Yucheng Cao

yucheng.cao@mtsu.edu

Neporcha Cone

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation

Smart Classroom

COE 146

N/A

N/A

We would like to request funding to redesign COE 146 as a state-of-the-art classroom for synchronous-flex course delivery. The College of Education is one of the top producers of teachers in TN and currently serves over 1,100 students. More than 50% of our students are graduate students and classified as non-traditional. Synchronous-flex programming allows students the flexibility of joining class in-person or remotely. In addition to offering more flexibility to our current students, offering synchronous-flex classes will allow us to expand our enrollment to students outside of middle TN. This 20-person classroom will impact over 100 students each semester. Programs in the College of Education (e.g., Literacy Studies Ph.D., Early Childhood) will be offering synchronous-flex courses in Fall 2026. Currently we need at least two master classes that offer this technology to meet the schedule needs of the programs currently using a synchronous-flex format. Delivering high-quality synchronous-flex instruction requires a space designed to allow students to interact seamlessly with one another and faculty. We consulted with James Copeland and Dustin Cunningham to incorporate technology based on best practices in synchronous-flex instruction. The room will be equipped with high-definition cameras that track presenters and multiple large screens, making it easy to see and interact with students who are joining class remotely. We also consulted with Kelly Reaves to determine the construction needed to outfit the room for synchronous-flex instruction (e.g., paint, electrical, acoustic panels, furniture). The costs for these are listed below. Funding to redesign COE 146 will allow us expand enrollment and deliver high quality synchronous-flex learning experiences to our students. Thank you for your consideration.