The purpose of this study is to describe and refine good educational practice when using the studio-based learning method for digital design teams.
Software design and engineering in industry is increasingly studio-centred. Digital enterprises have adopted many of the elements of studio-based design or the purpose of organizing and managing software design teams.
This study describes and analyses instances where studio-based learning has been adapted for use in teaching software design and management on selected classes. The goal is to prepare lecturers for the studio teaching method.
Teaching reflexivity will also be analysed; to the extent that industry informs teaching in terms of content and methods, and teaching influences industry in terms of the learning experiences that new graduates bring into organisations.
Approaches and practices employed for the studio-based learning method for teaching also contrast in interesting ways with its use in industry; sharing some aspects while diverging in others.
Research Design
This is a qualitative research design employing interpretive and observational research methods.
It will experiment with differing approaches to studio method, arrangement, protocols, tools, and assessment.
The study employs longitudinal capture of learning episodes as they occur in addition to recording participant reflections (staff and student).
Participants take part in standard educational practices in their capacity/role as students attending a studio-based learning class/workshop.
We adopt a duty of care to inform participants, make participants aware that data will be identifiable but cannot be de-identified. They have the right to not participate without any penalty and that there is no penalty or disadvantage for not participating.
Participant candidates are provided with an information sheet before collecting data. Volunteer participants sign and date consent/video/audio release form.
To avoid conflict of interest between researcher/lecturer role and relationship with students another member of staff will act as gatekeeper between researcher/lecturer and students, e.g. another UCD staff (e.g. other member of faculty or head of subject area) to approach the students about the study and seek consent, stressing that non-participation will have no effect on their grades on this or any other module.
Methods of data collection
Participants will be recruited from taught modules that use the studio method for teaching or in workshops (e.g. MIS41020, MIS41000 and MIS4850) offered by the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business.
Participants elect to sign and date consent and video/audio release form.
Data collection includes:
Standard educational practices. Observation of lectures, evidence from studios, gathering class feedback.
Interviews or focus groups
Audio/video recordings of student participation and interviews.
Examples of data to be gathered include: observational notes, photographs, video and audio recordings; recordings of instances of participants working collaboratively in groups on project work, presentations being performed. Images of work samples, ephemera and design artefacts. Recordings of student reflections or interviews.
REERN: HS-E-17-112-Higgins
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| Project information sheet |
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| Consent form |
