Abstract:

With the application of the new Bologna Plan in the Architecture Superior Technical School of Madrid during the present academic year, a new teaching program has been introduced. Together with the compulsory subjects, this new program has offered the possibility of taking a workshop during the first semester, chosen by students among a range of workshops offered by the different Departments of the School and related to the compulsory subjects studied.
The Department of Mathematics applied to Building, Environment and Town Planning has offered a workshop of Applied Computing in which computing programs suitable and essential for the future development of the career are studied with mathematical accuracy.
A new feature has been the study of Applied Statistics and its computing use by means of the program “Statgraphics”, a calculus instrument applicable to studies of Probability and Statistics, so necessary at present in urban and environmental analysis or analyses of any other kind.
While carrying out the workshop, a need of providing some basic Statistical previous knowledge was found, so that students could use the computing program skillfully and with solid criteria. This is due to the fact that this specific area of Mathematics is dealt with little depth in the present programs of Mathematics in Secondary Education leading to Technical careers in our country.
One of the aims and achievements of the workshop has been the participation of other Departments in the School, which has revealed the interrelationship of activities related to Architecture and the clear support that these programs offer to their development and improvement.
Throughout the teaching period devoted to the study of Statistics, its possible applications to the analysis of different aspects connected to Architecture and the possibilities of Statgraphics Program, two Departments have actively participated: Applied Physics and Building Department, with the special collaboration of the Materials Lab. The outstanding importance of the results obtained in both experiences as well as the need to share them was remarked. This is a common practice in important projects, which contributes to a better understanding of the analyzed topic.

Keywords:

Workshop of Applied Computing, Innovation in Education.