What is TILE?
The University of Iowa offers TILE (Transform, Interact, Learn, Engage), a program designed to promote student engagement in active learning classrooms. TILE classrooms support a variety of layouts and can accommodate up to 81 students, with features such as flexible seating, whiteboards or glass boards, and Solstice wireless sharing technology that encourage students’ active participation.
TILE is more than technology. It is a teaching approach that fosters collaboration and works especially well with strategies such as team-based learning. Instructors receive support from both teaching and technology experts.
To teach in a TILE classroom, instructors must complete a consultation with experts from the Center for Teaching and ITS OTLT-Learning Spaces Technology.
Request a TILE Consultation
We offer small-group TILE consultations throughout the semester, as well as individual consultations by request.
To join a small-group consultation, email the TILE Program at tile@uiowa.edu, so we can reserve your spot. Small-group TILE consultation sessions (50-minutes):
- Friday, Feb. 13, 2:30–3:20 PM — VAN 350
- Friday, Feb. 27, 12:00–12:50 PM — SH 40
- Thursday, March 12, 8:30–9:20 AM — LC N150
- Wednesday, April 1, 2:30–3:20 PM — LIB 1022
- Friday, April 17, 1:00–1:50 PM — SH 40
If the scheduled sessions above don’t work for you or you’d like to explore a different TILE classroom, email tile@uiowa.edu. Include 2-3 typical times during the week (e.g., Thursdays 1-3 pm) for a 50-minute consultation. You may also specify a TILE classroom you’d like to see. Please allow at least two weeks’ notice for scheduling.
TILE Guide on ICON
The TILE guide on ICON has support and resources for those new to teaching in TILE as well as experienced TILE instructors, including sample lesson plans, course design resources, and upcoming TILE events.
After You're TILE Enabled
Because TILE classrooms often have full schedules in the fall and spring semesters, individual consultations may sometimes include other instructors with similar interests or availability. If you prefer a private session, let us know, and we’ll do our best to accommodate this. We also offer group consultations for departments, teams, or colleagues who want to participate together.
After we receive your email, a staff member will follow up to confirm the details. Consultations bring together dual expertise: a Center for Teaching staff member will help you explore pedagogy, while an ITS-OTLT Learning Spaces Technology staff member will discuss room technology with you. Please come prepared to discuss your course activities as we brainstorm how TILE classroom features can help you support student learning.
After You're TILE Enabled
After the consultation, you will be TILE enabled and can request TILE rooms for your courses through the Office of the Registrar. Please consult with your department administrators to reserve classrooms.
The Center for Teaching offers additional consultations on course design, assessment, supporting TAs in TILE, and other topics at any time, while the ITS-OTLT Learning Spaces Team is always happy to assist with classroom technology.
Additional TILE Resources
The Office of Teaching, Learning, and Technology and University Classrooms offer technology and classroom support for TILE.
Technology Support
OTLT's Learning Spaces Technology group provides A/V consulting, management, and support for 25 technology-equipped TILE learning spaces across campus.
TILE Classrooms
University Classrooms has details about the variety of TILE classrooms across campus, which range in capacity from 21 to 81 students and offer multiple different features and configurations.