Learning Environments Modernization
The University of Maryland Strategic Plan was released in February of 2022 and describes our vision to move the institution fearlessly forward in pursuit of excellence and impact for the public good. To support innovation, creativity, and collaboration inside the classroom and beyond, this program is part of our efforts to reimagine learning at UMD.
Learning Environments Modernization
This initiative accelerates the expansion and development of accessible, smart, and learner-centered environments to support innovative pedagogical practices, foster students' creativity, and enable collaboration by:
- Creating inspiring learning environments
- Modernizing technology to meet current needs
- Adjusting classroom types to be pedagogically appropriate
- Distributing classroom types and sizes in each region of campus to better meet scheduling demands.
Classroom Master Plan
The Teaching Facilities Committee was charged by the Provost’s Office in 2016 to audit information about General Purpose Classrooms (GPCs) on campus in light of evolving innovative learning pedagogies and environments, efficient course scheduling, and technological developments. The Classroom Master Plan provides a strategic framework to guide future decision-making related to the governance, planning, and operations of inspiring instructional spaces to support the teaching mission of the University of Maryland.
Principles
Our current initiatives and projects are aligned with the following seven guiding principles:
- Environmental Quality - Students have a fundamental right to an inspiring, accessible learning environment that is physically comfortable and allows them to clearly recognize the material as it is presented.
- Pedagogy - A range of space configurations shall provide support for evidence-based practices to facilitate learning, and support diverse pedagogical approaches.
- Planning and Design - Appropriate distribution of varying classroom spaces across campus shall serve the academic disciplines residing in each region of campus.
- Technology and Tools - Current and progressive technologies are foundational to support learning activities, enhance communication, and enable the distributed interactivity anticipated for the classroom.
- Scheduling - Every effort is made to ensure that classrooms are assigned fairly, used appropriately, and managed efficiently to accommodate the University's academic and instructional needs.
- Support and Operations - We strive to prevent unnecessary loss of class time by performing room inspections and providing timely resolution to applicable technological and facilities issues as they arise.
- Community Engagement - Regular feedback from instructors and students and community engagement is key to seizing new opportunities for classroom enhancements and improvements of support services.
- Sustainability - The University adopts environmentally sensitive and sustainable approaches in constructing, operating, and fitting out General Purpose Classrooms.
These guiding principles represent the core values, goals, and aspirations for all learning spaces at the University of Maryland.