Large Classroom Design

Resource Title:
Large Classroom Design

Large classrooms are usually designed for 25-100 students. They are ideal for lecture, collaborative learning and/or the integration of multimedia technology into class lessons.

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Acoustics

  • Carpeting and upholstered chairs should be used if available (Burnett et al., 2003).
  • Use of acoustical tile on the ceiling and acoustically-absorbent material on the rear wall should be considered (Burnett et al., 2003).

Furniture

  • Moveable seating and tables are preferred. In rooms with tiered seating or capacity for 60 or more students, fixed seating and tables are almost always required, in which case the guidelines for lecture hall furniture should be adhered to (Allen et al., 1996; Burnett et al., 2003; University of Washington, 2002).
  • If tablet-arm chairs are used, at least 10% should be left-handed and 5% should be ADA accessible (Cornell University, 1998).

Instructional Media

  • Overhead projectors and other equipment, when not ceiling mounted, should be stored on moveable carts (Allen et al., 1996; Cornell University, 1998).

Projection Screen

  • Chalkboards or whiteboards should be visible while projection screen is in use (Burnett et al., 2003).
projection screens   The projection screen should be positioned in a manner that allows the white or blackboard to be visible while the screen is in use. This screen, in an Undergraduate Science Building classroom, is on a track and allows the instructor to vary its position along the whiteboard.

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