Has anyone figured out how to teach foundation design in the age of COVID19? Or how to teach simple drawing through the flat screen? I haven't.
It is challenging to conduct the design studio online, although less problematic for advanced students, it is mighty difficult for year one. Particularly when the students have not yet been through the studio ritual. Naturally, this year's AEP became a pilot case for this pedagogic problem.
One of the most important things we realized is the need to establish common ground/ condition between the two sides of the screen. For us, this came in the form of downloadable templates. By printing and working with the templates, there are shared point of departure to work and communicate with. Whether it is scaled human figures, foldable 3d paper, measurable grid, or otherwise, this thread ensures a physical connection between the tutors and the students. From that perspective, we have done one thing right so far.
A few other notable lessons. To conduct teaching-learning reminiscent of the "old-school" there need to be 3 platforms of exchange: 1) A means to present the project, a software in the likes of Zoom; 2) A means to showcase the work so peers and colleagues can pop in and out of the galleries so to cultivate a sense of community/ ethos/ cohort within the school; 3) A means of discussing the problem (or work in progress) interactively and freely.
By far, the 3rd point is the most difficult to reconcile with. Nothing beats sitting next to the students to discuss problems and ideas and making doodles (and noodles?) along the way.
There is more to learn and new boundaries to cross. We are in the making of a new normal.