Embry-Riddle Prescott Awarded $65,000 Grant for Active Learning Center

"Embry-Riddle Prescott was chosen because of a demonstrated commitment to active learning," said Craig Wilson, Director of Market Development for Steelcase Education. "Research shows that space impacts behavior, and these classrooms will help a new group of professors and students explore the learning possibilities an interactive space can bring." 

Embry-Riddle Prescott was one of eight colleges and universities out of 961 applications selected for this grant based on its proposed active learning strategies and research questions. 

"Receiving this award is a true honor and fills me with much gratitude and happiness given that we now have such a state-of-the-art learning space on our campus," said Dr. Dina Battaglia, Director of Embry-Riddle Prescott's Center for Teaching & Learning Excellence (CTLE). "The benefits for our faculty as well as current and future students will be endless." 

Valued at $65,000, the specific design of the active learning classroom chosen by Embry-Riddle Prescott will positively impact teaching and learning through the use of varied student-centered pedagogies and hands-on activities. The grant includes modern movable furniture, classroom design, onsite training, installation, and a pre- and post-occupancy measurement tool designed by Steelcase. 

Beginning in summer 2017 and ready by the following fall, the Steelcase Active Learning Center will be installed in Embry-Riddle's College of Security & Intelligence, the only college of its kind in the country.

"Steelcase's Active Learning Center will clearly support Embry-Riddle's academic initiatives to increase inquiry-based and student-centered learning," Battaglia said. 

Embry-Riddle Prescott's Center for Teaching & Learning Excellence commits to supporting effective teaching with an emphasis on improving student learning. Through one-on-one faculty consultations, workshops, and a library of key resources, the department provides guidance for implementing effective instructional design practices, student-centered teaching strategies, and formative and summative assessment techniques of student learning. Since arriving in July 2015, Battaglia has conducted more than 200 individual faculty consultations discussing ways to redesign courses that align with active learning strategies. 

"Taking learning to new heights is the motto of CTLE," said Battaglia. "As a recipient of this grant, I truly believe we can now exceed our teaching and learning goals for both faculty and students campus-wide." 

To learn more about this year's other grant recipients, visit: https://www.steelcase.com/discover/information/education/active-learning-center-grant/#overview_2015-recipients