Teaching Beyond the Curriculum
Abstract
Rapid technological developments have enabled design education to be integrated with new learning technologies, and recent global events have further accelerated its transition to a compulsory and widely-applied online education. In this regard, creating virtual learning environments for the sake of experimental and experiential reasons, now turned into compulsory mediums. Recent pedagogical engagement with online education offers a new field for in-depth research. Until recently, studies on virtual/digital design education remain focused on technical and administrative issues. Structured in accordance with the following assumptions a game-based second year architectural design studio was devised and implemented as an experiment. • The physical studio is a learning environment rather than a teaching environment where peer-learning potentials are enhanced and actively integrated into the learning process. Hence, the operational role of the teacher is transformed by the change of learning environment while they become responsible for facilitating and coordinating the online exchange as well. • A new connective pedagogy is introduced where all the actors only meet online – amidst the absence of a physical environment. • A new pedagogy, one that aims to tackle emerging issues while enhancing peer-learning, facilitating better means of connectivity and team spirit. • Due to its similarities and high-level compatibility in their parts and processes, a game-based pedagogy for studio learning is introduced to enable educators to engage with pedagogical concerns emerging from the compulsory status of online learning in a digitally networked world. Hence this assumption becomes essential in the design of the experimental studio approach where game-based strategies were implemented.
Mehmet Sarper Takkeci, who received his BA in Architecture (2008) and his MA in Architectural Design (2011), from Istanbul Technical University, is currently working on his Ph.D. at the same university. He has been continuing his architectural practice within Herkes İçin Mimarlık since 2011. After working as a full and part-time lecturer in an architectural project studio, digital media and design courses at Okan University, Abdullah Gül University, Altınbaş University, Bilgi University, Kadir Has University, he is teaching at Istinye University, Department of Architecture.
Prof. Erdem received her BSc, MSc and PhD degrees in Architecture at Istanbul Technical University in 1983, 1985 and 1995 respectively. Between 1991-1992 she pursued academic studies at UCLA_GSAUP as a visiting scholar. Prof. Erdem started her academic career at ITU Faculty of Architecture in December 1988 as a teaching/research assistant. During her career at ITU, she was appointed as assistant professor, associate professor and professor of architecture in 1997, 1999 and 2009 respectively. She also served as the Head of Department of Architecture between 2012-2013. In 2015 she became the Dean of Faculty of Architecture at Abdullah Gül University where she served until 2017. She was employed by KHAS University in 2017 and served as Vice Rector and Dean of the Faculty of Art and Design. Her research interests include design education, computational design thinking and interdisciplinary strategies of design practice and education.