The University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside) transformed their traditional classroom environment in the XCITE Center for Teaching and Learning (XCITE) creating an innovative space to test cutting-edge technology with the goal of improving student learning across disciplines.
To execute this transformation, UC Riverside incorporated ThinkHub visual collaboration software into this space to create a ‘Classroom of the Future’ that:
- Enables hands-on learning for students
- Fosters collaboration between peer networks
- Facilitates exploration of complex subjects
Here’s how UC Riverside’s students are using ThinkHub to excel in their new, HyFlex learning environment…
- Immersing themselves in complex topics by interacting with detailed visuals on an expansive digital Canvas
- Working through solutions and conceptualizing problems using the digital whiteboard feature
- Connecting and collaborating — both synchronously and asynchronously — through web-based productivity tools (Google Workspace, O365, YouTube, etc.), file-based content (multipage PDFs, images, etc.), video conferencing applications (Zoom, Webex, MS Teams, Google Meet), and more.
- Sparking discovery and dialogue by exploring subjects, trading insights, and debating ideas with their peers in real-time
By implementing ThinkHub, UC Riverside’s XCITE Center is now an immersive and inclusive learning environment that acts as a resource to students across disciplines — and students couldn’t be happier.
"Before, we were in this really tiny conference room. There would be this one whiteboard and our professor would be the only one drawing on it. But here, students can go up and write things down and they can talk to other students – and there’s a bigger, more collaborative space, so it’s way different than what it would be like in a huge lecture hall." - Aurchana, First Year Biochemistry Student, UC Riverside
The instructors even shared that they see a difference in student enthusiasm and participation thanks to ThinkHub.
"We have an informal setting where the students are encouraged to come up here – you know, they’re loving it. They’re jumping in; they’re able to have that peer-to-peer interaction. I’m able to kind of float around, encourage them to come up, share ideas – really, the sky’s the limit." - Josh Hartman, Assistant Professor of Teaching, Chemistry Department, UC Riverside
Check out our full case study for a closer look at how UC Riverside’s XCITE Center is using ThinkHub to create an immersive and dynamic active learning environment for students.
