More than 400 classrooms across the University of Texas at Arlington and UTA Fort Worth campuses underwent a transformation over the last two years, reshaping how faculty teach and students learn.
The Classroom Technology Modernization Program was born from a need to standardize technology across teaching spaces, ensuring our classrooms are equipped with tools that foster engagement and flexibility. From upgraded projection systems and interactive displays to enhanced audio capabilities, these improvements are designed to make learning more dynamic and accessible.
Dr. Alice Lubbe, assistant professor of instruction in the Department of Mathematics, likes to keep an active classroom where she can lecture and have students work on a problem at the same time.
“It makes it a lot easier to engage with the students,” said Lubbe. “I can always come up [to my desk] during the class and I can change another screen, put another thing on the doc camera, work out a problem and be active with the students.”
Dr. Natalie Guapp, adjunct assistant professor in the Department of English, feels the same. She says the addition of a central control panel has made a big difference in her teaching.
“Although my classes are heavy lecture content, when I do use any kind of media or need to access any programs on Canvas, I’m finding it to work a lot more fluidly,” said Guapp. “I can have multiple programs up at one time and easily interchange between them. It’s working on all cylinders now for me.”
The program team, led by the Office of Information Technology, conducted extensive research with faculty and staff through surveys and focus groups to gather insight and guidance on technology needs to support effective teaching, learning and collaboration.
The research resulted in a list of needs for our classrooms, including:
For Dr. Guapp, these changes have increased her confidence in connecting with today’s modern student.
“Early in my education, I came from the old school – ring a bell, the instructor would start lecturing, and that was it. There was no multimedia. Someone might roll in a cart with a VCR at some point, but that was it,” said Guapp. “Some of the high schools now are incredibly impressive with what they have. Today’s students come in from a program where they’re used to multimedia accompanying the lecture or a series of slides to compliment the lecture. UTA is a place where we’re all on top of our game. They’re not going to come in and go ‘oh, well, back in high school we…’ I feel like they come into a classroom where we’re ready to meet the needs of a 21st century student.”
Dr. Lubbe agrees that these changes reflect UTA’s commitment to future-ready education, where technology enhances, not replaces, the human connection in learning.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve tried anything new. It’s just made it easier to do what I like to do anyway, which is the active classroom,” said Lubbe. “The change would be that instead of giving some instruction and then they work on something, I can give instruction and they work at the same time.”
OIT recently expanded the AV Support team to ensure classrooms across campus are appropriately supported. Our goal going forward is to upgrade technology equipment in classrooms on a regular refresh cycle to keep the equipment functional and up to date.
OIT is also working with the Division of Faculty Success to collect regular feedback from UTA faculty about teaching tools required. This will allow us to be proactive about meeting technology needs in the future.
If you are teaching in any classrooms across campus and need technology support, we are here to assist. You can contact the AV Support team at AVSupport@uta.edu or by calling 817-272-1449.
Note: The project was funded by Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund dollars from the Office of Postsecondary Education.
Ashley • 2025-Oct-22
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