The Faculty Collaboration Studio at University of Buffalo is a unique physical space that is a convergence of improving teaching and learning practices, innovative technology integration, and applied learning space design research.
The Faculty Collaboration Studio was conceived as a hub for research and experimentation for not only educational researchers and faculty but also support units across the university. With collaborative relationships with IT, design and planning and facilities, the FCS is able to provide a unique space and support for the kinds of experimentation that are critical prior to full scale, university- wide adoption. Whether it's research into the efficacy of digital collaboration in active learning environments, teaching new faculty best practices for large lecture or architecture and planning inviting faculty and students to test new furniture for comfort, the Faculty Collaboration Studio allows access to a classroom without the traditional complications and limitations that would come with experimentations in a standard classroom with groups of students and faculty moving through it through the day.
This presentation will "tell the story" of the Faculty Collaboration Studio; from original conception to it's the completion of construction phase and on to its management and future projects. Included will be a discussion of how the Center for Educational Innovation was able to leverage the extensive knowledge that resides in the decanal units in its design and planning process.