CLSU Invests in Smart Classrooms to Boost Digital Learning

In an effort to bridge the digital divide and elevate the learning environment of students, Central Luzon State University (CLSU) is now investing in establishing smart classrooms.   In fact, the University through the International Affairs Office (IAO) recently unveiled its first smart classroom prototype as the ideal learning classroom space.   According to Dr. Parsons N. Hail, IAO head, the prototype was fully equipped with educational tools, communication, and learning technologies that will allow students to learn, collaborate, and innovate in many ways for a truly interactive and dynamic classroom experience.   In detail, he said that currently there are 20 node chairs inside the Visionary Smart Classroom equipped with tablets where learners can access materials and activities through the learning management systems. Also, an 85 inches smartboard was installed so that lecturers or facilitators could maximize the learning equipment by integrating the hybrid mode lectures both online and onsite.   “Through this set-up, we hope to cater to both local and international students and visitors to experience an advanced learning environment,” Dr. Hail said.   On the other hand, since the provision of smart classrooms is one of the priority infrastructure projects of President Edgar A. Orden, he already instructed the deans to prepare their plans for its establishment in their respective colleges.   The CLSU Administration has allotted almost 4 million pesos for the realization of this project with the College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Agriculture, and College of Fisheries for the first phase, while the College of Arts and Social Sciences, College of Business Administration and Accountancy, College of Veterinary Science and Medicine, and College of Home Science and Industry for the second phase.   “Changing times call for a change in the way people perceive learning. So, with this initiative, we hope that our students will come to this (smart) classroom excited to learn and that our innovative ways of teaching will inspire them to great heights,” President Orden said.   He also emphasized that lecturers and facilitators will be able to deliver lectures with creative visual presentations making studying more engaging.   With the smart classrooms in place, the University will now be able to embrace the shift in learning pedagogies that will enhance the learning processes of students.