Kristiania University College

Kristiania University, located in Oslo and Bergen, Norway, is a prestigious institution known for its commitment to high-quality education and research. Offering a diverse range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, the university fosters an innovative learning environment with a strong focus on interdisciplinary collaboration. Its modern campuses provide students with access to cutting-edge facilities and a vibrant academic community. Kristiania University emphasizes global engagement, sustainability, and practical skills, preparing students for leadership roles in an ever-evolving global landscape.

Kristiania University has significantly enhanced its learning environments by introducing two cutting-edge active learning classrooms. Developed in partnership with WolfVision, these innovative teaching spaces are designed to foster collaborative learning and enhance student engagement.
 

Six years ago, Kristiania‘s pedagogical and technical teams, led by Benedicte Røer Blom, Manager of the Pedagogic Department, and Trond Sørli, Teaching Technology Senior Advisor, began exploring the potential of active learning classrooms. Although they found limited European research on the subject, they were inspired by successful examples from North America and Australia, where active learning environments had been successfully integrated into higher education.

Faced with rising student numbers and the growing need to modernize teaching methods, Kristiania initially piloted an active learning classroom in an older building. They began with a room equipped with eight workstations, powered by a WolfVision’s Cynap Pro and Cynap Core Pro systems. This pilot demonstrated the potential of a purpose-built end-to-end solution, leading the team to shift from considering ad-hoc setups to investing in technology specifically designed for active learning.
 

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Kristiania saw a surge in student enrollment, accelerating their need for large-capacity active learning spaces. After a positive evaluation of their pilot room, the university expanded the concept by installing WolfVision’s vSolution MATRIX system in two large classrooms in their new building in central Oslo. These rooms accommodate up to 120 students each, enabling collaborative, technology-enhanced learning.

“We wanted to bring a large number of students together in one active learning space where they could collaborate on workstations. WolfVision’s system makes managing such large classrooms much easier,” said Benedicte Røer Blom.

The vSolution MATRIX system allows teachers to manage large groups of students effectively, providing real-time oversight into student activity via a touchscreen interface. Teachers can monitor all student workstations, ensuring active participation, even in these large, tiered auditoriums. Each room is equipped with 20 workstations, allowing students to collaborate in small groups. The system includes microphones and wired or wireless content-sharing capabilities, enabling seamless sharing of work within the wider group. Each room is also equipped with a VZ-2.UHD Visualizer system which enables ‘live’ content materials to be displayed onscreen during classroom sessions.

Additionally, WolfVision’s vSolution COMPOSER, a dual-screen content management system, is integral to the setup, allowing teachers additional control over the room’s audiovisual experience. The system enables multi-source content to be easily controlled, and displayed on the two main display screens in the room, further enhancing the classroom’s interactive environment.

When not in use for scheduled classes, students also use the rooms for independent group work, maximizing the usage and value of these learning spaces.

Initially teachers were invited to workshops to familiarise themselves with the new systems. An online toolkit was provided, outlining different pedagogical activities that could be performed in the rooms, and prior to the start of lessons, additional in-room technology training was provided to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for teachers using the rooms.
 

The new active learning classrooms have transformed teaching and learning across multiple disciplines. The flexible design encourages students to collaborate, engage in problem-solving, and share ideas, reflecting the teamwork skills they will need in their professional lives. Kristiania is already receiving positive feedback, particularly from teachers who are rethinking their course materials and adjusting their teaching strategies to make the most of these new spaces.

The technology not only enhances student interaction but also supports teachers by providing an intuitive platform for managing large, dynamic classes.
“We needed these big classrooms, and the WolfVision system has enabled us to do this,” said Trond Sørli. “Teachers can now monitor and manage student activity more effectively using WolfVision’s vSolution MATRIX and vSolution COMPOSER, which allows content to be shared across multiple screens and gives teachers full control over the room’s audiovisual experience.”

Although the university is not currently offering hybrid synchronous learning in these classrooms, there is potential for future expansion. With a dedicated Wi-Fi network already in place, the classrooms could easily be adapted for remote teaching between campuses, such as between Oslo and Bergen, enhancing flexibility for students and faculty.

Kristiania University College’s investment in active learning classrooms underscores its commitment to innovative, student-centred teaching. By partnering with WolfVision, the university has created modern, versatile learning environments that encourage collaboration and prepare students for real-world challenges. These classrooms are not just spaces for learning — they are hubs of interaction, problem-solving, and teamwork, embodying the university’s mission to blend academic learning with practical, work-related experiences.