Professors Get away from the Desk and onto the Podium

They call it Podium, but it hasn't been designed to reward students. It's meant to give teachers the control of every technical feature in the classroom, and hopefully to enhance the learning experience. Enter any new classroom located in the Velodrome building and you'll see it: the old lecturer's desk has been replaced by a workspace which controls three big screens, lights and audio levels, videoconference, even sun drapes. Everything is a click away. Teachers can connect their own computer or use the featured 20" touch pc. Podium is a joint effort of BETA (the Bocconi Education & Teaching Alliance committed to innovation), Academic Affairs Division, Information Systems, Logistics and Infrastructures, library, schools. After a year of testing, it was inaugurated Monday, September 8, in fifteen classrooms, thirteen in the Velodrome, two in the Sarfatti building. For now, it will be used mostly in the first year of Master of Science programs.

The Podium is not just a techno gadget. «It's part of an ecosystem», says Luigi Proserpio, President of BETA. New classrooms are built to go beyond the concept of front lecturing. White boards surround students and chairs can be moved in order to form groups. Lights are strong but not dazzling. The ceiling is soundproof so that students can talk in groups and not annoy their colleagues. In the middle of the room there's a sort of square: teachers and students are invited to share the space. Wi-fi is more powerful than ever and plugs are placed according to the BYOD logic (the acronym stands for Bring Your Own Device). It means that computers, tablets and smartphones are welcomed so that students can send to the Podium their own papers and everybody can see them projected on screen. Yes, Podium is not meant only for teachers. Proserpio believes students to be citizens of the classroom. «Now they can get their hands dirty and learn both knowledge and know how».

Rooms are renovated to encourage active learning. Teachers are given the opportunity to use, and if necessary reconfigure, the room to their liking. Classes are thus going to be more dynamic. Ariela Caglio has tested the Podium last year during her Master of Science in International Management classes. She appreciated «having three screens, so that you can project slides, calculations and websites at the same time. You don't have to choose anymore. It's great to have the chance to draw with a digital pen on the touchscreen: you can underline things and better explain complex Excel worksheets. The message comes in the most effective way. Not to mention that these are beautiful rooms. A good environment encourages learning». The Podium is iconic too: «The old desk evokes a ritual way of teaching. The Podium breaks with tradition». The next step is to give students cloud software and testing has already begun.