New approaches for studying multidimensional use of classroom space: A pilot study of three classroom technologies

Abstract

This classroom technology pilot explored the ways in which three different tools yielded insights into instructors’ and students’ use of physical classroom space in a higher ed environment. The tools of interest were a ceiling heatmap camera from Panasonic, small ultra-wideband movement trackers from Pozyx, and an audio sensor from TSI. Major goals of this pilot study were to determine the nature of the information that these tools could provide relevant to use of classroom space separately and in concert, and to document the process of piloting new classroom technologies designed to study physical classroom spaces and the teaching and learning taking place therein. This pilot experience contributes to foundations for using these three tools—and others designed to collect similar data--to study teaching and learning in physical classroom space and using the insights they yield to support the design of new classroom spaces. This pilot also contributes lessons learned for introducing new tools into classroom spaces and bringing instructors, researchers, and technology experts together for using and studying new classroom technology that captures various auditory, movement, and positioning data to learn more about use of physical learning space.