‘Stream and Learn’: An Experiment to Reconnect Design Students with Theoretical Contents during the Pandemic

Abstract

As most GenZ and Millenial students now study at home, young people have shifted their media content consumption, with streaming platforms being among GenZ and Millenials favorites since the first lockdown. Could ‘Netflix and chill’ be turned into a creative learning activity for design students? As theoretical online learning is often associated with unliteral conference calls with no participation from students, we propose an experiment where joining an activity related to relaxation or even procrastination is the basis for a group assignment for design students. We will first address the curricular unit itself and how the pandemic ensued a new organisation around a specific assignment to motivate students on a multidisciplinary level by exhibiting their work online. We will then assess the results obtained in a satisfaction inquiry of the design students (N=70). Results show that online theoretic learning can incorporate multidisciplinary content and interactivity through existing platforms.

Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Students’ Written Outcomes: An Interior Architecture Research/Theory Module Case Study in the UK

“…Nevertheless, previous studies showed converting the design studio is not a simple copy-paste task; there are several failed examples, and conversion requires the collaboration of all parties and rigorous hard work over several years [4]. Furthermore, in other design disciplines (e.g., fashion) researchers revealed good results for ODD methods in research/theory modules during the pandemic [18,33]. Online Design and Delivery comes with its shortcomings: Miller and Lu [10] point out the need for intentional and well-informed change in order to respect and protect intellectual knowledge, integrity and knowledge capacity and the management of HE while embedding ODD into F2F.…”

“…The BOL and BL methods in online research/theory modules have not been investigated as much as design studio modules in design education. Urban design [18] and fashion [33] disciplines reported positive changes in their T and L for research/theory modules with ODD. Peimani and Kamalipour [18] analysed their delivery before and after migration to online platforms due to the pandemic and the effects of BOL on T and L and concluded that challenging a fixed pedagogical framework is important for HE.…”

“…Peimani and Kamalipour [18] analysed their delivery before and after migration to online platforms due to the pandemic and the effects of BOL on T and L and concluded that challenging a fixed pedagogical framework is important for HE. Fernandes [33] focused on Millennials and GenZ-digital natives as defined by Prensky [6]-and aimed to integrate online group work as an innovative and productive assignment for a theoretical fashion module where they recorded positive effects on students. Online Design and Delivery offers many benefits, and previous studies show its positive effects on design/architecture disciplines.…”