Abstract
Active learning classrooms (ALCs) are student-centered, technology-rich learning environments that typically feature round or curved tables with moveable seating that facilitate the use of active learning pedagogies. The growing, global popularity of the ALCs is propelled by a growing body of empirical research that demonstrates the impact of ALCs on teaching practices and student learning outcomes. This review of the literature on ALCs collects together the most important and contemporary pieces of research on these innovative classrooms from around the world and provides evidence on the impact of ALCs on student learning outcomes, layout and furniture evaluations of classroom spaces, student and instructor experiences, and informal, nonclassroom learning spaces.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsAbbreviations
- ALC:
-
Active Learning Classroom
- LCD:
-
Liquid-crystal display
- MIT:
-
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- SCALE-UP:
-
Student-Centered Activities for Large Enrollment Undergraduate Programs
- TBL:
-
Team-Based Learning
- TEAL:
-
Technology Enabled Active Learning
- TILE:
-
Transform, Interact, Learn, Engage
References
Adedokun, O. A., Parker, L. C., Henke, J. N., & Burgess, W. D. (2017). Student perceptions of a 21st century learning space. Journal of Learning Spaces, 6(1), n.p.
Ahmad, S., & Rao, C. (2012). Common goals, uncommon settings: The impact of physical environment on teaching and learning English for communication. Developing Country Studies, 2(9), 45–56.
Alleman, N. F., Holly, L. N., & Costello, C. A. (2013). Leveraging a new building to overcome first and second-order: Barriers to faculty technology integration. Journal of Learning Spaces, 2(1), n.p.
Baepler, P., Walker, J. D., Brooks, D. C., Saichaie, K., & Petersen, C. I. (2016). A guide to teaching in the active learning classroom: History, research, and practice. Sterling, Virginia: Stylus Publishing.
Baepler, P., Walker, J. D., & Driessen, M. (2014). It’s not about seat time: Blending, flipping, and efficiency in active learning classrooms. Computers & Education, 78, 227–236.
Beichner, R.J. (2014) History and evolution of active learning spaces. In P. Baepler, D. C. Brooks & J. D. Walker (Eds.), Active learning spaces: New directions for teaching and learning. J-B TL single issue teaching and learning (Vol. 2014, no. 137, pp. 9–16).
Beichner, R., Bernold, L., Burniston, E., Dail, P., Felder, R., Gastineau, J., et al. (1999). Case study of the physics component of an integrated curriculum. American Journal of Physics, 67(S1), S16–S24.
Beichner, R. J., Saul, J. M., Abbott, D. S., Morse, J. J., Deardorff, D. L., Allain, R. J., et al. (2007). The student-centered activities for large enrollment undergraduate programs (SCALE-UP) project. Research-Based Reform of University Physics, 1(1), 2–39.
Beigi, M., & Shirmohammadi, M. (2012). Attitudes toward teamwork: Are Iranian university students ready for the workplace? Team Performance Management: An International Journal, 18(5/6), 295–311.
Benoit, A. (2017). Monitoring implementation of active learning classrooms at Lethbridge College, 2014–2015. Journal of Learning Spaces, 6(1), n.p.
Bonwell, C. C., & Eison, J. A. (1991). Active learning: Creating excitement in the classroom (ASHE—ERIC Higher Education Rep. No. 1). Washington, DC: The George Washington University, School of Education and Human Development.
Brooks, D. C. (2011). Space matters: The impact of formal learning environments on student learning. British Journal of Educational Technology, 42(5), 719–726.
Brooks, D. C. (2012). Space and consequences: The impact of different formal learning spaces on instructor and student behavior. Journal of Learning Spaces, 1(2).
Brooks, D. C. & Solheim, C. (2014). Pedagogy matters, too: The impact of adapting teaching approaches to formal learning environments on student learning. In P. Baepler, D. C. Brooks & J. D. Walker (Eds.), Active learning spaces: New directions for teaching and learning. J-B TL single issue teaching and learning (Vol. 2014, no. 137, pp. 53–61).
Bulger, D., Gudlaugsdottir, S., Bilgin, A., & Robertson, G. (2013). Student engagement for a large unit in an active learning space. In S. Frielick, N. Buissink-Smith, P. Wyse, J. Billot, J. Hallas & E. Whitehead (Eds.), Research and development in higher education: The place of learning and teaching (Vol. 36, pp. 69–79). Auckland, New Zealand, 1–4 July 2013.
Byers, T., Imms, W., & Hartnell-Young, E. (2014). Making the case for space: The effect of Learning spaces on teaching and learning. Curriculum and Teaching, 29(1), 5–19.
Carr, N., & Fraser, K. (2014). Factors that shape pedagogical practices in next generation learning spaces. In K. Fraser (Ed.), The future of learning and teaching in next generational learning spaces: International perspectives on higher education research (Vol. 12, pp. 175–198). Bingley, UK: Emerald Group.
Choi, S. M., Guerin, D. A., Kim, H. Y., Brigham, J. K., & Bauer, T. (2013–14). Indoor environmental quality of classrooms and student outcomes: A path analysis approach. Journal of Learning Spaces, 2(2), n.p.
Cotner, S., Loper, J., Walker, J. D., & Brooks, D. C. (2013). It’s not you, it’s the room—Are high-tech, active learning classrooms worth it? Journal of College Science Teaching, 42(6), 82–88.
DeBeck, G., & Demaree, D. (2012). Teaching assistant-student interactions in a modified SCALE-UP classroom. Physics Education Research Conference, 2011, 167–170.
Dori, Y. J., & Belcher, J. (2005). How does technology-enabled active learning affect undergraduate students’ understanding of electromagnetism concepts? The Journal of the Learning Sciences, 14(2), 243–279.
Freeman, S., Eddy, S. L., McDonough, M., Smith, M. K., Okorafor, N., Jordt, H., et al. (2014). Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), 111(23), 8410–8415.
Grajek, S. (2017). Higher education’s top 10 strategic technologies for 2017. Louisville: ECAR.
Hake, R. R. (1998). Interactive-engagement versus traditional methods: A six-thousand-student survey of mechanics test data for introductory physics courses. American Journal of Physics, 66(1), 64–74.
Harvey, E. J., & Kenyon, M. C. (2013). Classroom seating considerations for 21st century students and faculty. Journal of Learning Spaces, 2(1), n.p.
Henshaw, R. G., Edwards, P. M., & Bagley, E. J. (2011). Use of swivel desks and aisle space to promote interaction in mid-sized college classrooms. Journal of Learning Spaces, 1(1), n.p.
Henshaw, R., & Reubens, A. (2013–14). Evaluating design enhancements to the tablet arm chair in language instruction classes at UNC Chapel Hill. Journal of Learning Spaces, 2(2), n.p.
Hill, M. C., & Epps, K. K. (2010). The impact of physical classroom environment on student satisfaction and student evaluation of teaching in the university environment. Academy of Educational Leadership Journal, 14(4), 65–79.
Hoellwarth, C., & Moelter, M. J. (2011). The implications of a robust curriculum in introductory mechanics. American Journal of Physics, 79(5), 540–545.
Lasry, N., Charles, E., & Whittaker, C. (2014). When teacher-centered instructors are assigned to student-centered classrooms. Physical Review Special Topics: Physics Education Research, 10(010116), 1–9.
McArthur, J. A. (2015). Matching instructors and spaces of learning: The impact of space on behavioral, affective and cognitive learning. Journal of Learning Spaces, 4(1), n.p.
Morrone, A. S., Ouimet, J. A., Siering, G., & Arthur, I. T. (2014). Coffeehouse as classroom: Examination of a new style of active learning classroom. In P. Baepler, D. C. Brooks & J. D. Walker (Eds.), Active Learning Spaces: New Directions for Teaching and Learning. J-B TL Single Issue Teaching and Learning, 2014(137), 41–51.
Muthyala, R. S., & Wei, W. (2013). Does space matter? Impact of classroom space on student learning in an organic-first curriculum. Journal of Chemical Education, 90, 45–50.
Prince, M. (2004). Does active learning really work? A review of the research. Journal of Engineering Education, 93(3), 223–231.
Ridenour, J., Feldman, G., Teodorescu, R., Medsker, L., & Benmouna, N. (2013). Is conceptual understanding compromised by a problem-solving emphasis in an introductory physics course?. In 2012 Physics Education Research Conference.
Robertson, G. (2013). Teaching to the space: Students’ perceptions of learning following their teachers’ participation in a programme of collaborative professional development supporting teaching in the Collaborative Learning Forum. In S. Frielick, N. Buissink-Smith, P. Wyse, J. Billot, J. Hallas & E. Whitehead (Eds.), Research and development in higher education: The place of learning and teaching, (Vol. 36, pp. 404–413). Auckland, New Zealand, 1–4 July 2013.
Rook, M. M., Choi, K., & McDonald, S. P. (2015). Learning theory expertise in the design of learning spaces: Who needs a seat at the table?. Journal of Learning Spaces, 4(1), n.p.
Salter, D., Thomson, D. L., Fox, B., & Lam, J. (2013). Use and evaluation of a technology-rich experimental classroom. Higher Education Research & Development, 32(5), 805–819.
Sawers, K. M., Wicks, D., Mvududu, N., Seeley, L., & Copeland, R. (2016). What drives student engagement: Is it learning space, instructor behavior, or teaching philosophy?. Journal of Learning Spaces, 5(2), n.p.
Soneral, P. A. G., & Wyse, S. A. (2017). A SCALE-UP Mock-Up: Comparison of student learning gains in high-and low-tech active-learning environments. CBE-Life Sciences Education, 16(1), n.p.
Van Horne, S., Murniati, C. T., Saichaie, K., Jesse, M., Florman, J. C., & Ingram, B. F. (2014). Using qualitative research to assess teaching and learning in technology-infused TILE classrooms. In P. Baepler, D. C. Brooks, & J. D. Walker (Eds.), Active Learning Spaces: New Directions for Teaching and Learning. J-B TL Single Issue Teaching and Learning, 2014(137), 17–26.
Walczak, M. M., & Van Wylen, D. G. L. (2013–14). Tiered classrooms at St. Olaf College: Faculty and student perceptions of three different designs. Journal of Learning Spaces, 2(2), n.p.
Whiteside, A., Brooks, D. C., & Walker, J. D. (2010). Making the case for space: Three years of empirical research on formal and informal learning environments. Educause Quarterly, 33(3). Retrieved from http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/making-case-space-three-years-empirical-research-learning-environments.
Yang, J., Yu, H., Gong, C., & Chen, N. S. (2017). Students’ perceptions and behaviour in technology-rich classroom and multi-media classroom. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics Science and Technology Education, 13(3), 621–647.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Brooks, D.C. (2019). Active Learning Classrooms (ALCs). In: Yu, S., Niemi, H., Mason, J. (eds) Shaping Future Schools with Digital Technology. Perspectives on Rethinking and Reforming Education. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-9439-3_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-9439-3_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-13-9438-6
Online ISBN: 978-981-13-9439-3
eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)