Abstract:

This paper presents video-conferencing as a viable delivery method for advanced graduate level courses in architectural curricula. Architectural programs have been resistant to adopt eLearning platforms in favor of traditional face-to-face delivery, but the rise of specialized topics in architectural technologies calls for modes of delivery that enable inter-institutional course enrollment and collaboration.

The focus of this paper is a case study for an advanced structures course taught by faculty at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago, USA and Hanyang University in Seoul, South Korea. The course has been taught for four years by the first author. Architecture students from IIT and Hanyang University are simultaneously enrolled. The course has a blended delivery format conducted through synchronous video-conferencing. Typically, half of the students attend the class face-to-face in the same classroom as the facilitator, while the other half attend the class as a group through video-conferencing. Facilitators have led the course from both Chicago and Seoul.

This paper will also assess-video conferencing as a delivery mode. The advantages of synchronous video-conferencing over less immediate interactions will be reviewed. The technical and cultural challenges with the blended delivery method where groups of students attend virtually in satellite locations will also be addressed. Recommendations will be made for future implementation of video-conferencing in the classroom.

Keywords:

video-conferencing, curriculum, architecture, structures, blended delivery, synchronous, satellite, interactive.