University of Gloucestershire, Centre for Active Learning (CeAL) CETL, Cheltenham

Technology

Technology is viewed by CeAL colleagues as being in the service of teaching, not teaching being driven by technology. Part of the function of the building is to inform and celebrate what the University's students are doing. The learning technologist can display student work in the foyer on large plasma screens as a celebration of their achievements. The screens can also display other information such as upcoming seminars and publicity material. The whole building is wireless enabled but on separate floors there are a number of wired PCs, some of which are for quick access but others are positioned on large tables with large screens for groups to be able to work at. Students are able to borrow laptops, but it is anticipated that in the future more and more students will own and bring in their own laptops.

Smartboards are available so that writing can be converted into text. It is planned to install webcams on the ground floor to allow student groups in Gloucestershire to interact with student groups elsewhere.

Video conferencing facilities are available on the top floor and recent link-ups include Australia and America. Laptops can be plugged in directly via a connection on the table top.

In the first and second floor areas there is a main console with access to PowerPoint, the internet etc. In addition DVDs can be shown and visualisers are available for projecting book images (or indeed images of objects or organisms) directly into the plasma screen on the wall. Student presentations can also be shown. An additional 6 screens are available.

Adding Value

As it is quick, easy and accessible the technology allows students and tutors to do things that otherwise they wouldn't otherwise be able to do. If someone is teaching in a space they can direct students to explore something themselves as an activity during the session; to identify information, to synthesise it and pull it altogether, and because the room is IT enabled, the students working in groups can access the information quickly without leaving the room. The work could then be displayed centrally for discussion with the teacher or the whole class. The process is seamless.

Technology also enables communication with colleagues on other campuses and in other Universities, so enlarging and internationalising the University's students' experiences.

Increasingly, visual imagery is becoming very important in many subject disciplines, for example Geography, English, History and Environmental Science, and there are now ways of delivering very high quality imagery so people can see it right where they are sitting, They no longer have to be directed to a book, and the tutor or student does not have to mess around with a set of slides; it can be seen directly from somebody's easy chair or sofa.