INTERACTIVE LEARNING SPACE INITIATIVE
TEACHING AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY
2016-2017
Ball State University is entering year four of the Interactive Learning Space Initiative with the
purpose of strengthening learning though pedagogy, learning space design, and technology.
This type of learning community-centered education will help prepare graduates to live and
work in a world that requires collaboration and problem solving. A learning community has the
power to motivate its members to exceptional performance, especially when pedagogy, space,
and technology are brought together and allowed to evolve.
DEFINITION OF INTERACTIVE LEARNING and DESCRIPTION OF SPACE
The purpose of Interactive Learning Space Initiative is to move away from the traditional lecture
based course to an engaged learning course. In this environment, the course focus will move
from content to application and support the implementation of engaged learning
methodologies such as Inquiry Based Learning, Team Based Learning, and Problem Based
Learning. The intent is for the majority of content dissemination to occur outside of the class
meeting time allowing the students to actively engage in the application of course content
during class time.
Furnishing and Technology Elements
The type and arrangement of furnishings in the three Interactive Learning Spaces (TC411, TC
412, and TC 414) support student collaboration. TC 414 has four Media:scapes™ each seating
six students with a large monitor display attached to one end facilitating the sharing of content
from student laptops. TC 412 has 24 mobile Node™ chairs allowing multiple classroom
arrangements to better facilitate small and large group interaction. Both spaces support a
maximum enrollment of 24 students. TC 411 has a variety of seating—tables, soft seating, and
buoys—offering options to up to 18 participants and room arrangements.
In addition to the furnishings, the learning spaces foster learner interaction through the use of
interactive whiteboards placed throughout the spaces to notate ideas, project images from
Office of Educational Excellence
various sources (i.e. instructor and student laptops) for viewing by the entire class, and smaller,
portable whiteboards (Huddle Boards ™) that students can use at their seats and then display
for the entire class to view. All three spaces are equipped with Apple TV allowing instructors
and students to project from their iPads and/or iPhones.
Finally, in the two larger spaces, the instructor podium and laptop is reduced in size to support
a facilitator, rather than lecturer, role. In TC 411 there is no designated instructor location.
Expansion of Interactive Learning Spaces Across Campus
Since the fall of 2012, TC412 and TC414 have been the two classrooms on the Ball State campus
specifically designed as Interactive Learning Spaces. Two additional spaces were identified for
similar renovations in order to expand the initiative to additional buildings and class sizes.
Opened in fall of 2015, BB109 accommodates enrollments for 40-76 students and RB109 serves
classes of up to 36 students. The latter space is partially funded by a grant from Steelcase with
the purpose of supporting courses in teacher education as well as courses from departments
that are located in RB.
TC 411, TC412, and TC414 serve as intake rooms for this initiative. Once a faculty member has
completed the initial experience as outlined in this call for applications, he/she will be eligible
to teach in one of the additional spaces during future semesters.
SCHOLARSHIP COMPONENT OF INITIATIVE
An additional element of this initiative is the pursuit to study how pedagogy, learning spaces,
and technology impact student learning. ILS faculty members are expected to participate in
scholarship. This can be done individually, with another ILS faculty member, and/or as part of a
large research study conducted by OEE.
The ultimate intent of the Interactive Learning Space Initiative is to replicate best practices for
redesign of other spaces throughout the university keeping in mind how we can better support
active learning pedagogy by transforming learning spaces.
APPLICATION PROCESS, FACULTY DEVELOPMENT, and SCHOLARSHIP
Faculty members holding tenure track or academic year contract appointments in any unit of
the University may apply to participate in the Interactive Learning Space (ILS) Initiative.
ILS participants AGREE to the following
 Participate in a faculty development program designed to (1) prepare them to use the
space, equipment, and technology, and (2) assist them in redesigning their course to
focus on application of content as well as methods that promote student interaction
and engaged learning.
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


Produce scholarship regarding their use of and/or experience with the Interactive
Learning Space. The type of scholarship produced will be determined by faculty
members’ disciplines and/or contribute to the scholarship of teaching and learning
(SoTL). In preparation, they may complete CITI certification and the IRB proposal
process.
Participate in research implemented by the Office of Educational Excellence including,
but not limited to, observation of faculty members’ use of space during instruction as
well as surveys and/or interviews of faculty members and students enrolled in the
courses.
Participate in presentations to colleagues about their experience with the Interactive
Learning Space (faculty development, course redesign, course implementation, resulting
scholarship) and be willing to serve as mentors for future Interactive Learning Space
Initiative participants.
ILS participants will RECEIVE the following
 Professional development sessions beginning with Intersession week and continuing
throughout their time in the initiative (Conversation Hours in the summer, Faculty
Learning Communities during fall and spring semesters)
 Individualized support in course redesign.
 General assistance with scholarship and research preparation.
 Mentoring from a current ILS faculty member.
 Use of one of three Interactive Learning Spaces (TC411, TC 412, TC 414) for teaching
the redesigned course for two semesters (Spring 2017 and Fall 2017). This may be
followed by use of additional ILS classrooms (BB 109, RB 109) across campus.
During the review of applications, strong consideration will be given to applicants who
 Demonstrate a commitment to adapting their teaching style to focus on learnercentered instruction.
 Teach their course in both fall and spring semesters or are able to teach one section of
the proposed course in the Interactive Learning Space and a second section in a
traditional learning space during the same semester.
The selection committee will also strive to choose courses from a cross-section of disciplines.
TIMELINE
Participation in the Interactive Learning Space Initiative occurs over six-semester timeframe:
Spring 1 (Spring 2016)
 Apply to ILS Initiative including a brief description of proposed ILS course in its current
format and how students would benefit from an ILS experience
Office of Educational Excellence
January 2016
Call for application to participate in the 2016-17 ILS Initiative
announced
February 29, 2016
Application to participate in the ILS Initiative due to OEE (TC415)
March 2016
Applications reviewed, participants selected and notified
Summer 1 (Summer 2016)
 Participate in Faculty Development Week (May Intersession) and Conversation Hours
(throughout summer)
 Redesign course and report on redesign
May 9-13, 2016
ILS Faculty Development Week
Fall 1 (Fall 2016)
 Participate in Faculty Learning Community
 Observe current cohort teaching and complete observation summary report
 Finalize course redesign
Spring 2 (Spring 2017)
 Teach ILS course
 Participate in Faculty Learning Community
 Begin forming scholarship/research agenda
Summer 2 (Summer 2017)
 Facilitate Faculty Development Week for incoming cohort
 Mentor member of incoming cohort
 Consider additional course redesign based on spring implementation
 Continue developing/implement scholarship/research
Fall 2 (Fall 2017)
 Teach ILS course
 Participate in Faculty Learning Community
 Continue/conclude scholarship/research agenda
Office of Educational Excellence
Interactive Learning Space Initiative
Teaching and Research Application
2016-2017
Please print, complete, and return this application to the Office of Educational Excellence (TC
415) by 4:00 pm on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016.
Name
____________________________________________________________
Department
____________________________________________________________
College
____________________________________________________________
Phone
____________________________________________________________
Email
____________________________________________________________
Campus Mail ____________________________________________________________
1. Course prefix, number, title: ______________________________________________
A 2-3 sentence description of the course to be designed or redesigned for the Interactive
Learning Space. (Please attach a current syllabus for the proposed ILS course.)
2. Is this course for _____ undergraduates
_____ graduates
_____ both
3. Do you plan to teach the course during spring 2017 and fall 2017?
_____
4. Do you teach more than one section of this course during the semester? _____
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5. What is the approximate or anticipated enrollment of the course?
_____
6. When does this course typically meet (days/time)? Is this time offering flexible?
Considering how participation in the ILS Initiative might enhance your students’ learning and
their academic success as well as enhance your teaching, please respond to the following
questions.
7. Why is this course a good candidate to be redesigned and taught in an Interactive Learning
Space?
What resources of the ILS Initiative do you anticipate will be most useful for you?
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8. I will be available to participate in the Interactive Learning Space Faculty Development Week
during intercession week (May 9-13, 2016). YES _____
NO _____
My signature below indicates that I wish to be considered for participation in the Interactive
Learning Space Initiative. I agree to be an active participant in the faculty development
program (including, but not limited to, the ILS Faculty Learning Community) as well as the
scholarship/research component of the initiative (including, but not limited to, my students’
participation in the end-of-semester surveys).
________________________________________
Applicant
____________________________
Date
Supporting Signatures:
________________________________________
Department Chair
____________________________
Date
________________________________________
College Dean
____________________________
Date
Office of Educational Excellence