I really love my Wednesdays and i make it a point to spend at least 5 minutes with each of my 40 students during the course of the day.
The way i approach each design assignment is that if a student hands in conceptual design work that shows effort. I will give it the respect and mark it without failing them. 50% is then the lowest mark given for a conceptual design that has gone through a decent cognitive process. For me the love and passion of expression is not garnered when one renders effort worthless. Obviously the effort is directly proportional the mark given. Sometimes students have no work to show, the dog ate it, left on the bus or train. I still drill down into the design concept. I get them to explain the work to me. They need to draw pictures and discuss the design. This scares them more than not doing the design homework. So they simply show up with the design work. Sometimes the mind working in speed mode can come up with the best c9nceptual design ideas. So i allow that approach. Spitballing conceptual design concepts can be the space ideas grow well.
I take this approach with my design class because when i first started teaching in 1994. At another draughting school, which is not in existence today. I phoned a father to tell him his son was not working and handing in any work or projects. The next day the young man came to my class with 2 black eyes and a wired jaw. I spent 2 months watching a young man heal. Sometimes marks and assignments are not as important as individuals and what they might have to deal with on the home front. I now try appeal to the student first and foremost. Only if the student shows great lack of respect do i phone the sponsor paying for the course. Strangely enough the students who sponsor their own studies work very hard. Spoilt students sponsored by others can enjoy a no work holiday.That is an immense challenge when one has a demotivated student. However possible if an educator can reward effort with marks and constructive design input. One can motivate even the most work shy student. Strangely enough showing genuine interest in a person can make a huge difference
In the academy IDT gallery on the link below - im chatting to students and having a wildetecture meeting in the IDT greenroom. The art of shooting the design creative breeze and getting excited about pure conceptual design ideas. Is the passion fuel needed for impetus. Teaching is a medium to keep design passion alive, as much for me, as for the student.
I am immensely proud of all the students who have had to endure my teaching approach. As theyve ventured into the world of work most of them have acheived much greater success than the teacher. That is the best tip of the hat any teacher can hope for.
http://academyidt.co.za/engineering-architecture-draughting/
http://academyidt.co.za/engineering-architecture-draughting/
