Leigh Barnett Shapiro

I have been a part of a team who have developed a variety of active learning classroom environments at Dawson College. As a designer and teacher, I am able to observe the behavior of students in high-tech classrooms with Smartboards and in low-tech environments with writable surfaces. I use computer programs such as SmartAmp to facilitate collaboration outside of the classroom. I have discovered that the right furnishings, lighting and non-traditional classroom environment can be beneficial to student comfort and motivation.

Projects:

Leigh is interested in studying and evaluating the effects of new classroom environments for both students and teachers. Leigh was a fellow of the Dawson Active Learning Community (DALC) in 2015 & 2016.

1. Chair of Dawson Working Group – Development of New Low-Tech Active Learning Classrooms (2015)
   Gathered information from instructors and administrators to develop the design of AL classrooms. The project led to ECQ funding of 3 new low-tech AL classrooms that provided writable surfaces on all walls with varying levels of flexibility in table arrangements. Rooms were completed for Fall 2015/2016.
2. Developing Strategies for Active Learning
3. Project-based instructional design
   As a design teacher, I am very comfortable with project-based learning in a studio environment. My students are well versed in self-guided learning and are very eager to share ideas in a collaborative environment. Smartboards and computer programs like SmartAmp provide opportunities for my students to explore and share ideas both inside and outside the classroom.