Students explain what they want in a classroom

UIC students talk with David Taeyaerts (right) about what features they want to see in future classroom renovations. “Hearing from them is really important,” Taeyaerts says. — Photo: Wendy Jeanes

What’s your ideal classroom?

That’s the question 30 students answered Nov. 19 at a workshop sponsored by the Undergraduate Student Government and Office of Campus Learning Environments.

“Students are the ones using classrooms every day,” said David Taeyaerts, director of the Office of Campus Learning Environments. “We want to enable the students and faculty to do what they came here to do.”

The students did not hesitate to share their opinions as they viewed examples of classroom layouts and discussed their favorite arrangements. They had a variety of suggestions, including more moveable chairs and more writing space on desks.

Taeyaerts stressed the importance of a student’s environment in relation to academic performance and learning. Involvement of UIC students and faculty in the design process is vital, he said.

“Hearing from them, rather than assuming we know what they want in a classroom space, is really important,” Taeyaerts said.

More workshops will take place next semester. For more information or to share comments about UIC classrooms, email Wendy Jeanes at wendy@uic.edu