Arizona University Moves to Lecture-Free Classroom Model
Benedictine University at Mesa, a private Roman Catholic institution located in Mesa, AZ, aims to improve student engagement and performance by moving away from traditional lecture-based instruction to a lecture-free learning environment. Under the new model, instruction will take place in the form of hands-on, interactive, and team-based learning activities, according to the school's dean Mick Carroll.
"This approach is being designed to promote skilled communication as well as learning that is deeper, collaborative, self-managed, cross-disciplinary and technology-enhanced," said Carroll in a prepared statement. "This is an interesting shift that is shaking the traditional approach to teaching and lecturing."
The university plans to deliver instruction through a "flipped classroom" approach, a strategy where teachers record their lectures and students watch the video outside the classroom. Class time will then be reserved for small group discussion and collaborative work. Students will be able to access lecture materials online and use shared digital spaces for remote collaboration with their peers.
Additional information about Benedictine University's new program is available at the school's Web site.
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Kanoe Namahoe is online editor for 1105 Media's Education Group. She can be reached at [email protected].