A Focus on Pedagogy

Abstract

Mathematics is a fundamental tool for logical, methodical and systematic reasoning, essential in the development of thought and, within the scope of this paper, of creation and art. The STEAM approach to education uses Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics to guide the students’ research, dialogue and critical thinking with application in the most diverse areas, well beyond physics and engineering that were considered the great domains of mathematics applications.
In addition to the basic training in Mathematics that is given to students in the 1st cycle at the Lisbon School of Architecture students in the courses of Architecture and its specializations (Architecture, Urbanism and Interiors Architecture) also have a component concerning the organization of thought and information using flowcharts for the production of master’s dissertations/final projects rich in case studies and with a lot of artistic creativity – at the level of the 2nd cycle. At the level of the 3rd cycle, there is a component more directed towards information management with regard to the development of research that will culminate in the PhD thesis and which may involve the construction of inquiries, survey forms or other types of data collection. There is an awareness of the need to define the object of study and the characteristics that involve this study in order to allow statistical tools to be useful for the analyzes to be implemented and for the decisions to be informed and rigorous. This article analyzes the impact that the concepts taught had on the dissertations produced by students in the 2nd and 3rd cycle of studies.