The document discusses creating active learning environments in higher education. It summarizes research showing active learning improves student performance and outcomes compared to traditional lecturing. It explores dimensions of learning space design like transmission vs interaction, flexibility, aesthetics, and technology. It provides examples of innovative learning space designs and discusses how instructors can adapt spaces to promote active learning. It also addresses challenges colleges face in designing learning environments and how to advance spaces given infrastructure constraints.

1. Creating Active
Learning Environments
One Way or Another
Derek Bruff (@derekbruff)
Center for Teaching (@vandycft)
Vanderbilt University
Twitter: #LearningSpaces
Photos: tinyurl.com/dbspaces

2. Transmission Interaction
PARADIGM

3. “Active Learning Increases Student Performance in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics,”
Scott Freeman et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2014.
Transmission vs. Interaction
• 228 studies comparing active learning to
traditional lecturing
• Failure Rates:
– Lecturing: 34%
– Active Learning: 22%
• Exam Scores:
– Active Learning: 6 points higher

4. The Berry School circa 1910 (replica)

5. Boise State University

6. Vanderbilt University

7. TILE Classroom, University of Iowa

8. Insert Peabody Photo Here
Vanderbilt University

9. Transmission Interaction
PARADIGM

10. Single-
Purpose
Multi-
Purpose
FLEXIBILITY

11. Vanderbilt University

12. Vanderbilt University

13. Nutrition & Dietetics Lab, Viterbo University

14. Center for Teaching, Vanderbilt University

15. Single-
Purpose
Multi-
Purpose
FLEXIBILITY

16. BYOD Wired Up
DIGITAL TECH

17. Vanderbilt University

18. Georgetown University, Qatar

19. Insert Engineering Photo Here
Vanderbilt University

20. BYOD Wired Up
DIGITAL TECH

21. Cold Warm
AESTHETICS

22. Vanderbilt University

23. Vanderbilt University

24. Georgetown
University,
Qatar

25. Cold Warm
AESTHETICS

26. Interaction
Transmission
Single-
Purpose
Multi-
Purpose

27. Classroom #1
Indiana University, Bloomington

28. Classroom #2
Vanderbilt University

29. Classroom #3
Carleton College

30. How can individual instructors
navigate the affordances and
constraints posed by the learning
spaces in which they teach?

31. HACKING THE CLASSROOM

32. Vanderbilt University
Photo Credit: Vanderbilt University

33. Vanderbilt University

34. Vanderbilt University

35. Vanderbilt University

36. Vanderbilt University

37. How might an instructor hack
Classroom #1, 2, or 3?

38. How can colleges and universities
work to advance the design of
learning environments given campus
infrastructure limitations?

39. DESIGNING FOR LEARNING

40. St. Olaf College

41. Georgia Institute of Technology

42. St. Olaf College

43. TILE Classroom, University of Iowa

44. 1. What constraints or challenges do you face
on your campus when it comes to creating
active learning environments?
2. How might you or others on your campus
work within those constraints or around
those challenges?

45. Derek Bruff:
derekbruff.org / @derekbruff
Vanderbilt Center for Teaching:
cft.vanderbilt.edu / @vandycft
Learning Spaces on Flicker:
tinyurl.com/dbspaces