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Title

A task-based approach to global design education

Author(s)

Wodehouse, Andrew;  Breslin, Caroline;  Farrugia, Philip;  Grierson, Hilary;  Ion, William;  Sonalkar, Neeraj;  de Vere, Ian

Abstract

This paper provides a new perspective for managing and delivering a global design class, and a clear alternative to the traditional joint project for participating institutes. The 'task-based approach' used to structure a Global Design class at the University of Strathclyde is described. This entailed the creation of a series of short design exercises to be run in conjunction with three partner institutions: the University of Malta in Msida, Malta; Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia; and Stanford University in Palo Alto, USA. These exercises focussed on specific aspects of distributed working, including synchronous working, asynchronous working and digital library support, according to the location and facilities afforded by each institution. This provides a number of pedagogical and organisation benefits. Students are required to take a more strategic approach to their design work, developing a higher evaluative understanding of the tools and processes required to produce a successful design. Staff members have a greater level of control afforded by a shared collaborative class component, including assessment, timetabling and learning objectives, rather than simply having a joint project. This potentially makes global design classes a more flexible and viable option for institutions interested in participating in such programmes.

Publication type

Conference paper

Research centre

Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Design

Source

Proceedings of New Perspectives in Design Education: the 10th Engineering and Product Design Education Conference, Barcelona, Spain, 4-5 September 2008

Publication year

2008

Keyword(s)

Collaborative design;  Colleges;  Design education;  Distributed working;  Flexible learning;  Global design project;  Industrial design;  Stanford University;  Swinburne University of Technology;  Task-based approach;  Universities;  University of Malta;  University of Strathclyde

Publisher

Institute of Design Engineers

Publisher URL

http://www.epde08.org/

Additional information

The authors gratefully acknowledge the participation of staff and students involved in the classes across the institutions involved. The class was partly supported by the Digital Libraries for Distributed Innovative Design Education and Teamwork (DIDET) collaboration between the University of Strathclyde and Stanford University.

Full text

Peer reviewed