features:

• The lab includes a model ER suite with eight hospital beds, two private exam rooms, a studio apartment, and areas for birthing, pediatric, and geriatric simulations.
• Nursing instructors operate the recording technology and bedside equipment from two control rooms with easy-to-use touch panel interfaces.
• Strategically embedded cameras and microphones capture student interactions with the simulated patients, leading to more robust evaluative practices, which concretely identify areas of improvement.
• Nursing instructors operate sophisticated mannequin patients from a control room to engage and assess students.
• Live streaming increases access to the lab, as students watch their peers and participate from a distance.
• The system is capable of closed-circuit broadcast to a 100-seat lecture hall and a 50 seat classroom.

Academic Technologies administered the design of the GWSPH Case Room in collaboration with GWSPH. The Case Room is located on the 7th Floor of the GWSPH building and has a 75-seat capacity. The Case Room is optimized for large class discussions and active participant forums.

Key Features:

• The GWSPH Case Room is equipped with a 7200-lumen digital projector and a retractable projection screen for optimized student viewing.
• Seats are arranged in a semi-circular formation to allow class participants to interact with each other.
• Microphones and power outlets are placed between every other seat ensuring each student can actively participate.
• The instructor lectern is equipped with a PC workstation, HDMI and VGA input cables for laptops or mobile devices, a digital control panel, and a gooseneck microphone. The Case Room is also enabled for the use of a lavaliere microphone.
• A ceiling document camera allows instructors to project a document or textbook onto the screen.
• The Case Room is enabled for web-conferencing and is equipped with an AV USB encoder to stream classroom activity over the web. 
• In-ceiling recessed speakers provide speech reinforcement and uniform sound distribution throughout the room.

Located at the Virginia Science and Technology Campus, the large classroom is part of a 6,900-square-foot expansion for VSTC and the School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Key Features:

• Rolling chairs allow for flexible seating arrangements.
• An intuitive digital control panel provides integrated operation of classroom technology, including control of three cameras, classroom computer, document camera, and Wireless Presentation.
• The lectern, participant chairs, and other elements of the room can be reoriented to accommodate various programmatic needs of special events.
• Microphones in the room ensure all participants can fully interact in web conferencing sessions with a remote audience.
• Cameras allow the room to be used for live-streaming or recording for GW Lecture Capture.
• Additional audio inputs can be used for panel tables or for question and answer sessions.

For more details about equipment and software available in specific Discovery Hall classrooms, please visit the classroom search page.

Academic Technologies administered the design of five Lecture Classrooms in collaboration with GWSPH that integrate technology with instructional needs. The Lecture Classrooms are designed to offer instructors many technology features in a smaller lecture environment. These classrooms have a 40 or 50-seat capacity.

Key Features:

• GWSPH Lecture Classrooms are equipped with a 5500-lumen digital projector and a retractable projection screen for optimized student viewing.
• The instructor lectern is equipped with a PC workstation, HDMI and VGA input cables for laptops or mobile devices, a digital control panel, and a gooseneck microphone.
• A ceiling document camera allows instructors to project a document, textbook, or other object onto the screen.
• Ceiling-mounted speakers provide speech reinforcement and uniform sound distribution throughout the room. Assistive Listening System (ALS) equipment is also available.
• Back row standing desks are available in selected classrooms (200A and 500A).

For more details about equipment and software available in specific GWSPH classrooms, please visit the classroom search page.