Atelier-D

Visual Analysis of ODS Using Gephi

Social Object Analysis

We are in the process of anylsing OpenDesignStudio in terms of students comments, views and favorite images to try and find any 'interesting findings'.  The data is large and complex as it is not just a social network it is based around images objects - which adds a third dimention.   We are working with Tony Hirst who is experimenting with the data using Gephi. 

You can view the first in a series of post here: Gephi Bits 1: Commnets on Social Objects in a Closed Community

Evaluative questions

I thought about following:
What have we learned about how students learn design(ing) over a distance?

What have we learned about how Web 2.0 technologies support design learning over a distance?

What aspects of learning in a collocated design studio can be/cannot be found online and how do they support/restrict the students’ learning in design over a distance?

What new aspects/ practices /theories of design learning can be identified in online learning environments in comparison to collocated design studio learning?

Probably there should also be a question about the design programme.

Atelier-D project evaluation: Some questions

I start with the assumption that design learning is a constructive, socially situated, and reflective process and for that reason technology-enabled distance design education should support this kind of learning, drawing on the traditional 'design studio' learning process but also adding new values. Based on this assumption, I think that there are different 'types' of evaluation questions that we need to consider in order to monitor both the research process & progress but also the research outcomes of the project: 
 
Feasibility evaluation questions
- Can Web 2.0 technologies recreate some fundamental aspects of a design studio such as social learning, peer to peer learning or peer to peer assessment? 
- Can Web 2.0 technologies enable the creation of social groupings? 
 
 
Quality evaluation questions
- Did the technologies used have an effect on the size and function of social networks and learning groups created?
- Did the technologies used have an effect on learning satisfaction?
- Did the technologies used effect the performance of students? (for instance study effects on lower achievers vs highly motivated students)   
 
 
Research process evaluation questions
- Has the proposed use of Web2.0 technologies in design teaching attracted the attention of students? How many?
- What type of students responded positively to our call for participation in this project?
- Did the students devote more time for the study and completion of their projects when using the proposed technologies?
- Have any students dropped out and why?