The School of Liberal Arts (SOLA) Global Engagement Lab has been transformed into a new state-of-the-art remote collaborative classroom designed to enable distance learning and other learning experiences. The impetus for establishing the Lab was to meet the needs of modern language learning and provide students with the opportunity to directly engage with native speakers on a global scale. This space was previously used as a traditional language instruction classroom. The facility is located in Miguel Hall, Room 304, and was funded by George I. Alden’s $111,000 grant from his trust.
The Global Engagement Lab is designed as a space for students and faculty in modern languages, digital humanities, and many other fields. The classroom accommodates up to 270 students and her eight faculty members through approximately 19 courses each semester. The existing 24 desktop computers and monitors were upgraded to be compatible with new remote communication tools and virtual and augmented reality software. New audio and his four-camera system make communication and discussion even clearer. New furniture, a new projector and two televisions have been installed to facilitate group learning. In-room lightweight desks can be arranged in a variety of ways, from groups of six to individual rows. This ease of movement and flexibility in classroom layout enhances participation both in class and remotely.
“The combination of open-concept, flexible room design and remote collaboration technology allows for maximum creativity in building courses that leverage the global possibilities and perspectives that define Manhattan College’s liberal arts courses. ,” said Dr. Corey Blood. ., Dean of the College of Liberal Arts.
Using upgraded computers, students will integrate remote satellite sensing data into geographic information system (GIS) mapping for more accurate analysis of everything from coastline erosion to agricultural patterns to the effects of drought. Create. Utilizing virtual and augmented reality equipment and software, we construct historically accurate depictions of each moment in literature and history, giving students a first-hand understanding of the past. Emphasis is placed on multimedia conferencing equipment and flexible room design to allow students to interact with native speakers of different languages through distance learning opportunities around the world.