Blogging update

Please make use of the tabs above. Use the "Admin Q&A" tab for your questions and comments. The other tabs mark separate topics ("pages") as indicated. You can use "pages" on your blog too. Instead of posting/ editing posts, you make/ edit pages. This is a good way to organise your work into sections e.g.: online portfolio, blogging about work, project information etc.

Blogging

Thanks to all you bloggers for doing such a great job! Within the next few days you will notice your blog link appear on the student blog list (in the column on the RH side of the class blog). We will start to follow your individual student blogs. This is how you will know that we saw it. We will also give basic feedback on your blog within the next few days.

Feedback on the "this is me" blog assignment will only appear after the 4 Feb hand in.

Every time you make a new post, and before you select "publish post" please scroll down and tick the dot to allow for reader comments (you will find it under the "post options" tab), unless, of course, you don't want comments:-). However, we would like to comment directly on your blog. But do shout if it is not clear...

Have a great week end and happy blogging!

Block 1 done!

We reached the end of block 1 today - well done! It was great working with you.
We also appreciate your valuable feedback. The following points were made:
POSITIVE
- guest speakers
- group activities
- programme
- site visits
- teaching
- organised, clear
- variety of activities
- comfortable environment
- good communication
- quality lectures
- design workshop
- inspiring
- creating own blog
NEGATIVE
- working long hours
- working on a saturday
- the heat
- speakers in the afternoon
- lack of airconditioning/ ventilation in our building
- too little information on log books
SUGGESTIONS
- sundowner function
- farewell party on the last day
- more interactiv activities
- summarize lectures
- more detailed briefs
- more site visits
- refreshments available to buy/ on request
- more technology (ICT) teaching
- detailed program
- information on what to bring, prior to start of the block
Please add any comments if we left out something, or you want to add...

Major Integrated Project

25 January 2011

ACADEMIC BLOCK 1_ 2ND YEAR ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGY COURSE AT CPUT_INTRODUCTION

The Centre for Multigrade Education ( http://www.cmge.co.za/ )  approached you, on behalf of the principal of St. Michael’s Primary School in Elgin, Mr Davids, to make a proposal to remodel the existing classroom spaces of the school, to support their new multigrade teaching methodology.

The multigrade philosophy involves collaborative learning where learners (of different grades, but in one classroom) learn, not only from their teacher, but also from each other. The communication therefore happens in ways other than the teacher projecting to the learners (in a linear format). The current classrooms are designed for the latter methodology. There’s not enough space to allow for group work, and creating activity areas e.g. a science corner, reading corner, etcetera.

They have the idea to construct a mezzanine level in each classroom to free up the ground plane. But they need your design input to maximize the investment. The intervention must be efficient,  cost effective and sustainable and add to the quality of teaching and learning.

Your visit to the site will allow time to clarify the brief and gather background information. You will make sketches, take photographs, talk to the staff and learners, and gather information on the:

Context_site layout, current building configuration, observe and measure up the current classroom layouts, climate etc.

function_learner behaviour, speak to the teachers and principal, observe the current furniture and equipment etc., and

technology_observe the local vernacular, building methods, list the available resources and possible sponsors etc.

Aim: to create “a school facility that creates a healthy environment that is conducive to learning while saving energy, resources and money.” (Dr Jurie Joubert, 2010)

The learning facilities must support the new learning school pedagogy as designed and implemented by the  multigrade philosophy and methodology – towards implementing the so-called “New Learning Schools”.

__________________________________________________________________________________

This brief is provisional and may change at any time. Please refer to separate project documents for program and detail. Also check the facebook page and subject blog, at least every second day.

"this is me" - tell your story

In architecture studies we learn how to present our work. However, work is not the only area where presentation is important. People see you by the way you dress, which words you speak, the way you wear your hair, your body language, the ringtone of your phone …

We want you to think about the image you (want to) portray, and make a visual presentation thereof. This is your opportunity to present WHO YOU ARE and WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT.

Use bold graphics and cryptic text to describe your likes/ dislikes/ what make you “tick”. You must use at least TEN aspects – see examples of key words below.

You need to post this graphic representation to your blog as a powerpoint, image or a link, or integrate into your blog in some other way.
- Plan the format and the layout to contribute to your message.
- You must incorporate a photo of yourself somewhere, as well as include your name, surname and student number.
- Use colour to contribute to your message.

This project must be submitted online before 12h00 on Friday 4 February 2011. However, your blog must be created, and the your lecturers informed of the blog name or blog link, before 12h00 on Friday 28 January. It will form part of your STW2 portfolio and will count towards your progress mark.

I collect...I define architecture as...my top getaway spot is...I love the smell of...the architect I have my eye on is...my biggest challenge was...my favourite room in my home is...the photograph I love the most is...my passions are...I collect...at the moment I am reading...my best music artist is...I can really relax when...I find inspiration from...I love the sound of...my favourite city is...I like the colour...my favourite food is... I collect...I define architecture as...my top getaway spot is...I love the smell of...the architect I have my eye on is...my biggest challenge was...my favourite room in my home is...the photograph I love the most is...my passions are...I collect...at the moment I am reading...my best music artist is...I can really relax when...I find inspiration from...I love the sound of...my favourite city is ...I like the colour...my favourite food is...I can really relax when...I find inspiration from...I love the sound of...my favourite city...I collect...I define architecture as...my top getaway spot is...I love the smell of..

Welcome to the first online and workshop/design-build second year programme at CPUT!