March 8, 2023

This message is distributed to Senate Faculty, Unit 18 Faculty, Academic Department Chairs & Deans, Academic Assistant Deans, and Academic Business Officers & ASC Directors. (Click here to view description of distribution groups.)

The following is being sent on behalf of Linda Adler-Kassner, Associate Vice Chancellor of Teaching and Learning
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The Interactive Learning Pavilion is Coming!

The Interactive Learning Pavilion (ILP), UC Santa Barbara’s first new classroom building in decades, will open in the Spring quarter for courses. This update provides information about the building for instructors and students. The ILP has:

  • Five lecture halls
  • Three project-based learning rooms (PBLs) 
  • 20 Flex classrooms

All rooms have the following:

  • Seating that enables collaboration among students
  • Projectors and screens
  • Glass Whiteboards
  • Lectern computers with Microsoft Office suite, Google Apps, Panopto Recorder, Zoom, and other standard classroom software.
  • Lecterns have a built-in computer and connections for laptops via HDMI. Document cameras are available in some rooms (or may be checked out from Media Equipment). Some of the advanced features in ILP classrooms will not be enabled because of supply chain issues affecting technologies; these should be fully functional by the Fall quarter of 2023.

Each classroom type (lecture, project-based, or flex) also has distinctive features that are described in the sections below.

Demo/ILP Viewing Days: March 29 and March 30 (times coming soon)
If you’re teaching in the ILP, be SURE to stop in for one of the Demo Days: March 29 and 30. Times will be announced closer to the days, but mark your calendars! 

Lecture Halls 
The ILP’s five lecture halls are located on the first and second floors of the building. All lecture halls have wall-mounted screens. Initially, faculty can only display from one source (i.e., lectern computer or laptop) to all three screens. Room lighting controls are available from the lectern touch panel and a wall panel. Lighting for the classroom is divided into predefined zones and lighting levels.  

Project-Based Learning (PBL) Rooms
50-seat rooms (2)

The ILP’s PBL rooms are located on the second floor. Each of the two 50-seat PBL rooms has a centrally-located instructor station and peninsula tables that seat groups of 6-7 students in rolling chairs. Each group table has a built-in computer, a wall-mounted monitor, and small whiteboards for student group work.

From the instructor station, a central projector displays on a main screen at one end of the room. Initially, faculty can use Zoom for screen sharing from the student computers to the main display, or vice-versa. 

100-seat room (1)

The 100-seat PBL room has a centrally-located instructor station and peninsula tables that seat groups of 6-7 students in rolling chairs. Each student table has a built-in computer, a wall-mounted monitor, and small whiteboards for student group work.

Projection is displayed on four large screens mounted on the side walls. Initially, faculty can use Zoom for screen sharing from the student computers to the main display, or vice-versa. 

Project-Based Learning Room Training for Instructors 

Instructors scheduled to teach in project-based learning (PBL) rooms will be invited to participate in pedagogical training to use the room configurations effectively. Instructors may attend either Friday, March 17, 12:30-1:30 pm (Ellison 2617) OR Tuesday, March 21, 10-11 am (South Hall 1431). Please attend one of the Demo Days in the ILP (March 29 or 30, times TBA) to get acquainted with the specific technology in your assigned room.

Flex Classrooms 

The ILP’s 20 Flex Classrooms are on the third and fourth floors. Each room seats 30 students. All rooms have an instructor lectern and different configurations of movable furniture to facilitate group work. Rooms are equipped with wall-mounted whiteboards and small whiteboards for group work.

Until back-ordered equipment arrives, instructors will use a switch on the lectern to change the projector source from the lectern computer to an instructor-provided laptop or a document camera. Also, pending the arrival of back-ordered equipment, projection screens can be raised and lowered with a (provided) wireless remote. Room lighting controls are available from a wall panel with predefined zones and levels. 

We will be in touch with specific times for Classroom Demo Days (March 29 and 30) soon. Watch your email for additional announcements about the ILP opening!