The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s new Dean 104 Culture Lab unveiled this spring offers an innovative classroom space that is revolutionizing the learning experience for students and faculty alike. This semester, eight courses and 165 students are being taught in the newly transformed classroom. Courses range from political science to women, gender and sexuality studies, all aiming to foster a classroom community built through student collaboration in a unique learning environment.
Among the first to capitalize on the new space is Lisette Flanary, a professor in the School of Cinematic Arts. Flanary has integrated the Dean 104 Culture Lab into her CINE 405 class, an advanced course in documentary production for juniors and seniors.
“The new space has ignited a palpable enthusiasm among my CINE 405 students, fostering not only heightened engagement but also a surge in creativity,” Flanary said. “The collaborative nature of the environment, with features like movable furniture, writable glass walls, and a large touchscreen for viewing and critiquing our student films, has truly elevated their learning experience.”
Flanary’s class meets once a week for three hours, and delves deep into the intricacies of the documentary process, covering everything from research and story structure to shooting techniques and editing. With the introduction of the Dean Culture Lab, her students have found themselves immersed in an environment conducive to creativity and collaboration.
It’s perfect for creative media classes and we’ve been making really good use of every part of the classroom!
—Aria Kaneshige
“It’s about being comfortable and having lots of space for everybody to support collaboration and creativity,” said senior Alexandra Sullivan, who is in Flanaryʻs class. “The spinning chairs are great for our generation and it definitely feels like it was made for us!”
“It’s been really fun being in here, it’s perfect for creative media classes and we’ve been making really good use of every part of the classroom!” said fellow senior Aria Kaneshige, a cinematic arts and dance major.
Flanary encourages her colleagues, especially those engaged in cultural practices, to explore the possibilities offered by the Dean 104 Culture Lab. She attests to the noticeable difference in student engagement and creativity since incorporating the space into her teaching, which has also included the Sakamaki Hall Innovation Zone and Webster 101 Collaborative Classroom.
Designed to be a learning base for courses that promote deep reflection on cultural concepts, practices and knowledge, the culture lab is conceptually grounded in the history of Mānoa valley, with features that make it a unique space where sense of place invites students to be conscious of the cultural context surrounding the UH Mānoa campus.
Dedication to providing innovative classrooms
“The Dean 104 Culture Lab stands as a testament to the university’s commitment to innovation in education, providing students with an inspiring environment to cultivate their talents and passions,” said Laura Lyons, interim vice provost for academic excellence.
While there are no new classroom projects in the pipeline currently, the university is eager to increase the number and diversity of collaborative classrooms in the upcoming academic years. Many faculty who have taught in Dean 104 this spring have also expressed their appreciation for Dean 104 and have submitted course proposals to teach in the room again in the fall.
“Each semester, the aim is to make the rooms available to as many teachers as possible, with a dedication to keeping innovative classrooms as a core service at the center for elevating teaching and learning at Mānoa,” said Hazel Gedikli, faculty specialist in the Center for Teaching Excellence who was responsible for introducing the space to new faculty this semester.
