Sixty-seven classrooms at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston received digital media technology upgrades last summer, making them among the most high-tech classrooms in New England.
Fifteen of the high-tech classrooms - dubbed Next Order Multimodal Advanced Design classrooms - are intended to be experimental learning spaces that enable faculty to test various instructional technology. Each room is outfitted with a state-of-the-art touchscreen control system, multiple flat-screen monitors and a high-definition overhead projector.
“The monitors can project the same video as the ceiling-mounted projectors, or, with a quick tap on the touch screen control system, be configured to run problem-based learning software, which enables groups of students to use their laptops to work together to solve instructor assigned problems,” said David Porter, director of Media and Technology Services at the university.
Fifty-two classrooms on the Kingston campus have each been equipped with digital media controls, a Blu-ray player, video and audio inputs and a high-definition classroom projector.
The new technology cost $2.4 million and was funded from federal and state grants.
