The Larner Classroom celebrated its grand opening November 5, 2014 with a gathering in the new space and remarks from several University of Vermont College of Medicine officials. Also on-hand were family members of Robert Larner, M.D.’42, the alumnus whose $1 million gift made the classroom possible.

Located at the front of the Dana Medical Library, the 2,820-square-foot classroom accommodates 120 students with flexibility for both small- and large-group functions. UVM College of Medicine Technology Services Director Jill Jemison says special features include a “state-of-the-art gigabit wireless system” with the capacity to support accounts from the College of Medicine, UVM or Fletcher Allen; nine display monitors and an AirMedia system that allows individuals to wirelessly connect to a projector to share content on one or all screens; and “advanced sound masking and audio design to support team interaction and reporting.” The classroom gives the active and team-based learning already happening at the College of Medicine a more fitting home with cutting-edge technological support, says William Jeffries, Ph.D., senior associate dean for medical education.

Data show that active learning “enhances understanding and recall” in part by asking students to go beyond memorizing information.  “We want our students to use higher levels of learning,” he says, “and apply information and knowledge.”

The Larner Classroom puts student teams at the center of the learning environment, allowing students to develop – and faculty to evaluate – communication skills and professionalism, two of the core competencies in the Vermont Integrated Curriculum. As opposed to a lecture hall with stationary chairs and tiered seating, students can work as teams in small groups at tables around the room, and easily transition to instruction as a larger group when necessary.

Since all tables and chairs are on wheels, and the room configuration can easily change, the Larner Classroom accommodates simulation exercises that require different stations, as well as advanced cardiac life support training and a variety of interprofessional education activities.

The Larner Classroom is the beginning of a larger project to transform the Dana Medical Library into a Health Sciences Learning Commons, a dynamic, integrated learning environment that leverages new technology.

Construction on the classroom began in May, and continued throughout the summer. Larner and his wife, Helen, have a long history of philanthropy when it comes to medical education at the College. They are the benefactors of the Larner Medical Education Center, and funded the purchase of Harvey manikins for the UVM/Fletcher Allen Health Care Clinical Simulation Laboratory. They also created the Larner Endowment and Student Loan Fund, which provides support for academically strong and financially needy medical students at the College.