Curriculum development in studio teaching

Project Information

Year Funded:2007
Grant (ex GST):$201,563
Project Status:Completed
Project Reference:GI7-636
Program:General Investigations
Project Discipline:ARCHITECTURE AND BUILDING - Architecture and Urban Environment, CREATIVE ARTS - Graphic and Design Studies, CREATIVE ARTS - Visual Arts and Crafts
Project Keywords:Architecture, Art, Assessment, Atelier, Design, Environment, Feedback, Industry, Outcomes, Practice, Practitioner, Profession, Studio

Lead Institution

The University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales

Partner Institutions

RMIT University, The University of Queensland, University of Tasmania

Project Team

Associate Professor Robert Zehner (Project Leader), Mr Graham Forsyth

Project Findings

The project aimed to provide key data on the nature, extent and structure of studio teaching across the higher education sector in Australia, and to develop a structural  understanding of the challenges facing this  form of teaching. It investigated models of good practice in teaching, feedback and assessment in the studio, and provided benchmark statements for studio teaching. Deliverables included: (1) description of studio teaching in architecture, art and design; (2) criteria for measurement of effective student outcomes; and (3) description of effective studio teaching practices and curriculum in terms of student learning outcomes. The project held a 2009 forum on education practice for studio teachers, and produced an online resource toolkit to inform and reinvigorate practice that includes: (a) best/good practice indicator; (b) roles of teacher/practitioner, student, industry/profession; (c) checklist for designing a learning environment; (d) analysis/commentary on assessment/feedback approaches; and (e) learning environment evaluation criteria.

Resources

Curriculum development in studio teaching

Associate Professor Robert Zehner, Dr Graham Forsyth, Elizabeth Musgrave, Douglas Neale, Associate Professor Barbara de la Harpe, Dr Fiona Peterson, Noel Frankham, Stephanie Wilson, Karin Watson
The University of New South Wales
2010
The University of New South Wales
RMIT, UQ, UTAS
Final Report, Cover Download Document (3.98 MB)
Final Report, Volume 1 Download Document (1.19 MB)
Final Report, Volume 2 Download Document (1.25 MB)
Final Report, Volume 3 Download Document (453.85 KB)
Final Report, Volume 4 Download Document (9.33 MB)

Studio Teaching Toolkit

Associate Professor Robert Zehner, Dr Graham Forsyth, Elizabeth Musgrave, Douglas Neale, Associate Professor Barbara de la Harpe, Dr Fiona Peterson, Noel Frankham, Stephanie Wilson, Karin Watson
The University of New South Wales
2010
The University of New South Wales
RMIT, UQ, UTAS

An excellent informative and helpful description of, and guide to studio practice with particular reference to art architecture and design and broader application to studio practice in dance, music and drama. The resource will be of interest to design and problem solving disciplines such as engineering and computer science.

Volume One: STP Final Report of the Studio Teaching Toolkit are particularly useful for teachers and learners, Heads of School, Deans of Faculties, Facilities Management personnel and tertiary providers considering the review or introduction of new art and/or design courses. The value of these materials lies in the descriptions of the nature and defining characteristics of studio practice, the elucidation of the conditions and modes that lead to effective learning outcomes and effective methods of assessment and feedback for studio practice.

The Studio Teaching Toolkit applies the findings contained in the three reports (Volumes1 to 3) and case studies (Volume 4) into concise and practical information arranged into six sections: Using the toolkit; What is Studio; Effective Strategies; Assessment and Feedback; Student Experience; Case Studies.

Part six of Volume One (pp 93--100) provides a succinct description of the project and the four fundamental questions the project explored. Along with the Executive Summary (pp v-ix) and Recommendations (pp x-xii) users, and in particular teachers of art and design, should refer to the Studio Teaching Toolkit http://studioteaching.org/ for practical and concise resource materials.

Contained in the Effective Strategies section of the Studio Teaching Toolkit are 10 benchmark statements for effective studio practice relating to issues of culture, mode, program and space. These ten statements are particularly useful for courses and unit/subject level review and quality assurance processes.

Studio Teaching Project: Four Reports

Associate Professor Robert Zehner, Dr Graham Forsyth, Elizabeth Musgrave, Douglas Neale, Associate Professor Barbara de la Harpe, Dr Fiona Peterson, Noel Frankham, Stephanie Wilson, Karin Watson
The University of New South Wales
2010
The University of New South Wales
RMIT, UQ, UTAS

The information on this project's page was updated 2 September, 2011.