By Craig Leroux, Senior Communications Officer

With renovations nearing completion, the Queen’s community will have an opportunity to get a first look at the three Ellis Hall classrooms being transformed into active learning spaces. The open house, hosted by the Centre for Teaching and Learning, will allow visitors to tour the three classrooms and learn about the unique configuration and technology found in each room.

“Active learning strategies can improve students’ comprehension of the material and help them to advance their skills in problem solving and critical thinking,” says Jill Scott, Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning). “These classrooms are being redesigned as flexible spaces with purposeful use of educational technology that enable instructors to use a variety of innovative active learning strategies.”

Andy Leger, Associate Professor and an Education Developer in the Centre for Teaching and Learning, says the open house will be an opportunity for faculty, staff and students to learn more about active learning and how the new classrooms can facilitate a variety of teaching and learning strategies.

“Although not quite finished, the rooms have really taken shape,” says Dr. Leger. “It will be quite exciting to tour the rooms, get a sense of the new spaces and technology, and imagine the possibilities for student collaboration, interaction and problem-solving.”

The open house will take place on Monday, Dec. 9, from 2:30 to 4 pm in room 319 of Ellis Hall. The new classrooms will be ready for classes in January 2014.

A recently launched website provides more information on the Ellis Hall active learning classroom project, including the designs for the new spaces. Faculty who would like more information on the Ellis Hall project or on incorporating active learning strategies into their classes are invited to contact Dr. Leger.