GSE introduces AUC’s first interactive classroom
By Zeina Makarem
The Graduate School of Education (GSE) opened the first interactive classroom in Egypt with the attempt to convey methods and resources that encourage students to interact with classmates and professors.
The classroom is filled with round tables, monitors on the walls and a microphone is stationed at each table.
According to Stacie Rissmann, Associate Professor of Practice at the GSE, the setup of the rooms and the resources provided, such as the microphone, encourages more interaction between students with one another and their instructors during classes.
“This arrangement makes it easier to get to know each individual student,” said Rissmann.
Gihan Osman, assistant professor of instructional design and technology at GSE and the Center of Learning and Teaching at AUC, believes that in the modern world there are many different ways of learning and teaching that compliment the program.
“Learning spaces that support instructional pedagogies that promote collaboration and communication are essential,” she said, adding, “In a highly interconnected world, the latter skills become important to foster in our graduates.”
Osman said that while these classes are technology-rich, the teaching technique used by the instructor is the most essential component of the learning experience.
Instructors in those classes use active-learning; student-centered strategies that promote “deep conceptual understanding and problem solving.”
“Engaging traditional lecturing in this room would defeat the purpose; studies conducted at the University of Minnesota found that students who take courses in similarly designed class rooms do better than those who take courses in more traditional settings,” said Osman.
Rismann added, “The classroom and instructional strategies required align with twenty first century skills: collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity.”
The University of Minnesota was the first to initiate such classrooms and results show that the performance of students changed positively.
“I only saw the classroom, but never took a class in it; it looks motivating,” said Mohamed Hamza, a political science undergraduate.
Osman told the Caravan that while there is only one interactive classroom on campus, a second one will be built but a date is yet to be set.
Osman explained that GSE hopes to collaborate with faculty from other schools and departments within AUC to introduce more interactive classes.
“We expect our evaluation of the experience and findings to inform teaching practices and the design of learning spaces at AUC,” she said.
