Experimental classroom at Uppsala University

In the experimental classroom, the University’s staff learns more about educational methods and technology. The flexible facilities and technology in the room facilitate forms of teaching that promote students’ cooperation, discussion and participation. The experimental classroom is currently available for teaching with students, in-service training, supervision and seminars.

Uniquely flexible classroom

The experimental classroom is circular, with glass walls, and accommodates some 70–80 people. The room is easily reconfigured: it takes only a few minutes to pull out partitions and transform it into two or three smaller rooms. Since all the tables and chairs are on castors and fold up easily, adapting the furniture arrangement is quickly done. The pull-out partition walls also serve as large whiteboards.

The classroom has an advanced sound system and is equipped with four interactive boards and four film screens. Laptop computers are available on loan and mentometers (ʻclickers’) may also be borrowed. A technician is always on hand to help and to solve any problems that may arise.

To have a look at the experimental classroom, visit our 360˚ panorama of the classroom.

Teaching in the experimental classroom

All members of the teaching staff at Uppsala University are welcome to bring their students to the experimental classroom. Teachers from various subject areas and disciplines come here to test educational methods, techniques, and approaches in their teaching. The classroom can be booked for specific occasions or whole courses.

Educational developers help teachers get started and can advise them on teaching methods and technology. They can also provide support during the actual teaching and advice on using experience gained in the experimental classroom in more traditional teaching environments.

Examples and further information on teaching in the experimental classroom

Meeting place with teaching in focus

Every semester, the University’s employees are welcome to partake in various lunch seminars with invited speakers and subsequent discussion. These seminars, which have an emphasis on teaching and e-learning, are an opportunity to get inspiration and share ideas. ʻThe Flipped Classroom — solution to every problem?’, ʻOnline Lectures: do’s and don’ts’ and ʻLearning on Track: about Learning Analytics’ are the headings of some of the latest seminars.

In the experimental classroom, courses and workshops are held on the use of IT in teaching. Various courses are offered on a few occasions per semester in the Student Portal, the University’s central system of study administration. In addition, a broad basic range of courses are offered on demand and free of charge. Courses can also be tailored to specific wishes and needs.

Departments and groups of teachers can hold meetings in the experimental classroom for the ease of combining them with an introduction to digital tools or a course in some other relevant subject.

Why an experimental classroom?

The experimental classroom is a University-wide resource based on the University’s mission, goals and strategies.

The purposes of the classroom are:

  • to inspire the use of IT in teaching, both on campus and in distance courses
  • to encourage further educational development and renewal that promote student activity, participation and learning
  • to be part of the University’s endeavour to broaden educational expertise among the teachers (in-service training)
  • to serve as a hub and meeting place for the exchange of experience, ideas and knowledge of innovative educational practice, IT in teaching, and technical solutions that supplement existing teaching methods and tools
  • to fulfil the function of a hothouse that tests, implements, and introduces new technologies, new software programs, etc. that can then be disseminated to the departments.

The experimental classroom can be booked free of charge by all teachers. Activities are documented and evaluated by educational developers in order to:

  •  monitor use of the classroom
  •  gain and disseminate experience
  •  survey needs and wishes
  •  provide the teaching staff with well-founded and relevant feedback on request.

The Office for Academic Teaching and Learning at the Division for Quality Enhancement and the Application Management and Development Unit at the IT Division are jointly in charge of the experimental classroom.

Last modified: 2021-01-19
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