Smart Classroom Unveiled

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas Honors College will demonstrate the newly installed technology in Giffels Auditorium at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13. The cutting-edge equipment was purchased with funding from the $200 million gift made by the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation to the Honors College.

The “smart classroom” equipment includes a digital projector, touch control panel, DVD and VCR, document camera, Windows and Macintosh computers, and annotation software. During the demonstration, Dave Fredrick, a professor of classical studies, and Chaim Goodman-Strauss, a professor of mathematics, will each provide five-minute presentations on ways to use the equipment to enhance classroom instruction.

“This increase in the technology available for teaching is just one more way that the Walton gift has transformed the University Arkansas,” said Honors College Dean Bob McMath. “This new technology affects every student on the campus, not just Honors College students. The Honors Technology Committee, chaired by Bob Zimmerman and Dave Fredrick, has worked tirelessly to get us here.”

Classroom technology is critical to classroom instruction, ongoing research and curriculum development. Universities across the country promote the availability of such technology in their recruitment materials. The Walton Family Charitable Trust dedicated $5 million of the initial Honors College gift to provide classroom technology as well as technological support for the library. So far, 23 “smart” classrooms have been created across the campus, with three more high-tech meeting rooms installed in the library. Additional rooms are planned for the renovated Chemistry Building, the new J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. Center for Academic Excellence and the Willard J. Walker Hall, bringing the total to 40.

Faculty, staff and students as well as members of the community are invited to attend Thursday’s “unveiling.”  Refreshments will be available at 4 p.m. prior to the demonstration.