Not only is Houston Christian University (HCU) making way for the future with construction of a new state-of-the-art Smith Engineering, Science and Nursing Building, administrators and faculty in the College of Science & Engineering (COSE) recently completed renovations on existing classroom space to enhance the learning environment for students.
“The new building will offer upgraded space, but we also wanted to upgrade the spaces that we will still be using in Cullen Science,” said Dr. Katie Evans, Dean of the College of Science and Engineering.
Initiated this past spring, the six-month-long renovation project allowed three existing classrooms in the Cullen Science Building to be transformed into active learning spaces with movable desks and chairs to enable instructors to foster greater interaction and discussion among students.
Dr. Evans expressed appreciation for the funding that made recent enhancements possible.
“COSE is grateful for the opportunity to leverage College and Department of Education Title V funds with HCU’s capital investment to bring about increased opportunities for implementing high impact learning practices in these spaces. The new classroom furnishings create active learning opportunities that have not previously existed due to room limitations,” said Dr. Evans.
Hi-tech whiteboards, short-throw projectors, Epson pens, and technology enhanced instructor desks/podiums have been installed in each learning space to enable the use of tablets and laptops and allow instructors to more efficiently direct classroom activities.
HCU Math Professor John Cowen highlighted the benefit of recent renovations.
“The Epson pen allows faculty to annotate any presentation easily and allow the marks to stay with each slide. It also allows us to interact with a connected computer to change slides, write inside of programs, and even use the pen as a mouse.
“The classroom renovations as a whole allow for collaborative learning and easy movement around a classroom. This allows faculty to interact with each student easily. The technology also allows for wireless computer communication and free range of the classroom while annotating notes for any tablet teachers,” said Cowen.
Not only will students pursuing degrees in the College of Science and Engineering benefit from these renovated classrooms, but multiple colleges will have access to these innovative learning spaces.
“I anticipate the teachers that find themselves assigned to these rooms are really going to enjoy teaching in them. The best part, of course, is that these rooms now serve our students better. Active learning in a collaborative environment really improves the learning experience, which benefits us all,” said Dr. Evans.