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Can a Blended Learning approach help to overcome learning challenges in First Year?
Q1 - Course Choice: What were the main aspects about the course content that attracted you to the BA Interior Design & Furniture course at DIT?
Themes/codes
Employment/Career choice
Interior & Furniture Design
Level 8 Qualification
Interesting modules
Continuous assessment
Design education
Design Tools / Skills (cad etc.)
Observations
Comparison
Explanation
Q2 - Course Choice: What were you looking for when choosing this course?
Themes/codes
Career success
Practical/Creative Focus
Creativity
Design Skills
Practical Skills
4
5
Qualification
Observations
Comparison
Explanation
Q3 - The First Year Learning Experience: Write a brief reflection on the new learning challenges you had to overcome in first year
Themes/codes
Self-directed study
Deadlines
CAD/computer programs
oral presentations
making friends
workload
transition from second level
technical aspects
gaining confidence in design
modules
3
1
Observations
Comparison
Explanation
3
1
1
Q4 (i) - The First Year Learning Experience: Place the following in order of how challenging you found each task when you were learning in first year, with the most challenging at 1 and the least challenging at 5.
List of skills
Technical Drawing
Free-hand Drawing
Sample & Mood-boards
Academic Writing (eg. essays)
AutoCAD
Observations
Comparison
Explanation
Designers tend to be
divergent creative thinkers,
which explains why they find
the convergent technical
task eg. CAD more
challenging. 2nd years found
academic writing equally
challenging. This is probably
because there are nonnationals in the group/ those
for whom English was/is not
a first language.
Q. 4 (ii): Please complete the following: I found ______ the most challenging in first year because: ____________. I found _______ the least challenging in first year because: ___________.
Most Challenging
Technical Drawing
Free-hand Drawing
Sample & Mood-boards
Observations
Results show that the
most challenging are CAD
and Academic Writing.
Comparison
Results show that both
years find CAD the most
challenging. However,
2nd years found
academic writing
equally challenging.
Explanation
Designers tend to be
This can be related to the
divergent creative thinkers, literature on design thinking.
which explains why they find
the convergent technical
task eg. CAD more
challenging. 2nd years found
academic writing equally
challenging. This is probably
because there are nonnationals in the group/ those
for whom English was/is not
a first language.
2
4
Least Challenging
Technical Drawing
Free-hand Drawing
Sample & Mood-boards
Academic Writing (eg. essays)
AutoCAD
1
5
1
2
0
Sample/Moodboards: enjoy it
Sample/Moodboards: easy to do
Sample/Moodboards: did them in a PLC
Sample/Moodboards: primary to the design
Sample/Moodboards: prefer practical activities
4
4
Designers tend to be
This can be related to the
divergent creative thinkers, literature on design thinking.
which explains why they find
the convergent technical
task eg. CAD more
challenging. 2nd years found
academic writing equally
challenging. This is probably
because there are nonnationals in the group/ those
for whom English was/is not
a first language.
Observations
The results show that
the least challenging are
Freehand Drawing and
Sample / Moodboards.
Comparison
Results show that both
1st and 2nd years find
free hand drawing the
least challenging task.
Explanation
as above
Observations
Comparison
The results are similar
for both years.
Explanation
as above
as above
as above
1
1
1
2
1
2
3
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
Observations
Comparison
Explanation
as above
as above
Q5(i) - Convergent and Divergent Thinking: In the diagram above please circle the eight words which most describe the learning processes you would use when you are doing any assignment on the course.
Divergent words
Imagine
Generate
Visualize
Explore
Play with
Fantacize
Combine/integrate
Observations
The most commonly
chosen 'divergent' words,
across both years, to
describe the learning
processes used in an
assignment are:
Visualize, Explore, and
Imagine.
Comparison
The two years show
comparisons in the
words mentioned to
left, but first years also
chose 'combine /
integrate' as a
commonly used thinking
process in the creative
process of designing.
Explanation
The words chosen show
the importance of
visualizing their
concepts and expanding
their minds in the
creative design process.
Engage possibilities
Enhance
Defer Judgement
build on others
Convergent words
Categorize
Decisions
Hone In/Focus
Guidelines
Make sense of
Connect
Reduce
Rate by criteria
Refine
Clarify
Select
4
2
2
2
2nd year responses (8no.)
4
2
2
5
1
Observations
Comparison
Explanation
The words chosen show
the importance of
converging their ideas,
and making final
decisions at the design
synthesis stage of the
process.
1
3
4
Q5(ii) - Convergent and Divergent Thinking: Would you describe yourself as a convergent or divergent thinker?
Thinking Type
Convergent
Divergent
Both
No response
Observations
Comparison
Explanation
Observations
This is a correct
understanding of
convergent thinking.
Comparison
Explanation
Only 2nd years said they As above
were convergent
thinkers.
Observations
Comparison
Explanation
1
2nd year responses (8no.)
Observations
Comparison
Explanation
Correct understanding of No 2nd years chose this Students may not have
realised that they could
being 'both'.
option
Q6 The traits of a good designer: Place the following in order from 1 to 10 indicating which you think is the most important trait of a good designer, with 1 being the most important and 10 being the least.
List of Traits
Artistic Ability
Observations
mostly 5 to 10
Comparison
Explanation
Communication
Eye for Materials
Problem Solving
Technical Skills
Awareness of Audience
Creativity
Team Player
Humility
Vision
Note:
3; 4(x2); 6(x2); 7; 8; 10
3; 6; 7(x2); 8(x2) 9;10
1; 2(x3); 5(x2); 6; 8
1; 2(x3); 3(x2); 5(x2);
1; 2; 4; 5(x2); 6; 10
1(x4); 3(x2); 4; 7
4; 5; 6; 8(x4); 10
4; 7; 9(x3); 10(x3)
1(x2); 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 9
varies
mostly 5 to 10
mostly 1 to 5
mostly 1 to 5
varies
Most Important
mostly 5 to 10
Least Important
mostly 5 to 10
Respondent 8 said: This part of the survey was very difficult theyre hard to choose between.
In your CAD module in first year you were given post-lecture videos (screencasts) via e-mail to look at after class. Please write a brief reflection on how you used the so far in first year.
1st Year Responses (9no.)
2nd year responses (8no.) Observations
Comparison
Explanation
Relation to the literature
Implications for existing theory
2
4
The most common
Results are similar from These results make
This relates to the literature The results can be supported by
1
reasons to use the
both years, with some sense, as the main
on 'screencasts', blended
existing theory, such as Mayer's
1
screencasts are 'to solve individual responses
purpose of te
learning and 'cognitive load'. Theory on Multimedia learning.
4
4
a problem' and to
which tie in to the main screencasts is to help
1
'remember/look back on' themes.
reduce cognitive load
1
2
them if revision required.
for the students.
1
1
1
1
1
1
Q7 (ii) Multimedia Learning: .Do you still refer to the videos often (ie. once a week), sometimes, or never?
Frequency
Often
Sometimes
Never
Observations
Comparison
Explanation
The results show that
the screencasts are
viewed by all
sometimes. This could
be due to time
constraintsand
necessity.
Q7 (iii) Multimedia Learning: Has your opinion changed towards learning CAD software (Autocad, Sketchup, Photoshop, Illustrator) in first / second year, and if so, please say why?
Opinion
yes
no
frustrating/scary at beginning
easier to use/skills improving
use for other modules
technology asset to art/design
more difficult than thought
not as challenging now
can be tricky
sketchup
sketchup easier
1
1
Observations
Comparison
Explanation
Q7 (iv) - Multimedia Learning: Place the following in order of how challenging you found each assignment in the first year CAD module, with the most challenging at 1 and the least challenging at 3 (1st yrs) orImplications
4 (2nd yrs). for existing theory
Assessment Type
Activities 1 to 16
Survey/sketches/tech. dwg
CAD drawing test
Reception Design project
Observations
Comparison
Explanation
Q7 (v) - Multimedia Learning: Are there other modules in which such multimedia tutorials would have helped to overcome new learning challenges, and if so, please say why?
Comment
Don't Think so/Can't think of any
Modelmaking
observational drawing tips
powerpoints are e-mailed
other classes more self directed
sketchup (a module that isn't taught)
works best on computer programs
no response
3
4
1
Observations
Comparison
Explanation
Q7 (vi) - Multimedia Learning: Do you think video screencasts could be a useful presentation format for your own project work in second year and beyond? If so, please say when and why?
Comment
yes
no
don't know
no response
explain projects better
send video by e-mail
verbal presentations overwhelming
doesn't allow public speaking practise
saves paper
help to look through work later
gives the viewer so much more
for nightclub project
2
1
1
1
2
Observations
Comparison
Explanation
If you have any further comments about the screencasts or the learning processes in the first year of the course, please add them here:
Comment
no response
don't know
very useful
natural progression regarding schooling
1
1
Observations
Not enough information
here to use.