By Tabitha Redder/nw news editor
The days of trusty No. 2 wood pencils are dwindling with the development of the new technology-filled classroom on NW Campus.
Laptops, iPads and projectors are just some of the items available to students and instructors to enhance the learning process while in the experiential classrooms on NW and the other four campuses.
“It allows much more creativity,” said NW humanities dean Lisa Benedetti. “There is dry-erase paint on the walls so students don’t lose their train of thought when writing and small projectors so they can work on group projects together.”
Various English, speech, humanities and economics courses are currently using the classroom, which is located in WFAB 2607, in addition to the NW Cornerstone honors program.
NW speech student Daylen Simmons said his class uses a table with a surface similar to the dry-erase paint on the walls.
“I like it because it’s more interactive than a normal classroom,” he said.
NW student Alisha Martin said she sees the value in a learning environment created for this era.
“I think these are useful tools. We like to be able to learn while using the things we’re used to having,” she said of the class’ numerous gadgets. “Technology is kind of over-running our generation, but it’s very important to us.”
NW speech associate professor Tina Ross teaches a Business and Professional Communication course in the classroom and said while she hasn’t used all the new equipment, the students have had a positive reaction so far.
“I’ve gotten good feedback from the students on the tables,” she said. “They like the large workspace.”
Students will be surveyed about their experiences with the classroom to gauge a more accurate image of the technology’s success in the learning process.
