One of the many renovations to change the campus of Saint Xavier University was the newly renovated smart class rooms put into Saint Xavier University’s third floor.
These classrooms were designed for many of the students in the communication program at Saint Xavier University, as well as for many of the freshmen students who are taking public speaking or intro to communication courses.
The renovated rooms appear to be something out of a talk show or a local Starbucks, but actually provide a more open environment to conduct a class.
One of the renovated rooms contains a mix of high top tables, movable desks, and armchairs. These pieces of furniture allow for a unique aesthetic inside of the renovated classrooms.
The new Communication Department Chair Dr. Brad Mello believes these facilities can greatly enhance the learning of students who go through the university’s communication department.
The facilities themselves provide unique features such as dry erasable board walls, fully movable furniture, and interactive monitors.
Dr. Mello pointed out that the new monitors each have their own unique wifi network, allowing students to sign on and display images on them. Dr. Mello believes this feature can allow for students in class to display examples of the topics covered in class.
The renovations themselves allow for the unique opportunity to students to better view themselves while delivering speeches. Dr. Mello referenced the newly installed Panopto cameras that give students a front and back view of themselves when presenting during class. Dr. Mello feels that these two Panopto cameras can truly aid students in learning how to better deliver public addresses and class presentations.
Many students have also taken notice of the new renovated classrooms, such as Senior Communication Major Rebecca Greve.
Rebecca when speaking on the newly renovated rooms stated, “Being a communication major, I think more communication and technology tools will be extremely helpful for all majors. I think this can be a benefit to all disciplines.”
Much of the new facility was also paid for by a mix of grants and donations provided by furniture companies. This allowed for some of the most high-tech and advanced furniture and equipment to be placed in the room.
Dr. Mello pointed out that the design of the room was brought about by a faculty panel who decided what technology can benefit the classroom the most.
With this new technology comes new challenges to use the newly acquired monitors and software. Dr. Mello explained that staff received four training sessions to learn how to best utilize the technology. With this training staff should easily be able to use the new equipment for instruction or class activity.
According to Dr. Mello, this new equipment also allows instructors to change their pedagogy and develop classes focused on group work instead of instructor lecture. His hope is that eventually most classes will interact with the material in a hands on environment versus simply listening to a lecture for an hour.
For more information on some of Saint Xavier University’s recent renovations, be sure to check back in on the Xavierite.
Jake Alleruzzo
Senior News Editor