Teaching & Learning Lab

The playground which nurses the development of futuristic education

Video impression

In this video, you get a general impression of the Teaching & Learning Lab.

In the educational and testing facilities of the Teaching & Learning Lab, the education determines the layout of the space, instead of the space determining how the instructor can teach. Tables and chairs, sitting or standing tables, or no furniture at all: anything is possible in these experimental learning spaces. In addition to the flexible furnishings, the space has modern equipment available that can be used during the teaching moment, such as digital whiteboards, an interactive wall for mindmapping and brainstorming sessions, and observation cameras for educational research. The TLL has two of these educational and testing facilities, as well as a studio where instructors can record knowledge clips, brief videos, webinars or other video resources under the supervision of an operator.

The Teaching & Learning Lab (TLL) was created in 2016 to address instructors’ desire to design their own teaching spaces. The TLL is an education lab for instructors in secondary education, pupils, students, educational researchers and companies to experiment and conduct research into new teaching formats. The lab offers space to investigate, test and develop new opportunities in real-world teaching practice. Together, the users of the TLL improve their own teaching skills and inspire their colleagues with new ideas. The experiences and results gained from these experiments have led to innovations such as the realisation of the Active Learning Classroom at Utrecht University.

TLL 3.22
Images of TLL (large room)

How is the space used?

Due to the experimental nature of the TLL educational facilities and the modern equipment available, the reservation procedure involves participating in an intake interview. Together with the educational consultant, the instructor will discuss his/her education-related wishes in order to develop a suitable teaching setting. The Teaching & Learning Lab’s unique advantage is the ability to create a teaching space from scratch, based on the learning objectives to be achieved and the desired relevant learning activities.

Find inspiration for innovative lessons at the Teaching & Learning Lab good practices page.

Video about the TLL.

Difference TLL 3.19 & 3.22

Two Learning Spaces have been designed as Teaching & Learning Lab, where innovative forms of education can be tested and evaluated.

The differences between these learning spaces are mostly size and capacity. TLL 3.22 is larger and contains more equipment to support a the broadest measure of evaluation possible, however both learning spaces have access to the same equipment to support different forms of education.

Practical information

The Teaching & Learning Lab has been set up at the next location: 

  • Buys Ballot building; room 3.19 and 3.22
  • Capacity: 24 & 36 respectively

Reservations:

For recurring use of a Future Learning Space, please contact your faculty scheduler. An introductory interview is part of the process. Please note! Deadlines for booking an FLS for regular education are communicated via intranet.

For the occasional use of a Future Learning Space outside of regular education, you can use the self-service module TE Reserve.

Do you have questions or would you like a tour? Send an email to fls@uu.nl

Suitable for: experimental, innovative, group collaboration, education-related research

The Teaching & Learning Lab is a joint project of the Freudenthal Institute and Future Learning Spaces