Stepping into the newly renovated classroom in JC Long, one can’t help but feel as if they’ve been transported to an up-and-coming tech firm. A perfect blend of corporate ambiance and academic practicality, the new “Google Classroom” is wowing students, faculty, and staff.
The purpose of creating this innovative space is to change the way teachers and students interact. The shift from lecture learning to, “guy on the sidelines,” enables students to have additional resources besides just their professors.
The tables at the center of the room can be arranged according to need. Pushed together, a conference room is formed. When the tables are shifted into an “O,” a lecture setting is created. During class, students are encouraged to roll their chairs to the center of the room to engage in conversation and debate.
Some other features of the classroom include four fully HD displays. No matter where students sit, they can always view what is on the main screen. A Crestron remote controls almost everything in the room, from lighting to projection settings.
The entire room was built with green in mind. All fixtures feature low power LED lighting. An occupancy sensor, mounted on the ceiling, is capable of detecting motion, audio, and light. It is smart enough to detect if there is a human occupant in the room. If the room is empty, all power and lighting in the room is shut off to conserve energy usage. Also, each piece of furniture contains recycled materials.
The hybrid classroom is the first of its kind at the College but definitely won’t be the only one. Thanks to a collaborative effort between Computer Science, TLT, AV Engineering, Facilities Planning, Physical Plant, and Procurement, the Google Classroom is an example of one dream becoming a reality.