Kingston University introduces new teaching rooms

Kingston University became one of the few universities in the country to pilot four new teaching room models.

The new rooms were shifted from traditional lecture-style composition to a more collaborative approach by changing the usual table shapes and the way they are placed across the rooms.

The University said: “A total of four teaching rooms, one at each campus, have had a complete makeover. The layouts are designed to facilitate active, collaborative learning and to support a variety of activities.

“A single session could easily include mini-presentations by students and staff as well as group and individual work.”

The new rooms include upgraded furniture and equipment, such as glass writing walls, wedge-shaped tables, break-out areas and charging stations and storage space for personal belongings.

Each trial room has a different capacity, with a small number of universities across the country having already successfully trialled this approach in larger spaces.

The new rooms are located at Kingston Hill FL1026, Roehampton Vale MB125, Knights Park TB502 and Penrhyn Road JG3008.

KU will analyse feedback and statistics in December, with a number of different courses being timetabled into the pilot rooms while students rate different aspects compared to traditional rooms.

“It is hoped that the pilot will eventually provide a blueprint for teaching room design, which will then be rolled out more widely across the campuses,” Earl Blake, strategic space systems and data manager in Estates, said.