Studio Zone: Computer Support for Reflective Design

Abstract

This poster will describe a study of Studio Zone, a web-based learning environment for supporting discussion around visual representations of design, with the goal of fostering critiquing skills. This approach features personal reflection spaces, portfolios, and cognitive scaffolds to support critique. This study presents a comparison of two contexts in which the Studio Zone environment will be integrated: a middle school art class and a graduate level class in educational software design. discussion around visual representations of designed objects, such as painting, architecture, print advertisements, and computer interface designs. The goal of this research is to develop students' ability to create, reflect on, and critique art and design. It is expected that fostering reflection by making thinking visible and encouraging social interaction will be valuable for learning these skills. Three major features of the software support this approach: 1) personal spaces for recording progress on works and reflections, 2) prompts and guiding questions that give students strategies for assessing their own work and responding to the work of others, and 3) opportunities to present and respond to works. Since presenting work and accepting criticism can at times be daunting to students, Studio Zone attempts to foster a studio-like culture in which students feel comfortable and capable of giving feedback in a constructive and supportive way. This study presents a comparison of two contexts in which the Studio Zone environment will be integrated: a middle school art class and a graduate level class in educational software design. Methods The design of Studio Zone aims to improve students' cognitive skills related to design. At the same time, it also aims to facilitate certain practices that are conducive to developing those skills, such as participating in group critiques and seeking help from more skilled peers. To evaluate the effectiveness of these aims, this study focuses on three elements: change in individual students' skills, changes in the classroom culture, and the effectiveness of Studio Zone's design features. Since Studio Zone will be piloted for the first time in this investigation, we expect that certain features will need to be added, revised, or removed as the study progresses. We also expect that the