Learning Space Review & Equipment Lifecycle
ITS Labs & Classrooms provides and supports the technology used for teaching and learning in more than 200 classrooms across SIUE’s Edwardsville, East St. Louis, Belleville, and Alton campuses. Working with Academic Scheduling, Facilities Management, faculty, and other campus partners, ITS regularly reviews each space to ensure its technology, layout, and overall condition continue to support effective instruction. Every classroom enters a formal review at least once during its seven-year equipment lifecycle. Equipment is then updated or, when it remains reliable and supportable, certified by ITS for continued use. Classroom computers follow a separate four-year replacement cycle. This coordinated approach combines lifecycle planning, operational data, faculty feedback, and direct room observations to guide responsible, evidence-based improvements.
Assessment
Our learning-space review process is informed by the Learning Space Rating System (LSRS), a higher-education framework for evaluating how classroom planning, design, technology, and support enable varied approaches to teaching and learning.
The process combines annual classroom surveys with faculty walkthroughs in spaces approaching review under the seven-year lifecycle. Faculty members who regularly teach in each space are joined by representatives from ITS Labs & Classrooms, Academic Scheduling, and Facilities Management. Together, they evaluate the room’s layout and furnishings, technology, accessibility, environmental quality, cleanliness, maintenance, operational support, and overall fit with teaching and learning needs. Faculty are also asked to identify barriers and recommend improvements that could better support their teaching practices and their students’ participation.
Survey and walkthrough findings are considered alongside equipment age, service history, classroom disruptions, support trends, and available funding. The criteria below guide each space review.
- Teaching & Learning Experience
- The classroom layout and technology support varied teaching styles.
- The instructor has clear line of sight to all students and displays.
- Students can easily see, hear, and engage with instruction.
- Layout & Furnishings
- Furniture supports flexible learning activities.
- Lighting, seating, and surfaces support comfort and focus.
- Technology & Tools
- Displays are appropriately sized, positioned, and functional.
- Audio is clear and consistent throughout the room.
- Connectivity (HDMI, wireless, network) is reliable.
- System startup and controls are intuitive.
- Environmental Quality
- Lighting, HVAC, and acoustics support learning.
- The room feels clean, maintained, and comfortable.
- Noise or glare does not interfere with instruction.
- Inclusion & Accessibility
- Entrances, circulation routes, and teaching areas are clear and usable.
- Accessible seating and work surfaces are available without separating students from their peers.
- Controls, connections, writing surfaces, and other classroom resources can be reached and used by people with differing physical abilities.
- Sightlines, displays, audio, lighting, and acoustics support participants with differing visual, hearing, sensory, and attention needs.
- The room supports equitable participation in individual, small-group, and whole-class activities.
- Faculty can identify accessibility or inclusion barriers that may not be apparent during a technical inspection.
- Operations & Support
- ITS and Facilities can maintain systems effectively.
- Documentation and usage guidance are easy to find in the room.
- Issues can be reported and resolved efficiently.
- Institutional Alignment
- The space supports SIUE’s teaching mission and priorities.
- The space supports the teaching and learning activities for which it is assigned.
- Additional Observations
- Are posted materials, signage, or unused fixtures still necessary?
- Additional comments or recommendations?
Funding Prioritization
Funding is provided by the student technology fee, so ITS is limited to funding learning space technology in the rooms - except for computer classrooms maintained by ITS. ITS will operate as a cost-free consultant on design and facility improvements - writing surfaces, furniture type and arrangement, portable boards, etc, but is not able to fund these improvements. Prioritizing technology improvements is determined as follows:
- Frequency and instructional impact of equipment fault/failures
- Equipment age and supportability
- Faculty walkthrough and classroom-survey findings
- Alignment with anticipated room use and teaching needs
- Opportunities to pilot proven or emerging technology
