Redesigning the Learning Environment for the Millennial Student

New Learning Environment Requirements

• Hypothesis. Spaces are agents for change. Changed spaces will change practice
• We need to build an environment that anticipates and supports how students will be working and learning
• Provide innovative, flexible science teaching and learning environments, which support technology-rich and hands-on, interactive Create facilities that place health science education on display instruction
• Provide environments for informal and experiential individual and small group study
• Build flexible facilities that can readily and inexpensively accommodate future teaching paradigms
• Install visualization technologies that transform how science is practiced that will be used in how science is learned —interactive, computer-based animations that help students understand complex science concepts

Trends In Learning

• Educating the next generation of health professionals to be flexible, adaptable, and able to respond effectively to changing economic and technological circumstances
• Preparing students for jobs demanding analytic ability, creativity, and familiarity with new technologies
• Bringing more research and engagement opportunities into the curriculum and offer practical opportunities
• Students as active participants. Students benefit from a hands-on, laboratory-rich environment where students learn by doing
• Lecture activities are more frequently and successfully being integrated into the teaching laboratory environment
• Integration of technology into the laboratory and lecture environment: multi-media audio-visual technologies and social networking

Millennial Students’ Expectations
Millennial students express a need for social space and access to technology. Specifically:

• Immediate access to real data
• Small group work spaces
• Access to experts and faculty in the learning space
• Table space for a variety of IT tools
• Integrated lab facilities
• IT highly integrated into all aspects of learning spaces
• Shared screens
• Workgroup facilitation

Desired Interactive Classrooms

• Interactive Classroom
• Highly collaborative
• Hands-on
• Computer-rich
• Interactive learning environment

Expected Outcomes
Students will…
Learn and better comprehend scientific concepts
Develop foundational skills needed for success in science and future careers

• Problem solving, critical thinking
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Laboratory skills and experimental design
• Team work and communication
• Quantitative reasoning

Additional Expected Outcomes

• Problem solving skills developed
• Conceptual learning increased
• Retention much higher
• Performance in subsequent classes enhanced
• Student attitude and satisfaction higher
• Better preparation for the job market