Teaching in Circles: Making the Most of the Active Learning Classroom

Abstract

With the pervasiveness of online learning, traditional institutions of higher education with significant investments in brick and mortar learning spaces are adapting by experimenting with more engaging forms of classroom instruction. For example, innovative learning strategies, such as the "flipped classroom," optimize how physical spaces are used on campus. In spring 2014, Mason launched two "sandbox" classrooms in Robinson Hall to experiment with active learning and teaching. The purpose of this session is to share lessons learned from three faculty who each taught in one of these classrooms.