Classroom Technology Renewal project

Background

This Classroom Technology Renewal project commits funding and resources towards technology in the University’s centrally funded Registrar’s Office classrooms. The improvements and upgrades of these spaces are planned over a period of at least 3 years, having started in 2021. 

The renewal work, which will occur over different periods of time, has been covered through a combination of university funding and the Ministry of Colleges and Universities Training and Equipment Renewal Fund (TERF). Upgrades will include hybrid collaborative AV technology, upgraded projectors and other AV system components, classroom renovations, an active learning classroom, and the creation of an educational technologies (EdTech) sandbox classroom. 

Objectives of this work

Technology-Ready Learning Spaces for Innovative Teaching

  • Provide more flexible learning options for blended and remote learning
    • Upgrade approximately 45 of the university’s largest classrooms to collaborative audio-visual technology to facilitate synchronous, multi-site learning, regardless of locale
    • Equip these classrooms with cameras and computer system integrations to facilitate sharing of classroom materials and activities to remote students
  • Convert PHYS 235 to a centrally managed active learning space that allow students to work in teams, support visual and data-driven problem solving, and facilitate multipoint communication between instructors and student teams
  • Upgrade classrooms identified by students and instructors as most problematic with aim of creating more flexible learning spaces
    • Upgrades for MC2065 and MC2066 to provide technology towards new pedagogical options, and address accessibility and safety concerns
  • Presentation technology classroom asset rollover
    • Replace projectors in approximately 120 classrooms
    • Replace network switches and other aging hardware that requires rollover
  • Continue with classroom upgrades and accessibility improvements with items that may include but are not limited to:
    • Height-adjustable podiums
    • Hybrid collaborative AV technology in medium-sized classrooms
    • Upgrades to network switches
    • Computer upgrades
    • Ceiling microphones

EdTech Sandbox Infrastructure for Technology-enabled Teaching Innovation

  • Support Waterloo’s preparation for the next generation of teaching and learning with the creation of an EdTech sandbox  
    • The Sandbox is expected to contribute towards the acceleration of:
      • Innovation of education at Waterloo
      • New forms of work integrated learning and other experiential education
      • New sorts of micro-credentials
    • The EdTech sandbox will:
      • Provide a flexible, high-tech physical space to:
        • Collaborate and safely experiment with different educational and presentation technologies
        • Put technology-enabled teaching approaches into practice
      • Contain elements that may include but are not limited to:
        • Movable furniture and dividers
        • Extensive networking and outlets
        • Movable digital and non-digital whiteboards
        • Projectors and other audio-visual technology
        • Video cameras
        • Virtual reality goggles
        • 360 cameras
        • 3D scanner
        • Computers
        • Portable screens and smartboards
      • Include virtual options through licenses or consulting to pilot or make changes to EdTech software tools

Work Plan

Objective: Technology-Ready Learning Spaces for Innovative Teaching (2021-2024):

Objective: EdTech Sandbox Infrastructure for Technology-enabled Teaching Innovation (2023 and beyond):

  • Jan 2024 – Jan 2025: Create a pilot EdTech Sandbox classroom to test and confirm requirements for a larger permanent sandbox classroom (IN PROGRESS)
  • Jan 2024 – Jan 2025: EdTech software licenses for virtual EdTech sandbox pilots (IN PROGRESS)
  • 2025 and beyond – larger permanent space, renovations and setup of an EdTech sandbox classroom (TO DO)

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