Best classrooms at Bradley University
As another semester nears its end, we’ve evaluated the comfort and convenience levels of the places students spend most of their time.
A large part of the college experience is, quite obviously, going to class. In fact, college students spend an average of 15 to 20 hours per week in the classroom, according to North Central College.
Now, there are a variety of classroom styles across the five academic buildings on Bradley’s campus, each with benefits and drawbacks. That then begs the question: what elements make for a “good” classroom?
Using a set of criteria, we’ve evaluated classrooms on Bradley’s campus to determine the best ones in various categories. This enabled us to consider the factors that either help or hinder students’ learning experience.
Why should you trust us?
Over the past two weeks, we have visited numerous classrooms in the Global Communications Center (GCC), Olin Hall, Bradley Hall, Westlake Hall and the Business and Engineering Convergence Center (BECC).
As students who have taken numerous classes at Bradley, we have firsthand experience of what it is like to learn in these classrooms for weeks at a time. We’ve also acquired feedback from students across campus, weighing in on what they believe contributes to a comfortable learning environment.
Who is this for and why does it matter?
The amount of time students spend in classrooms is significant, and everyone deserves to learn in a comfortable and easy-to-navigate space. Overall, a vibrant, inviting and accommodating environment is essential to student success.
Audio visual consultant company DGI explains that making college learning spaces flexible and incorporating environmental designs can foster collaboration as well as increase morale and focus.
We wanted to highlight favorable classrooms on Bradley’s campus while also acknowledging what can be improved. This can open up conversations about adjusting classrooms to enhance the learning experience. If you’re a student who wants to know where the best classrooms are or what changes to advocate for, consider the following spaces.
How we picked and tested
We started with a large amount of rooms in each building to examine. Several rooms have the same arrangements, so we combined them in the decision-making process. In the end, we chose between rooms that best represented each building’s select layouts. We decided to exclude science laboratories and computer labs from consideration, as they are structured differently than the average classroom or lecture hall, which were our focuses.
We assessed each room based on its size and space, lighting and window capacity, chair comfort, desk size, technological accommodations and number of doors. We spent time in each room, carefully documenting the look and feel of the space, seating layout and the overall atmosphere. Then, we evaluated the rooms based on how they fit into four subcategories: best overall classrooms in an academic building, best classrooms for group work, most accessible classrooms and best lecture hall.
After the first round of tests, we compiled our observations and compared the classrooms based on the criteria to see which ones were more or less suitable. Based on the comparisons, we went back and focused on the differences between the classrooms to get a better feel for them. Finally, for each category, we chose our top picks along with two others that we considered along the way.
Best overall classrooms
Our top choice: BECC
The classrooms in BECC are unmatched. Most rooms feel airy because there is at least one wall of glass windows and a glass door. Given that a significant portion of the building is also glass, daylight continually shines through. It might be distracting at times to see everything that goes on in the hallway, but it makes the space not feel closed in.
A study published by the National Library of Medicine found that as lighting is a critical issue in school design, students perform better when learning in classrooms with windows.
The chairs are average when it comes to comfort, but the wheels glide across the room so effortlessly if students need to move around. Sitting for long periods also does not seem so daunting. The tables have wheels and charger ports built in for convenience, plus multiple screens around the room mean students don’t have to crane their necks to focus on instruction.
On top of that, there is more than enough distance between each table, which makes entering and exiting easy. The overall space and technological accommodations set these classrooms apart from those in other buildings.
Runner up: Westlake Third Floor
Westlake’s third floor classrooms primarily appeal to students based on the layout. For instance, room 316A has three rows of tables that seat two students each. The amount of wide and lengthy tables gives the perfect amount of breathing room and keeps students engaged.
Students with multiple devices and materials can pay attention and take notes without worrying about anything falling off or disturbing the person next to them. Many rooms on the third floor have multiple doors so students don’t have to walk across the room to step out, letting instruction continue without interruption.
These rooms have sufficient overhead lights in addition to several windows that provide natural light and brighten the space. There are decent technological accommodations with outlets near every table.
One drawback is that the first few tables are positioned too close to the front of the room and can make use of the projector awkward for students sitting there. The chairs have wheels, but the hard plastic backing can get uncomfortable after a while. Altogether, the classrooms in Westlake excel at being comfortable and keeping students focused, with minor downsides.
Runner up: GCC Roundtable
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The roundtable classroom in the GCC is one of a few of its kind on Bradley’s campus. Its name signifies the room’s arrangement of chairs in a circle at one connected table. The chairs are some of the best in Bradley classrooms, too. They have wheels and armrests, can be adjusted and aren’t plastic like most are.
The full-length windows are a nice touch and provide a wonderful view of campus. The chairs are packed a little too close together, which might feel constricting if a class is at capacity, but there is plenty of workspace for everyone.
A notable pitfall is the lack of charging opportunities for students. There are a few outlets on the floor underneath the table but not enough to meet the demand. The position of screens around the table is perfect for everyone to focus on a lecture without needing to adjust.
The Yale Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning says an advantage to the roundtable layout is that it supports class discussions and partner dialogue. Students can feel more connected to their classmates when they’re able to look at their faces and talk to them directly, something that’s not always possible in classrooms with rows of desks and tables.
Best classrooms for group work
Our top choice: Westlake Basement
If there were ever classrooms designed for group work, it would be those in the basement of Westlake Hall. They have bright fluorescent lights and walls painted warm colors that make up for the lack of windows. There are outlets in reach of almost every table. The chairs have wheels and soft bottoms that offset the discomfort of the hard plastic back.
Like the building’s third floor, classrooms in the basement are arranged in tables rather than individual desks, allowing for ample space for any assortment of computers, tablets and notebooks.
Gustave Nollmeyer at Eastern Washington University says having tables instead of desks helps students connect with and understand the course material better because they’re able to work together.
The tables are also on wheels and can easily be moved and adjusted to maximize collaboration. As well, the extra space in the room means students can fluidly and comfortably work in groups without being too close or needing time to move stationery items. That being said, tables in the back corner of the room can be spread out more to take full advantage of the space.
Runner up: Olin Hall Basement
The basement of Olin Hall features a similar layout to the third floor of Westlake. There are typically two rows of four to five tables with four seats each. The tables have plenty of workspace and the size of the room allows students to spread out.
Group work is especially aided by the placement of whiteboards on all four walls of the rooms. During group activities, students are offered the luxury of working side-by-side.
The main downsides of Olin Hall classrooms are the chairs. The thin plastic is troublesome, especially for students in rigorous STEM classes that span multiple hours. Not to mention that the thin chair legs do not make it easy to scoot back or move around with ease on the carpeted floors. Nevertheless, these classrooms notably aim to target students’ needs in a spacious environment.
Runner up: GCC Second Floor
The second floor of the GCC houses wide rooms that generally fit up to 26 students. These classrooms are structured in rows of four desks each, with individual desks and wheeled chairs that students can adjust. This allows students to be considerate of those behind them and if they can see the front of the room without complaint. The chairs themselves, however, are plastic and offer little comfort.
Most notable about these rooms is the space between the desks. These classes don’t feel crowded or claustrophobic because there is more than enough room to get up and sit down without disturbing anyone. While the desks are stationary, the overall leg room and wheeled chairs make collaboration enjoyable without intense hassle.
“The wheeled desks and chairs allow students to comfortably and efficiently move around the classroom and network,” sophomore kinesiology and health sciences major Camilla Banat said. “What makes a comfortable classroom is space, most importantly. Being in a tight and packed classroom could be overstimulating and hard to focus.”
The expansive wall-length windows in some of the classrooms are another high note, providing a brilliant view of campus and enchanting natural light.
Most accessible classrooms
Our top choice: BECC Multipurpose Room
This bright, expansive space in the BECC is a model for how classrooms can be accessible for students. The classroom is wide and leaves space between the walls and each row of desks for students to come and go without incident.
There’s at least a foot or two between each row of desks so students don’t feel packed in, but there are eight total rows which can make traversing across the class or working in groups slightly difficult.
While the room has two doors, students in the BECC must tap their ID to get into class, which can be an added struggle for those with disabilities. The University of Washington says when addressing physical access to classrooms, universities should consider including doors with automatic openers, which would prevent any difficulties.
Runner up: Westlake Third Floor
This second version of a third floor Westlake classroom is decent when it comes to accessibility. The room itself is a reasonable size with two to three feet between each table. The tables aren’t the most spacious, but they have indents in the sides where students sit, four to a table. This can be more comfortable for sitting than a standard rectangular shape.
The room has six windows, the most in a given classroom, and just one door, which isn’t optimal if a student at the back of the class needs an accommodation.
The chairs have the same thin bottom fabric and plastic back as the other rooms on this floor, doing little for comfort. The outlets are mainly along the back wall so that could be problematic for students needing to charge their devices in class.
Runner up: GCC Second Floor
This second, contrasting style of a second floor GCC classroom is unique in its qualities and what it can offer students. While it has slightly less space than its counterpart, the fluid layout of chairs and desks provides flexibility. The floor-length windows once again supply a warming natural light that supports student focus and energy.
The chairs are inferior to the other rooms on the floor, as they are all set at one height and made of the same rigid plastic material. However, the armrests and wheels allow students a touch of comfort and less trouble when coming and going. These chairs can benefit from an ergonomic design, which the non-profit group In Education says provides lumbar support and promotes good posture.
The desks in this room lack sizable space, but there are several outlets scattered for easy access and enough floor space to accommodate specific seating requirements or aids for students with disabilities.
Best lecture hall
Our top choice: Bradley Hall
Bradley Hall’s Neumiller Hall, a lecture space and auditorium, takes the top spot in this category for several reasons. It is a large room with two doors and three sections for seating. The seats are decently comfortable with a soft upholstery, but are admittedly packed too close together and don’t offer enough desk space.
There’s also the disadvantage of limited outlets for students on a digitally connected campus. Despite these drawbacks, Neumiller’s bright lighting and spacious aisles offer greater accessibility and comfort than its counterparts.
Runner up: Westlake Hall
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Westlake’s lecture hall is arranged in five tiered rows in the middle of the room with two doors on either side. The overall space feels constricting from being so tightly packed with seats and no windows. The chairs have a soft fabric that isn’t as uncomfortable for long periods. Otherwise, it has the same issues as Neumiller with insufficient desk space, even more so with a surface that is barely arms-length.
“I have had lectures in both the ones in Olin and the one in Westlake. Both felt a little crowded with a greater class size,” sophomore nursing major Ella Coleman said. “I like that Olin has bigger desks than Westlake. I don’t like how steep of an angle the seating is in Westlake’s lecture hall.”
The arrangement of seats going up so high is a little unsettling and can make it hard to focus. Students also have to place their belongings at their feet, making it a nuisance for anyone who has to get up during class to do so smoothly and without being afraid of falling. Technological accommodations are also a problem in this lecture hall where there are hardly any outlets at students’ disposal.
Runner up: Olin Hall
Like the one in Westlake, the lecture hall in Olin is tiered, requiring students to bypass several others and take stairs to enter and exit the room. There is slightly more legroom compared to the other selections, but the small plastic seats are confining and don’t accommodate the range of student body types.
Carroll Seating, a company that specializes in revamping education spaces, says swing away seating is better than fixed seating because the space is easy to maintain and foam seat covers can be added for comfort.
As mentioned, the desks here are slightly bigger compared to Westlake and Neumiller Hall. Of the three lecture halls mentioned, Olin has the most unnatural lighting that ends up being too bright. This lecture hall lacks the space that Neumiller has, but is not as compact and intimidating as Westlake.