Room 300 and Room 320 in the Albert & Mamie George Building (AMG 300 & AMG 320) are
designed as Active Learning Classrooms (ALC) for the University of Houston Sugar Land
Campus with an emphasize on learner-centered, technology-supported, collaborative
learning. AMG 320 has additional equipment to further enhance collaboration and is
referred to as a Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) classroom.
Both rooms support courses that utilize academic strategies for student engagement,
constructivist learning and discovery. AMG 300 has a capacity of 30 students and AMG 320
has a capacity of 46 students
The Active Learning Classrooms were designed to facilitate a dynamic learning environment
for active and collaborative learning activities. Both rooms are equipped with similar
technology; each room also has equipment unique to it.
Tables and chairs can be moved around to form different size groups, create a conference
table or any other number of settings. The tables have a whiteboard surface for writing
notes and drawing images with erasable markers. There are also whiteboards on each
of the room’s walls, along with a 3’×6’ portable whiteboard. The portable boards can
be moved around the room and both sides used for drawing or other written annotations.
The Clear Touch Ultra HD interactive display actively engages students in the learning process. Presenters can use an “infinite”
whiteboard for writing notes and drawing diagrams, but have the added ability to open
web sites, pictures, videos and other files directly on the whiteboard to enhance
the written information. Presenters can also annotate on the pictures, videos or documents
and export the finished work to a PDF file for uploading to Blackboard or other cloud
storage.
Presenters can connect wirelessly to the Clear Touch display from their mobile device
and display content on that device from anywhere in the room. In addition, student
work or team projects can also be shared on the Clear Touch display from their laptop
or other mobile device, allowing the instructor and other students to collaborate
on the work.
A wall-mounted 10” touch panel allows presenters to control the room technology. Presenters
can turn the Clear Touch display and Collaboration monitors on or off, adjust the
audio system volume and determine what content is shown on each display or monitor.
There are portable power pods for charging laptops or other mobile devices. Each pod
can be moved around the room and has 12 AC power plugs, 3 USB-A charging ports and
3 USB-C charging ports. AMG 300 has three portable power pods and AMG 320 has two.
Cameras and ceiling microphones allow presenters to conduct video conferences. Guest
speakers and students can interact with each other as well as share content in real
time. AMG 300 has a Jabra PanaCast 180° 4K camera whereas AMG 320 has an AVer Auto
tracking PTZ instructor camera and ClearOne PTZ student cameras.
AMG 300's Unique Equipment
There are two HD collaboration monitors on both sides of the Clear Touch panel, which
display the Clear Touch panel’s content to all the students. The monitors are also
used for group collaboration and students can connect wirelessly to the monitors from their laptop or other mobile device. Along with the Clear Touch display, the
monitors provide opportunities for multiple group collaborative sessions and participation
among instructors, presenters and students.
AMG 320's Unique Equipment
The seven student workstations can connect to TVs either wireless or via a cable.
To have a wired connection use the provided HDMI cable or you can connect up to 4
students to TVs wirelessly by downloading the Sharelink Pro app. The workstations also have desktop power modules for charging laptops and other
devices.
The classroom has a Listen Technologies device that enhances volume for the hearing
impaired.
Teaching in an Active Learning Classroom
Faculty that have never taught in AMG 300 or AMG 320 will have to complete an orientation
process.
If you have completed the orientation and would like utilize the ALC environment for
single session or a whole semester, please contact Sugar Land Academic Services. Classes that emphasize student engagement and group collaboration will be prioritized.