Approaching Islamic architecture heritage studies through problem based learning
This paper deals with an innovation of approaching Islamic Architectural Heritage through an educational learning approach named Problem Based Learning (PBL). The Department of Architecture (DoA), in Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design (KAED), of International Islamic University Ma...
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| Format: | Conference or Workshop Item |
| Language: | English |
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2010
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| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/22681/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/22681/1/Approaching_Islamic_Architecture_Heritage.pdf |
| Summary: | This paper deals with an innovation of approaching Islamic Architectural Heritage through an
educational learning approach named Problem Based Learning (PBL). The Department of Architecture
(DoA), in Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design (KAED), of International Islamic
University Malaysia (IIUM), has implemented the so-called Problem Based Learning in one of its core
courses, named AAR 3201: Heritage Studies. Although PBL has not been thoroughly discussed in
numerous forums, seminar, and conferences of architectural education through out the world, yet this
approach has always been unconsciously implemented in learning and teaching of architecture. Similarly
in DoA, this theoretical educational approach was not discussed when the process of developing the
course was carried out, yet recent analysis on the course shows the existence of PBL essence in learning
and teaching process of the course. The implementation of PBL educational approach has proven to
effectively develop students’ independency in learning, and enhance their proficiency in understanding
Islamic Architectural Heritage. Students are also found to appreciate Islamic Architectural Heritage better
through this PBL educational approach as compared to learning the subject in traditional way of listening
to lectures. This course of Islamic Architectural Heritage requires students to initially choose old
buildings with heritage quality to be measured and researched for the purpose of producing
comprehensive documentation of the buildings and their history, in the format of report, construction
drawings, presentation drawings, architectural model, miniature artefact, digital multimedia documents
etc. After buildings are identified, students are expected to have field work of measuring the buildings,
and researching for historical and constructional background of the buildings. Based on students and
lecturers feedback, the experiential and practical qualities of PBL approach implemented in this Heritage
Studies course have effectively thought students to gather knowledge of Islamic Architectural Heritage
better than theoretically teaching them via lectures in history of architecture classes. Indeed, more and
more theoretical courses in architectural education should be implemented using Problem Based Learning
educational approach to enhance students’ competencies in becoming talented architects. |
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