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Atelier-D:
Achieving Transformation, Enhanced Learning and Innovation through
Educational Resources in Design
Overview
This two-year project engages seven academic staff plus assistant
and steering group in the construction of a virtual atelier that combines
well-established practice in art and design education with new opportunities
presented by ICT to create a powerful new approach to learning and
teaching design. It is founded on the delivery of three core Open
University design
courses (at Levels 1, 2 and 3) and their integration in a new
design programme. The project will use OpenLearn,
the Open University’s open content initiative plus other elements
of the VLE and Web 2.0 tools.
Aims
and Objectives
Aims:
- To transform design
curriculum delivery at the OU, which already has significant elements
of distance teaching and learning through technology
- To enhance the design
learning of all students registered on the selected courses
- To innovate in a wider
arena by sharing course and programme developments with other higher
education institutions (HEIs) involved in design education
Objectives:
- To demonstrate how
a virtual atelier might support distance learning and teaching in
design at the OU
- To explore the potential
of various virtual atelier tools and to define what skills these
lead to
- To engage in dialogue
with business and other HEIs to enhance the relevance of the student
experience and to demonstrate wider applications for outputs
Project
methodology
Year 1 activities focus on innovations to the delivery of the core
design courses at Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 each of which explores
aspects of the virtual atelier. These are here referred to as ‘course
delivery innovations’ (CDIs). Work will explore
how students can achieve existing course learning outcomes and what
new learning outcomes might be possible through these CDIs. Year 2
activities build on the CDIs and focus on the design programme. Work
will explore how technology can support the integration of these courses
so that students achieve the programme learning outcomes plus identify
what new learning outcomes might be desirable. Thus Year 2 creates
and evaluates ‘programme
delivery innovations’ (PDIs).
Anticipated
outputs and outcomes
- A review of current
models and mechanisms of delivery in design curricula
- Descriptions of virtual
atelier tools
- An evaluation of the
effectiveness of learning outputs and of student and staff engagement
- A series of case studies
on curriculum delivery innovations
- Recommendations for
the implementation of course delivery mechanisms in other HEIs through
working with the steering group and other interested stakeholders
- Dissemination of CDIs
including a second year project conference
- Evaluation of the programme
learning outcomes
- A final report detailing
how a virtual atelier can support distance learning and teaching
in design
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