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.

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.