Academic Innovation Center (AIC)
Bryant’s Academic Innovation Center, the groundbreaking resource for experiential learning that opened in fall of 2016, expands upon the successes gleaned from the Ideation Lab and Bello 102. Within its 48,000 square feet are breakout spaces that inspire design thinking and creative problem solving; tiered classrooms that encourage debate and build critical thinking and communication skills; flat classrooms that support flexible teaching styles and encourage collaboration; and the Janikies Innovation Forum, a space where furnishings and whiteboards can be reconfigured to support various group learning activities. Kip Ellis, lead designer of the Center, describes some of the key design drivers for the building.
The building has 10 classrooms, five of which are “tiered” rooms inspired by the case study method of teaching, and the other five are “flat”, with furniture that is fully reconfigurable to accommodate different pedagogies and classroom dynamics. Twenty-four study and breakout rooms are available for student work, and the large Janikies Innovation Forum provides a space for presentations, conferences, workshops and other academic activities. All of the spaces within the AIC have wireless networking, and many rooms have digital displays that can be connected to wirelessly.
Janikies Innovation Forum
The forum presents a unique environment that can support a variety of teaching and learning activities. With an overall capacity of 300, it is outfitted with several types of furnishings:
- Tables and chairs that can be moved and rearranged for small group activities, as well as larger events such as town halls, debates, presentations, etc.
- Moveable whiteboards that can be used to create defined areas for collaborative work
Booking the Janikies Innovation Forum
The forum has a booking process that requires Provost review and approach. Please allow for at least 30 days for approval. Use of the forum for course-related activities and other academic events should be planned in advance.
The forum presents a unique environment that can support a variety of teaching and learning activities. With an overall capacity of 300, it is outfitted with several types of furnishings:
- Tables and chairs that can be moved and rearranged for small group activities, as well as larger events such as town halls, debates, presentations, etc.
- Moveable whiteboards that can be used to create defined areas for collaborative work
Booking the Janikies Innovation Forum
The forum has a booking process that requires Provost review and approach. Please allow for at least 30 days for approval. Use of the forum for course-related activities and other academic events should be planned in advance.
AIC Use Policy
The Bryant University Academic Innovation Center is a canvas for innovative teaching. Designed to support activities that relate directly to the academic mission of Bryant University, it is a place to explore how processes, tools and methods can impact the learning process, and to develop new teaching strategies and methods and bring them into the classroom.
AIC spaces are designed to be responsive and flexible to the needs of students and teachers, and users of these spaces are expected to contribute to our exploration of innovative teaching and learning.
AIC spaces are used for:
- Regularly scheduled Bryant University classes and associated activities such as office hours, tutorials, and study sessions
- Individual and group study in classrooms, breakout rooms, and Forum events
- Showcasing of student projects that are associated with undergraduate and graduate courses
- Workshops and other group sessions
- Meetings and activities sponsored by an officially recognized Student Academic Club
The Bryant University Academic Innovation Center is a canvas for innovative teaching. Designed to support activities that relate directly to the academic mission of Bryant University, it is a place to explore how processes, tools and methods can impact the learning process, and to develop new teaching strategies and methods and bring them into the classroom.
AIC spaces are designed to be responsive and flexible to the needs of students and teachers, and users of these spaces are expected to contribute to our exploration of innovative teaching and learning.
AIC spaces are used for:
- Regularly scheduled Bryant University classes and associated activities such as office hours, tutorials, and study sessions
- Individual and group study in classrooms, breakout rooms, and Forum events
- Showcasing of student projects that are associated with undergraduate and graduate courses
- Workshops and other group sessions
- Meetings and activities sponsored by an officially recognized Student Academic Club
AIC Study Rooms
Breakout rooms are available to be scheduled by small groups for study and project activities. These rooms vary in capacity and furniture.
Use & Occupancy Guidelines
- AIC study rooms may only be reserved by Bryant University students
- Study rooms are intended for group study and collaborative work
- Maximum time per booking: 3 hours
- Maximum weekly use: 6 hours
- Unoccupied rooms are available to individuals and smaller groups on a first come, first served basis
Reservations
To reserve a room:
- Login to the AIC Study Room Scheduling System
- Click on available time slot(s)
- Review booking details and click Submit Time Slots when ready
- Authenticate with your Bryant username and password
- Click Submit my Booking to reserve your time slot
- Look out for an email verification
Breakout rooms are available to be scheduled by small groups for study and project activities. These rooms vary in capacity and furniture.
Use & Occupancy Guidelines
- AIC study rooms may only be reserved by Bryant University students
- Study rooms are intended for group study and collaborative work
- Maximum time per booking: 3 hours
- Maximum weekly use: 6 hours
- Unoccupied rooms are available to individuals and smaller groups on a first come, first served basis
Reservations
To reserve a room:
- Login to the AIC Study Room Scheduling System
- Click on available time slot(s)
- Review booking details and click Submit Time Slots when ready
- Authenticate with your Bryant username and password
- Click Submit my Booking to reserve your time slot
- Look out for an email verification