College of Education enhances spaces for future teachers

Future teacher Alex Watkins knows the classroom he'll soon stand at the front of won't necessarily look like the ones where he learned.

Modern technology — from 3D printers to other makerspace tools — has become increasingly accessible, both to the public and the schools teaching students how to use it.

But Watkins, a senior in psychological sciences and educational studies, isn't worried about navigating the future classroom or the technology he'll need to support his students. He'll be ready to hit the ground running.

There's no single blueprint for what a classroom looks like anymore. For the next generation of teachers in K-State's College of Education, that means learning how to teach with technology, collaborate in new ways and adapt to different learning environments — before they ever have a classroom of their own.

The College of Education is giving students room to do just that, with recent improvements to its Catalyst Center and a new outdoor classroom and amphitheater providing places to learn, practice and prepare for the many learning spaces they will one day lead.

Catalyzing collaboration

Located on the ground floor of Bluemont Hall, the Catalyst serves as a teaching and learning hub for College of Education students, faculty and staff. The recently renovated space provides technology support, media services and collaborative work areas, while giving students access to resources including a makerspace, Game Lab and technology-rich collaboration spaces.

"The focus is on teaching and learning," said Debbie Mercer, Nelson and Marilyn Galle Dean of the College of Education. "Students can create resources to use as they teach in schools, practice technology use for teaching lessons, or work on course work."

The updates were prompted in part by the need for upgraded technology, but Mercer said the renovation also has created opportunities for students to collaborate, study and create in new ways.

That's particularly important as College of Education graduates enter schools where technology is an inherent part of their students' daily classwork.

"These services and spaces prepare education students to tackle issues we may face before we even get into the classroom, allowing us to focus more on advocating for and educating our future students and matching their specific needs for learning and collaborating with others," Watkins said.

A new outdoor space to learn and study

Just outside Bluemont Hall, the college has also transformed a previously underused area into an outdoor classroom and amphitheater.

What was once a space of mud, overgrown bushes and sparse grass is now a place for students and faculty to gather, teach and learn, Mercer said.

College of Education faculty have started using the space as the pleasant fall weather sets in, and the college enhanced Wi-Fi coverage to better support technology use in the outdoor space.

Together, the projects reflect the College of Education's work to expand learning beyond traditional classrooms and give students more spaces to learn, collaborate and prepare for their future careers as educators.

"A strength of K-State is our beautiful campus," Mercer said. "I think we can continue to improve use of the space by students. This has been a goal as we have addressed the outdoor space around Bluemont Hall the last few years. Slow and steady improvements have created spaces to gather, talk, relax and learn."