A paradigm shift in studio pedagogy during pandemic times: An international perspective on challenges and opportunities teaching design online | Intellect Skip to content
1981
Design Education: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
  • ISSN: 2055-2106
  • E-ISSN: 2055-2114

Abstract

This study advances the debate over the role of technology-enhanced teaching in the practice-based design studio. Framed by the exigencies of the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, a detailed survey and follow-up interviews illuminate the transformative experiences among 90 experienced design educators from seven countries. At the heart of this study is the question: where did design educators succeed in trying to approximate a physical studio using online technologies and where did technology-enhanced teaching fall short? Content analysis of qualitative data and reflective remarks provide a window into what educators see as the concrete pedagogical challenges and opportunities they have encountered. Their responses are analysed using the four major characteristics of the practice-based design studio: dialogical learning, the critique, studio culture and studio class size. The results clearly demonstrate that the social aspects of the physical studio with its informal learning opportunities are difficult to replicate online and dialogical learning could not be effectively established online unless classes were smaller. There were also positive responses, particularly using online collaboration platforms for online critiques. Design educators can now prototype a new studio pedagogy that incorporates online elements that potentially enhance the learning and teaching experience in the physical design studio, while rejecting those that do not work for their domain.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1386/dbs_00042_1
2022-12-22
2024-05-01
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Ahmad, L.,, Sosa, M., and Musfy, K.. ( 2020;), ‘ Interior design teaching methodology during the global COVID-19 pandemic. ’, Interiority, 3:2, pp. 16384.
    [Google Scholar]
  2. Bazeley, P.. ( 2004;), ‘ Issues in mixing qualitative and quantitative approaches to research. ’, in R. Buber,, J. Gadner, and L. Richards. (eds), Applying Qualitative Methods to Marketing Management Research, London:: Palgrave Macmillan;, pp. 14156.
    [Google Scholar]
  3. Blair, B.. ( 2006;), ‘ At the end of a huge crit in the summer, it was “crap”: I’d worked really hard but all she said was “fine” and I was gutted. ’, Art, Design & Communication in Higher Education, 5:2, pp. 8395.
    [Google Scholar]
  4. Blythman, M.,, Orr, S., and Blair, B.. ( 2007), Critiquing the Crit, final report no. LTR – 021007, Brighton:: University of Brighton, School of Art, Design and Media;, www.academia.edu/586074/Critiquing_the_Crit. Accessed 22 June 2022.
    [Google Scholar]
  5. Braun, V., and Clarke, V.. ( 2006;), ‘ Using thematic analysis in psychology. ’, Research in Psychology, 3:2, pp. 77101.
    [Google Scholar]
  6. Broadfoot, O., and Bennett, R.. ( 2003;), ‘ Design studios: Online? Comparing traditional face-to-face design studio education with modern Internet-based design studios. ’, in Apple University Consortium Academic and Developers Conference Proceedings, Adelaide, South Australia, 28 September–1 October 2003, Frenchs Forest:: Apple University Consortium;, pp. 921.
    [Google Scholar]
  7. Brown, J. B.. ( 2021;), ‘ Making the studio smaller. ’, Design and Technology Education: An International Journal, 26:4, pp. 25668.
    [Google Scholar]
  8. Chamorro-Koc, M., and Kurimasuriyar, A.. ( 2020;), ‘ Insights from studio teaching practices in a creative industries faculty in Australia. ’, Arts and Humanities in Higher Education, 19:2, pp. 17285.
    [Google Scholar]
  9. Corazzo, J., and Gharib, L.. ( 2021;), ‘ Everyday routines and material practices in the design studio: Why informal pedagogy matters. ’, Design and Technology Education: An International Journal, 26:4, pp. 14464.
    [Google Scholar]
  10. Crowther, P.. ( 2013;), ‘ Understanding the signature pedagogy of the design studio and the opportunities for its technological enhancement. ’, Journal of Learning Design, 6:3, pp. 1828.
    [Google Scholar]
  11. Daniel, R., and Fleischmann, K.. ( 2014;), ‘ Designing a learning space for creativity and collaboration: From studio to computer lab in design education. ’, in C. Nygaard,, J. Branch,, L. Scott-Webber, and P. Bartholomew. (eds), Learning Spaces in Higher Education, Oxford:: Libri Publishing;, pp. 4558.
    [Google Scholar]
  12. Danvers, J.. ( 2003;), ‘ Towards a radical pedagogy: Provisional notes on learning and teaching in art & design. ’, International Journal of Art and Design Education, 22:1, pp. 4757.
    [Google Scholar]
  13. Day, P.. ( 2013;), ‘ The art group crit: How do you make a firing squad less scary?. ’, Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, 5, pp. 115.
    [Google Scholar]
  14. Desai, S.,, Stahl, I., and Chamorro-Koc, M.. ( 2021;), ‘ Global design studio: Advancing cross-disciplinary experiential education during the COVID-19 pandemic. ’, Design and Technology Education: An International Journal, 26:4, pp. 16581.
    [Google Scholar]
  15. Dreamson, N.. ( 2020;), ‘ Online design education: Meta-connective pedagogy. ’, iJADE, 39:3, pp. 48397.
    [Google Scholar]
  16. Ellmers, G.. ( 2006;), ‘ Reflection and graphic design pedagogy: Developing a reflective framework to enhance learning in a graphic design tertiary environment. ’, in S. Baker, and S. Fereday. (eds), ACUADS 2006, Melbourne, Australia, 27–29 September 2006, Melbourne:: Monash University;, pp. 110.
    [Google Scholar]
  17. Filimowicz, M. A., and Tzankova, V. K.. ( 2017;), ‘ Creative making, large lectures, and social media: Breaking with tradition in art and design education. ’, Arts and Humanities in Higher Education, 16:2, pp. 15672.
    [Google Scholar]
  18. Fleischmann, K.. ( 2012;), ‘ Industry-driven design education: How much should market/industry dictate pedagogy?. ’, in G. Muratovski. (ed.), agIdeas Research: Design for Business, Melbourne:: agIdeas Press;, pp. 7695.
    [Google Scholar]
  19. Fleischmann, K.. ( 2015;), ‘ Democratisation of design and design learning: How do we educate the next-generation designer. ’, International Journal of Arts & Sciences, 8:6, pp. 10108.
    [Google Scholar]
  20. Fleischmann, K.. ( 2016;), ‘ Peer assessment: A learning opportunity for students in the creative arts. ’, in C. Nygaard,, J. Branch, and P. Bartholomew. (eds), Assessing Learning in Higher Education, Oxford:: Libri Publishing;, pp. 4558.
    [Google Scholar]
  21. Fleischmann, K.. ( 2018;), ‘ Hype or help? Technology-enhanced learning in the design classroom: An experiment in online design collaboration. ’, International Journal of Arts & Sciences, 11:1, pp. 33141.
    [Google Scholar]
  22. Fleischmann, K.. ( 2019;), ‘ De l’enseignement pratique en studio à l’enseignement en ligne: peut-on enseigner le design en ligne?. ’ (‘From studio practice to online design education: Can we teach design online?’), Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology, 41:1, pp. 119.
    [Google Scholar]
  23. Fleischmann, K.. ( 2020a;), ‘ Online design education: Searching for a middle ground. ’, Arts and Humanities in Higher Education, 19:1, pp. 3657.
    [Google Scholar]
  24. Fleischmann, K.. ( 2020b;), ‘ The online pandemic in design courses: Design higher education in digital isolation. ’, in L. Naumovska. (ed.), The Impact of COVID19 On the International Education System, London:: Proud Pen;, pp. 116.
    [Google Scholar]
  25. Fleischmann, K.. ( 2021a;), ‘ Hands-on versus virtual: Reshaping the design classroom with blended learning. ’, Arts and Humanities in Higher Education, 20:1, pp. 87112.
    [Google Scholar]
  26. Fleischmann, K.. ( 2021b;), ‘ Is the design studio dead?: An international perspective on the changing shape of the physical studio across design domains. ’, Design and Technology Education: An International Journal, 26:4, pp. 11229.
    [Google Scholar]
  27. Fleischmann, K., and Daniel, R.. ( 2010;), ‘ Enhancing employability through the use of real-life scenarios in digital media design education. ’, in E. Errington. (ed.), Preparing Graduates for the Professions Using Scenario-Based Learning, Mt Gravatt:: PostPress;, pp. 8596.
    [Google Scholar]
  28. Galletta, A., and Cross, W. E.. ( 2013), Mastering the Semi-structured Interview and Beyond: From Research Design to Analysis and Publication, New York:: New York University Press;.
    [Google Scholar]
  29. Hart, J.,, Zamenopoulos, T., and Garner, S.. ( 2011;), ‘ The learningscape of a virtual design atelier. ’, Compass: The Journal of Learning and Teaching at the University of Greenwich, 3, pp. 115.
    [Google Scholar]
  30. Hepburn, L. A., and Borthwick, M.. ( 2021;), ‘ Synchronicity in the online design studio: A study of two cases. ’, Design and Technology Education: An International Journal, 26:4, pp. 8695.
    [Google Scholar]
  31. Hettithanthri, U., and Hansen, P.. ( 2022;), ‘ Design studio practice in the context of architectural education: A narrative literature review. ’, International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 32:4, pp. 234364.
    [Google Scholar]
  32. Ioannou, O.. ( 2018;), ‘ Opening up design studio education using blended and networked formats. ’, International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 17:47, pp. 116.
    [Google Scholar]
  33. Johnson, B., and Christensen, L.. ( 2008), Educational Research: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Approaches, Los Angeles, CA:: SAGE Publications, Inc;.
    [Google Scholar]
  34. Jones, D.. ( 2021;), ‘ Reflection: Making little things visible. ’, Design and Technology Education: An International Journal, 26:1, pp. 811.
    [Google Scholar]
  35. Jones, D., and Lotz, N.. ( 2021;), ‘ Design education: Teaching in crisis. ’, Design and Technology Education: An International Journal, 26:4, pp. 49.
    [Google Scholar]
  36. Jones, D.,, Lotz, N., and Holden, G.. ( 2021;), ‘ A longitudinal study of virtual design studio (VDS) use in STEM distance design education. ’, International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 31:4, pp. 83965.
    [Google Scholar]
  37. Kaushik, V., and Walsh, A.. ( 2019;), ‘ Pragmatism as a research paradigm and its implications for social work research. ’, Social Sciences, 8:255, pp. 117.
    [Google Scholar]
  38. King, N.. ( 2004;), ‘ Chapter 21: Using templates in the thematic analysis of text. ’, in C. Cassell, and G. Symon. (eds), Essential Guide to Methods in Organizational Research, London:: SAGE Publications Ltd;, pp. 25670.
    [Google Scholar]
  39. Klebsedel, H., and Kornetsky, L.. ( 2009;), ‘ Critique as signature pedagogy in the arts. ’, in R. Gurung,, N. Chick, and A. Haynie. (eds), Exploring Signature Pedagogies: Approaches to Teaching Disciplinary Habits of Mind, Sterling, VA:: Stylus;, pp. 99120.
    [Google Scholar]
  40. Kolb, D.. ( 1984), Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development, Englewood Cliffs, NJ:: Prentice-Hall;.
    [Google Scholar]
  41. Kvale, S.. ( 2007), Doing Interviews, London:: Sage Publications;.
    [Google Scholar]
  42. Legg, C., and Hookway, C.. ( 2020;), ‘ Pragmatism. ’, in E. N. Zalta. (ed.), Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2021/entries/pragmatism/. Accessed 22 June 2022.
    [Google Scholar]
  43. Lehtonen, M.,, Khamisani, N., and Gatto, G.. ( 2021;), ‘ Playful absence/absence of play: Rethinking the design studio in online environments. ’, Design and Technology Education: An International Journal, 26:4, pp. 2136.
    [Google Scholar]
  44. Lotz, N.,, Jones, D., and Holden, G.. ( 2015;), ‘ Social engagement in online design pedagogies. ’, LearnxDesign 3rd International Conference for Design Education Researchers, Aalto University, 28–30 June, http://oro.open.ac.uk/43592/. Accessed 22 June 2022.
    [Google Scholar]
  45. Marshalsey, L., and Sclater, M.. ( 2018;), ‘ Critical perspectives of technology-enhanced learning in relation to specialist communication design studio education within the UK and Australia. ’, Research in Comparative & International Education, 13:1, pp. 92116.
    [Google Scholar]
  46. Marshalsey, L., and Sclater, M.. ( 2020;), ‘ Together but apart: Creating and supporting online learning communities in an era of distributed studio education. ’, International Journal of Art and Design Education, 39:4, pp. 82640.
    [Google Scholar]
  47. McLain, M.. ( 2022;), ‘ Towards a signature pedagogy for design and technology education: A literature review. ’, International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 32:3, pp. 162948.
    [Google Scholar]
  48. Mohammed, M.. ( 2017;), ‘ Blended e-learning in the architectural design studio: An experimental model. ’, International Journal of Parallel, Emergent and Distributed Systems, 32:sup1, pp. 7381.
    [Google Scholar]
  49. Morgan, D. L.. ( 2014;), ‘ Pragmatism as a paradigm for social research. ’, Qualitative Inquiry, 20:8, pp. 104553.
    [Google Scholar]
  50. Morkel, J.. ( 2011;), ‘ The social dimension of studio space: Face-to-face and beyond: Exploring the online learner experience. ’, Sixth International DEFSA Conference, Johannesburg, South Africa, 7–8 September.
    [Google Scholar]
  51. Morse, J. M., and Niehaus, L.. ( 2009), Mixed Method Design: Principles and Procedures, Walnut Creek, CA:: Left Coast;.
    [Google Scholar]
  52. Park, J. Y.. ( 2011;), ‘ Design education online: Learning delivery and evaluation. ’, International Journal of Art & Design Education, 30:2, pp. 2233.
    [Google Scholar]
  53. Poggenpohl, S. H.. ( 2012;), ‘ Envisioning a future design education: An introduction. ’, Visible Language, 46:1&2, pp. 819.
    [Google Scholar]
  54. Punch, K.. ( 2009), Introduction to Research Methods in Education, London:: Sage;.
    [Google Scholar]
  55. Saghafi, M. R.,, Franz, J., and Crowther, P.. ( 2012;), ‘ Perceptions of physical versus virtual design studio education. ’, International Journal of Architectural Research, 6:1, pp. 622.
    [Google Scholar]
  56. Şalgamcıoğlu, B. K., and Gen, İ.. ( 2021;), ‘ The ones who have never been physically in a studio: Myths and hacks of first year basic design students in the pandemic. ’, Design and Technology Education: An International Journal, 26:4, pp. 13043.
    [Google Scholar]
  57. Sandbach, K.. ( 2011;), ‘ Graphic design and the aesthetics of place. ’, International Research Conference: agIdeas Design for Business and Industry, Melbourne, 2 May.
    [Google Scholar]
  58. Schön, D.. ( 1987), Educating the Reflective Practitioner, San Francisco, CA:: Jossey-Bass;.
    [Google Scholar]
  59. Schrand, T., and Eliason, J.. ( 2012;), ‘ Feedback practices and signature pedagogies: What can the liberal arts learn from the design critique?. ’, Teaching in Higher Education, 17:1, pp. 5162.
    [Google Scholar]
  60. Shreeve, A.. ( 2011;), ‘ The way we were? Signature pedagogies under threat. ’, in E. Bohemia,, B. Mozota, and L. Collina. (eds), Researching Design Education: 1st International Symposium for Design Education Researchers, Paris:: CUMULUS;, pp. 11225.
    [Google Scholar]
  61. Shreeve, A.,, Sims, E., and Trowler, P.. ( 2010;), ‘ “A kind of exchange”: Learning from art and design teaching. ’, Higher Education Research & Development, 29:2, pp. 12538.
    [Google Scholar]
  62. Shulman, L. S.. ( 2005;), ‘ Signature pedagogies in the professions. ’, Daedalus, 134:3, pp. 5259.
    [Google Scholar]
  63. Spruce, J.,, Thomas, P., and Moriarty, S.. ( 2021;), ‘ From sharing screens to sharing spaces. ’, Design and Technology Education: An International Journal, 26:4, pp. 96111.
    [Google Scholar]
  64. STP ( 2009;), Curriculum Development in Studio Teaching. , STP final report, Kensington:: UNSW Studio Teaching Project;, https://ltr.edu.au/resources/STP%20Report%20Vol%201.pdf. Accessed 22 June 2022.
    [Google Scholar]
  65. Teddlie, C., and Tashakkori, A.. ( 2009), Foundations of Mixed Methods Research: Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches in the Social and Behaviorial Sciences, Los Angeles, CA:: SAGE;.
    [Google Scholar]
  66. Tessier, V., and Aubry-Boyer, M.-P.. ( 2021;), ‘ Turbulence in crit assessment: From the design workshop to online learning. ’, Design and Technology Education: An International Journal, 26:4, pp. 8695.
    [Google Scholar]
  67. Thody, A.. ( 2006), Writing and Presenting Research, Thousand Oaks, CA:: SAGE Publications Ltd;.
    [Google Scholar]
  68. Thompson, J.,, Tregloan, K.,, Soccio, P., and Song, H.. ( 2021;), ‘ Dual delivery design studios: Exploring design learning for hybrid cohorts. ’, Design and Technology Education: An International Journal, 26:4, pp. 22838.
    [Google Scholar]
  69. Wragg, N.. ( 2020;), ‘ Online communication design education: The importance of the social environment. ’, Studies in Higher Education, 45:11, pp. 228797.
    [Google Scholar]
  70. Wrighta, A., and Grovera, R.. ( 2020), National Design Studio Survey: Findings, Bath:: Bath University;, https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/publications/national-design-studio-survey(7dbdf0cc-a865-4b67-b0e4-77bbd4232b70).html. Accessed 22 June 2022.
    [Google Scholar]
  71. Wrigley, C., and Mosely, G.. ( 2022), Design Thinking Pedagogy: Facilitating Innovation and Impact in Tertiary Education, London:: Routledge;.
    [Google Scholar]
  72. Wrigley, C.,, Mosely, G., and Tomitsch, M.. ( 2018;), ‘ Design thinking education: A comparison of massive open online courses. ’, She Ji: The Journal of Design, Economics, and Innovation, 4:3, pp. 27592.
    [Google Scholar]
  73. Yorgancıoğlu, D.. ( 2020;), ‘ Critical reflections on the surface, pedagogical and epistemological features of the design studio under the “new normal” conditions. ’, Journal of Design Studio, 2:1, pp. 2536.
    [Google Scholar]
  74. Fleischmann, Katja. ( 2022;), ‘ A paradigm shift in studio pedagogy during pandemic times: An international perspective on challenges and opportunities teaching design online. ’, Journal of Design, Business & Society, 8:2, pp. 24772, https://doi.org/10.1386/dbs_00042_1
    [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.1386/dbs_00042_1
Loading
/content/journals/10.1386/dbs_00042_1
Loading

Data & Media loading...

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a success
Invalid data
An error occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error