BEYOND GRAPHIC EXPRESSION: A DIAGNOSIS ABOUT THE USE OF ICT TEACHING METHODS IN ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE DEGREES

Introduction:
The educational system has focused on the purpose of implementing meaningful learning. This goal is extremely important in the fields of engineering and architecture since higher-order thinking skills are a need. More specifically, these undergraduate students are requested to develop their graphical language and spatial ability, which require a long-learning process to be successful at. In fact, when students access to the university, their lack of these skills deals with demotivation and frustration.
ICT environments has shown to be a factor which motivates students and makes them easier the process of learning in Graphic Design. Moreover, this digital competence is essential for their future jobs.
For these reasons, it is essential to check out if these practices are being implemented in the Higher Education System.

Objective:
The main objective is to find out whether there is any relation between the use of ICT in the degrees of engineering and architecture with the use of ICT in their subjects of Graphic Expression.

Method:
An analysis of the teaching guides was carried out, including every single degree at the University of A Coruna -Spain- which contains any subjects related to Graphic Expression.

Results:
The results indicate that despite the fact of the presence of ICT teaching methods in a similar ratio for all the degrees, there is a clear categorization into two groups with regards to the use of ICT in GE.