Teaching-Learning Process of Architecture Workshops in Virtual Environments Based on Research-Action Methodology

Nataly Revelo Morales,Ramiro Rosón Mesa,Julio Oleas Rueda,Vinicio Velásquez Zambrano,Álvaro Guzmán Rodríguez,Felipe Castillo Mafla

doi:10.5539/jel.v11n1p11

Abstract

In the School of Architecture at the Pontificia Universidad Cat&oacute;lica del Ecuador, we are continuously reflecting on the teaching-learning process in order to offer the best education. The COVID-19 pandemic brings different changes in social, health, work and educative practices, which people have had to adapt to. These new conditions have shifted the perception of life and society, so it has demanded a new perspective to solve problems and meet the challenges that have arisen. It has happened with education, in which all stakeholders have been working to face and manage the educational practice in a virtual modality. Based on teaching experience, the present research is focused on the teaching-learning process in Architecture, considering design workshops during the first years of the major. The purpose of this paper, which uses an action research methodology, is to explore those changes that come about from this process in virtual environments. In this way, understanding architecture&rsquo;s teaching and practice through virtual environments can generate an important impact that can transform the perspective on education in this field in the present and in the future.

Highlights

In early 2020, universities in Ecuador and in several countries around the world moved to fully virtual classes because of the COVID-19 pandemic
The context of the pandemic has generated new challenges for architecture teaching which can be addressed through an action research methodology
This methodology allows for an understanding of the acquisition of architecture concepts such as sustainability or architectural design (Kowaltowski et al, 2019), the development of collaborative research for the study of architectural design (Caldwell et al, 2016) or the use of virtual reality for spatial design in architecture (Nisha, 2019)

Summary

Introduction

In early 2020, universities in Ecuador and in several countries around the world moved to fully virtual classes because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The context of the pandemic has generated new challenges for architecture teaching which can be addressed through an action research methodology. AR has been used in several areas of higher education, especially to comprehend in depth a phenomenon that has no documented experiences. This methodology allows for an understanding of the acquisition of architecture concepts such as sustainability or architectural design (Kowaltowski et al, 2019), the development of collaborative research for the study of architectural design (Caldwell et al, 2016) or the use of virtual reality for spatial design in architecture (Nisha, 2019)

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