As a design instructor it has been a challenge on how to balance the use and the extent of technology in t teaching early designer the essentials of the the design process. I have found that if technology is introduced too early in the process students become very easily "seduced" by the graphic or "pretty pictures" that can be produced quickly and without much depth from critical thinking. I have found greater success by limiting their use of technology during the early phases of the project and make them think through the process with sketches, hand drawings, writings, etc... once… >>>

Being a design instructor has many challenges when trying to assess a student's progress the class. Traditional tests are not applicable to this type of learning experience as it is all projects based that have be assessed on both quantitative and qualitative values. Quantitative values are easier to assess such as completion of requirements, clarity of presentation, neatness of graphics, etc.. Qualitative values are harder to assess as this can be seen as subjective judgement of a student's creative expression in their project. I have have found that producing a graphic matrix of all theses criteria and using a scale… >>>

I have found first day is always an anxious time for both instructors and students. I always try to get the students to loosen up by introducing myself a bit and my history as a design instructor and why I became an architect. Then I ask them to introduce themselves and ask why do they want to study architecture? Many students have common backgrounds or motive and stories on how they got to the class and this helps establish a common ground between all of us as we are all on the same journey and I am their guide more… >>>