Online Conference on
Learning and Teaching with Technology
in Art Design and Communication
DeL Online 2009: Presenters
Georgina Holden, Theodore Zamenopoulos, Nicole Schadewitz
Creating an online design atelier
Abstract
There has been considerable interest and research in the design of learning and teaching environments but to what extent does this knowledge enable us to create suitable environments for the teaching and learning of design? This paper will consider the opportunities for new ways of teaching and learning design offered by Web2 technologies, outlining the JISC-funded AtelierD project at the Open University (OU). This project takes its learning and teaching cues from the notion of the ‘Atelier’ and applies these to the development of online design communities. The atelier concept facilitates the combination of well-established practice in art and design education with the affordances of Web 2.0 tools to create a powerful new approach to learning and teaching design.
A team of academic staff are engaged on the two year, AtelierD project, to explore the use of a number of web2 tools and evaluate their potential for widespread use in design teaching. The second year of the project will see the use of an integrated virtual atelier, OpenDesign Studio, which is to be used on a new online course in Design Thinking, launching in February 2010, and expected to have over 1000 students in its first year.
In this paper the authors will discuss the preliminary findings from the first year of the project , in which discreet elements of the atelier have been trialed with students to inform and shape their development. These elements include commercial resources such as Facebook and SecondLife as well as in-house, but publicly available resources such as the knowledge mapping software ‘Compendium’ and FM conferencing. The authors will also discuss the thinking behind ‘OpenDesign Studio’ and the ways in which it will be used by learners taking the new course.
The paper addresses the topics of Virtual Learning Environments in Art Design and Communication, Innovations in teaching and learning in Art, Design and Communication and The Social and Educational Interface.
Key words
Virtual Studio, Atelier, Web2, Design
Theme
The Virtual Atelier
Presentation
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Georgina Holden
Georgina Holden has taught design at the Open University for more than 20 years playing a key role in developing elearning resources and pedagogies for their effective use. She is currently project manager and a researcher on the JISC funded AtelierD project, examining the transformation of curriculum delivery through the use of Web2 technologies.
Georgina Holden
Lecturer
Department of Design, Development, Environment and Materials
The Open University
UK
Email: g.m.holden@open.ac.uk
Theodore Zamenopoulos
Theodore Zamenopoulos
Lecturer
Department of Design, Development, Environment and Materials
The Open University
UK
Email: t.zamenopoulos@open.ac.uk
Nicole Schadewitz
Nicole Schadewitz
Lecturer
Department of Design, Development, Environment and Materials
The Open University
UK
Email: n.schadewitz@open.ac.uk
