Sacred Heart to build interactive learning center

Sacred Heart University announced plans Wednesday to build an interactive learning center at it’s new academic building on Jefferson Street and Park Avenue in Fairfield.

The building will feature an active trading floor, two TV studios, a screening venue and an amphitheater-style forum,  in addition to classrooms, conference rooms and lounges.

In support of the building, Elaine and Christopher K. McLeod have also donated $500,000 to establish the McLeod Center for Interactive Learning to provide additional hands-on learning opportunities for students. Studies show students learn more when involved in their own learning strategies. Thus, the center will house opportunities to do undergraduate research, global learning, service learning and courses that are either writing intensive or involve experiential learning.

“People learn in many different ways,” said Christopher McLeod, a Board of Trustees member. “Traditional instructional methods have emphasized textbooks and classroom lectures. Digital technologies are now removing geographic and time barriers, enabling exciting new educational approaches.”

“Elaine and I are very interested in improving the learning experience through new teaching methods and approaches,” he added. “Sacred Heart has an ideal environment for developing innovative pedagogy, and we are excited to support the establishment of this Center.”