The Collaboratory, located in Burk Hall 229, is an innovative, computer mediated classroom equipped with technology that enhances the learning environment.

Outfitted with 20 Macintosh laptop computers configured around a specially designed conference table, the Collaboratory provides the most modern classroom environment on campus for students and teachers to experience real-time collaborative learning with a variety of technology tools. 

For questions or more information please call 415-338-2640 or email Deidre Suber (collaboratory coordinator)

In the Collaboratory, all of the computers are networked to use the latest GroupSystems meeting enhancement software called ThinkTank. (GroupSystems product description) Each person participates in activities designed to capture their ideas, opinions and input anonymously. By creating activities intended to elicit student responses, teachers can use the software to incorporate the students’ perspectives, elicit constructive feedback and help students engage in the learning process.  

Teachers who use the Collaboratory find that they enhance student participation by facilitating anonymous input from 100% of their class. The room design provides a safe and supportive environment for student interaction and encourages open communication from all participants online or offline.

• Explore dynamic interactions with students.
• Encourage all students to participate in discussions.
• Develop students' critical thinking skills.
• Minimize language barriers.
• Teach effective and important communication skills.
• Encourage students to explore alternative problem solutions.

Who is using the Collaboratory?

Faculty members from a variety of disciplines on our campus have developed unique and creative ways to use the Collaboratory to enhance their classes’ learning. Just a few examples of ways professors are using the Collaboratory include:  

For more ideas, you may want to take a look at Models of Excellence (.pdf), a document of Collaboratory case study examples. Additionally, there is more information in the Collaboratory resources section below. When you set up an initial consultation with the Collaboratory Session Coordinator she will work with you to generate more ideas and make the most of the learning opportunities available to you and your students.  

Can the Collaboratory be used for meetings?

Yes, you can reserve the Collaboratory for meetings and conferences.

Meetings in the Collaboratory are focused and effective. In the Collaboratory you will have access to the group meeting software GroupSystems (Product Description) and a technologist to help you use it. The Collaboratory Session Coordinator acts as a consultant to help you design your meeting for maximum effectiveness, so you can get the most out of your meeting time and reach your objectives. During your session, an operator runs the software so you can focus on the content of the meeting and guide your participants through the activities you chose in your pre-session meeting.

Reservations & Availability:

• To check if the room is available:
• Go to: http://power.sfsu.edu/
  • SFSU is using a new calendar and reservation database.
  • Click LOGIN (Create a new user account if you don't have one.)
• Now click on "view events calendar"
• Select month, year, show rooms is BH 229, organizer is ALL ORGANIZERS then click apply settings.
• Click on the date to see what times are available.
• If the room is available, click "create an event" fill out the form.
• When you get to the ROOM REQUEST section, under ADDITIONAL REQUESTS, please specify if you will need the GROUP SYSTEMS SOFTWARE. This will inform us that a presession will be required before your event.
• Only three Collaboratory sessions are permitted for each course.
• Click SUBMIT THIS REQUEST.
• You will be contacted within 3 days with approval or denial of reservations.