Thanks Jim. Currently the room is approximately twice as long as it is wide, if that helps in gauging rectangularity.
Certainly the acoustics are something we are focusing on. We currently use a room with similar dimensions for TBL but the acoustics are very unfavorable. On the other hand,
I’m worrying about students seeing other students, not just hearing them. Plus, even if I can see you, you can still feel a long way away from me (thinking of sports stadia!).
I would be interested in hearing about the specific facilitation techniques in large groups. Thanks!
Hugh
Hugh Clements-Jewery, PhD
Assistant Professor of Physiology
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
400 N Lee Street
Lewisburg, WV 24901
Office: +1-304-793-6822
Fax: +1-304-645-4859
From: Sibley, James Edward [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2012 10:28 AM
To: Clements-Jewery, Hugh
Cc: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Dimensions of the ideal TBL facility
My question is how rectangular....a little bit might be ok....but not too much....hmmm
In really large group (what I would call 220)...the best I have seen....is the low angle....curved near square (slightly rectangular) theaters with lots of room to move behind rows...usually 2 row each low angle teir
Really pay attention to the quality of the room acoustics.....if I can see you and hear you....it will be OK
There are some specific facilitation techniques in large groups to encourage interconnectedness
I have one of my faculty that is really talneted at this.....If you want I could try to gt you connected with him
Jim Sibley
Sorry for brief message -sent from my iPad
On 2012-05-21, at 7:03 AM, "Clements-Jewery, Hugh" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Hi All,
We are in the process of designing a large facility for TBL. The facility would encompass the entire class (approx 220 students). Thus far the architects have come up with a room of rectangular proportions. We are worried about the possible lack of ‘inter-connectedness’ (for want of a better phrase) of the teams in a rectangular room – can teams at one end (or one corner) of the room have difficulty feeling and being a part of the inter-team discussion? Is there any hard evidence that a room with a square design would help with ‘inter-connectedness’ (we’ll need to back up requests to the architects!)?
I understand that many of us make TBL work in facilities that are non-ideal, but theoretically what room proportions would you have if money, practicalities etc were not issues?
Many thanks in advance
Hugh
Hugh Clements-Jewery, PhD
Assistant Professor of Physiology
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
400 N Lee Street
Lewisburg, WV 24901
Office: +1-304-793-6822
Fax: +1-304-645-4859