As part of my job I have to check out various bits of technology in lecture theatres across the campus. It’s just about the start of a new academic year so the campus is currently spookily empty and I took a few pictures as I went.
These are pretty bog standard large lecture theatres. All windowless. Raked, pretty uncomfortable seating.
This one is pretty new. It has windows (hurrah). Not much is different other than that though.
This one is pretty amazing. It’s an actual theatre…with a proscenium arch and everything. The seats at the front can be pushed back to make a giant hall. I can’t imagine trying to teach in here though. Even this view with empty seats is pretty daunting.
I was running around checking out the installation of an audience response system…known as clickers. One of the technologies used to try to make large lectures more interactive. Every student has a little plastic card with buttons, a clicker. The lecturer can ask questions, and they can respond by clicking. It’s all pretty basic but works pretty well.
Tartantastic 
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