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COVID-19 responsive teaching of undergraduate architecture programs in India: learnings for post-pandemic education

Anurag Varma (Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur, India)
Mohammad Shoeb Jafri (Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur, India)

Archnet-IJAR

ISSN: 2631-6862

Article publication date: 3 December 2020

Issue publication date: 30 March 2021

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to have an overview of how Indian institutions offering undergraduate architecture programs have responded to the pandemic situation. It seeks to appraise the alternative approaches adopted for teaching-learning, communication, assignment and evaluation and assess their effectiveness for progressive improvisations or integration with pedagogy. The paper articulates a view on the suitability of online teaching for architecture education in India, on basis of educators' experiences of teaching during the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted for obtaining primary data from the educators given the paucity of information. The questions elicited structured information on aspects of the transition process, IT/online platform and tools, the efficacy of online teaching-learning and trajectory of blended learning.

Findings

All institutions managed the transition to online teaching without much difficulty. However, the paper raises the need for professional training and feedback from students. One-third of the respondents express satisfaction with online teaching, despite low satisfaction about the effectiveness of online teaching of a design studio. The results convey the need for more engagement with digital tools and representational software on integrated platforms. The study finds consensus on the future potential of blended learning and advocates developing an integrated framework and curriculum for architecture education in India.

Originality/value

The paper synthesizes viewpoints on online teaching-learning of architecture program in wake of the pandemic from an educators' perspective. The emergent perspectives are viewed dialogically in context of global voices to articulate a future trajectory of blended learning in the domain of architecture education.

Keywords

Citation

Varma, A. and Jafri, M.S. (2021), "COVID-19 responsive teaching of undergraduate architecture programs in India: learnings for post-pandemic education", Archnet-IJAR, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 189-202. https://doi.org/10.1108/ARCH-10-2020-0234

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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