Open AccessREFLECTIVE OBSERVATIONS ON THE DESIGN AND STUDIO ART PROGRAMME AT A UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Author(s) -
Lebogang Nthejane,
AUTHOR_ID
Publication year - 2021
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Conference proceedings
DOI - 10.36315/2021end047
Subject(s) - studio , numeracy , curriculum , mathematics education , computer science , mathematics , pedagogy , psychology , literacy , telecommunications
The Central University of Technology (CUT) in South Africa compels that all programmes without a Mathematics module to offer Numeracy to first-year students. Initially, the Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at CUT was requested to facilitate this module from 2014 within the first semester. However, Numeracy was offered in a general manner without considering the applicability to the Design and Studio Art programme. The aim of this study was to revise the current curriculum and modify it to be applicable to the Design and Studio Art programme. Thus, the objectives of this study were firstly, to identify the gap in the current curriculum, which related to mathematical concepts within the Numeracy module which seemed to be not applicable to this programme. Secondly, to identify the mathematical concepts within the Numeracy module that could possibly be applicable to this Programme and modify them, accordingly. These concepts were identified as geometry, ratios and proportions, scale drawings, grid system, units and conversions. The final objective of this study related to the teaching of these concepts into the programme. The purpose of this paper report on the reflective observations on the revision and modification of the curriculum, more specifically on the application of these concepts in the Drawing module of the Design and Studio Art programme. A qualitative research approach was employed through reflective observations by the lecturer in the drawing lesson of 38 students who were enrolled on this programme. An analysis was further done on students’ abilities to apply mathematical concepts in their drawing project and what they have learnt in the Numeracy module. Findings revealed students’ abilities to apply mathematical concepts with ease- this after the lecturer explained the relations amongst these concepts to drawing. It appeared as though this intervention benefited mostly the students who were struggling with drawing. A key recommendation is that the application of the stated mathematical concepts be practiced in other modules within the Design and Studio Art programme at CUT.