Abstract:

The present research looks at teaching/learning methodologies for Architectural Technologies, based on the studio outcome after using the same learning tools with two groups of Year 3 students of Architecture. We should not presume that being at the same stage all students must have achieved the same expertise using various means of expression. Furthermore, we could set out the following question: are the results of a teaching/learning methodology related to the student’s means of conveying his understanding of Architectural Technologies? Thus, this paper investigates the influence of using different learning methodologies on the understanding of Architectural Technologies.

On one week of the course during the academic year 2008/09, two groups of students in the technology studio will explore the same theme through different tools. Half of the students will explore this theme by means of model-making only, and the other half of students will explore it through graphic-expression only. Timber was chosen as the material to use and explore: being this material easy to work with, timber allows the students to sense materiality and establish a close relationship with it.

In order to be able to draw valid conclusions from the study, we will apply the following methodology:

1. The students will complete a multiple-choice test prior to starting the workshop. Answers to this questionnaire will help determining: knowledge or awareness of the student on the material, experience of the student on different means of expression…
2. The students will complete a second multiple-choice test after finishing the workshop. This questionnaire will give information on the process followed by the student: how did the student’s design process begin?, was it supported by other means of expression?...
3. The work will be assessed in terms of success exploring volume-construction and assembly. The achieved results will be related to the tools used by the students.

Once the workshop is completed, and the student work produced by the two groups reviewed, the outcome will expose various issues. How do students react to different learning tools? Does the success of a particular learning method relate to the student’s own means to convey his/her understanding of the subject? This work aims at a better understanding of the learning methodologies when applied to architectural technologies.

Keywords:

teaching methodology in architecture, learning tools, understanding of architectural.