Weston Active Learning Lab

Client: Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Project:

The Weston Active Learning Lab achieves true collaboration through its networked AV solution. This flagship project was shortlisted at both 'the AV Awards' and 'The Times Higher Education Awards', recognising both its innovation and impact.


Brief

'Our aspiration is to create a technologically advanced learning and teaching environment that will support global health leaders of the future in making informed and agile lifesaving decisions in their day-to-day work.'

Established in 1898, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine was the first institution in the world dedicated to research and teaching in the field of tropical medicine. Their work has been vital in combating diseases such as HIV, Aids and Malaria. Such critical work requires state-of-the-art facilities.

The Weston Active was developed in response to LSTM’s ongoing strategy to become a hub for experts and professionals in the field. This required a move away from a traditional classroom set up and towards a modern constructivism based approach. Collaboration and group learning were the key to the success of the room, in which the tutor would act as guide and students learn from one another, constructing their knowledge rather than being directly taught. 

Key Features

  • Super Fast Switching - The Crestron DM-NVX, the only true AVoverIP solution, enables lossless switching between 150 endpoints.
  • Bespoke AV integrated furniture - Zioxi developed tables encourage collaboration and house all the AV in a stylish unit.
  • Student presentation mode and live lecture capture - Students can live stream to other groups in the room at the touch of a button.
  • Wireless Connectivity - Powered by the Mersive Solstice Pods, students can connect and share content from their own device.


Solution

Roche deployed the powerful Crestron DM-NVX system, to turn an old finance office into a modern teaching space, run entirely over network. With over 150 endpoints spread across eight tables, the room is equipped to handle a range of learning methods, from formal lectures to group discussions. Student present mode allows study groups to present their work to other tables, with live image and audio capture, all at the touch of a button.




Partners

Outcome

The project has been extremely well received by both students and staff at LSTM. It has enabled them to teach and learn in ways which were not previously accessible to them.

The project has also received two awards nominations, 'education project of the year' at the 'AV Awards' and 'technological or digital innovation of the year' at 'THE Awards'. These nominations represent the impact the project has had on both the AV and higher education worlds and dedication to innovation displayed by Roche.

'Group work and scenarios are a brilliant way to learn. The lab technology and facilities really support this' - Student feedback 
'This inspiring space which combines unique design with cutting edge technology encourages communication and collaboration, enabling tutors to adopt approaches which support the development of essential skills in future leaders of global health.' - Phil Padfield, Dean of Education, LSTM
“We are delighted to have been shortlisted for a THE Award for the Weston Active Learning Lab. We were determined to design a space that inspired innovation and radical thinking, and the fact that we are also nominated for an industry award is a testament to what we have achieved. We train the global health leaders of the future and our aspiration was to create a technologically-advanced learning environment that will support our graduates in making informed and agile life-saving decisions in their day-to-day work.” Dan Robinson, Manager of LSTM’s Technology Enhanced Learning Unit (TEL)