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Tech Upgrades to Transform SFU Learning Spaces
Kailash Srinivasan
Exciting upgrades are coming to SFU's classrooms, bringing new opportunities for enhanced learning and teaching experiences across our campuses. SFU IT is undertaking a Classroom Technology Improvement Update (CTIU) initiative, as part of its commitment to modernizing the university's IT systems and infrastructure and enhancing services to meet current and future demands.
Aligned with What's Next: The SFU Strategy and the SFU IT Plan, Phase 1 of the project is already underway, involving a total of 10 theatre spaces and undergoing comprehensive, full upgrades across Surrey, Vancouver and Burnaby campuses.
The Diamond Family Auditorium (DFA) was completed in December 2024. Spaces such as HC1600, AQ3181 and AQ3182 are scheduled for completion at various points through summer and fall of 2025.
The scope and extent of the upgrades for each room is being assessed by SFU IT. It will consider each space's technological needs, current infrastructure and usage patterns. Comprehensive overhauls may involve completely redesigning the room's technology, while targeted upgrades will focus on updating specific components, such as projectors or screens, while retaining systems like audio equipment.
Depending on the room, you might soon find:
- New podiums for more ergonomic and tech-friendly presentations
- Updated PCs and document cameras for content sharing
- Touch panels and confidence monitors to enhance presenter control and comfort
- Improved projectors and screens for high-quality visuals
- Enhanced audio systems with new speakers and mics
- Video overflow and capture features to support flexible learning models
For students and faculty, this means access to modern technology that will transform how we learn, teach and collaborate.
Images Theatre | C9002| Surrey Campus
Images Theatre in Burnaby has completed significant upgrades, including new video capture capabilities, an upgraded podium, audio enhancements and improved visual technology.
Meanwhile, the Diamond Family Auditorium is being transformed into a versatile swing space, allowing it to be used for various academic needs, including lectures, workshops, and other events.
C9002 classroom in Burnaby has also undergone major upgrades and now features a compact, modern lectern that’s easier to use and takes up less space. The new setup supports access to all modern teaching tools—confidence monitors, touch panels, projector and document cameras, enhacing the teaching and learning experience. The room also has a new podium.
“This summer I am teaching COGS 100 in C 9002 and it is a dream. One thing I particularly appreciate is the confidence monitor. This is something I hadn’t encountered before but I think it improves my presentation quality. The audio system has also worked seamlessly. I teach large classes regularly and having reliable and user-friendly AV systems makes a difference to my experience as an instructor and helps me to make my courses more accessible and engaging for the students," says Margaret Grant, Lecturer, Linguistics and Cognitive Science.
BURNABY CAMPUS (C9002) - BEFORE
AFTER
Surrey Campus-Before
Before the upgrade, the classroom couldn’t make full use of the large screen and wasn't able to support hybrid teaching or video capture.
After
After the upgrade, the room now features a new podium, touch panels, confidence monitor, cinema projector, speakers and a more compact lectern. Instructors can choose between screen sizes, connect their own devices and use built-in cameras and microphones for hybrid classes. The room also supports video overflow, capture and full 7.1 surround sound.
Surrey Campus-Before
Surrey Campus-After
"Having a fully functional, modern classroom has made a big difference. The new AV system is reliable and being able to switch between inputs and screen sizes gives me more flexibility in how I teach," says Garry Mund, Senior Lecturer, Department of Chemistry.
Phase 2 progress
Phase 2 is currently underway with upgrades to aging components in 20 teaching spaces, all located in Burnaby. These targeted upgrades aim to address frequently used touchpoints, improving flexibility in scheduling and familiarity with the environment for instructors and students.
As SFU IT continues to improve and modernize the university IT infrastructure and services, the community will receive regular updates on the CTIU project, including timelines for specific room upgrades and any temporary changes to classroom availability.
For more information, contact Angela Chong at angelachong@sfu.ca.