Georganne Ross / John Burchfield

john.burchfield@mtsu.edu

Marva Lucas / Mike Boyle

University College - University Studies Department

Master Classroom

KOM126

N/A

N/A

The University College would like to request funding for conversion of KOM126 (former on-line testing center) to a second lab/classroom for READ 1000 classes. Last fall one reading lab/classroom was insufficient to serve the 17 sections that were needed. Since the course was created in 2006 a 43% increase in enrollment has resulted in 100 students underserved due to lack of classroom space this past fall. We anticipate using a second lab for 5 sections (100 students, 20 contact hours) in the fall. The course is designed to enhance textbook reading skills necessary for success in reading intensive general education courses. The proposal is designed to upgrade KOM126 to provide 20 workstations and tablets for instruction. It is preferable to use tablets as students will be able to hold and manipulate the devices as they would hold books. The student’s ability to place it between himself and the instructor or to carry it to a tutor untethered will facilitate the collaborative assistance that is the primary format for instruction. Tablets will furnish better accessibility features and controls (such as text-to-speech for ELL and visually impaired students), text tracking features to help students work on fluency, and apps such as Subtext will allow students to share annotations. During lecture, instructors can use tablets to move about the room untethered, and project screen image on monitors.