Strategic thinking on the redesign of a foundational caad course: Towards comprehensive training on digital design

Abstract

The paper describes a new implementation of an existing course on digital design and its contribution to the curriculum of the undergraduate pre-professional architecture program at Ball State University. The strategic thinking behind the re-design of this course reflects not only the need to update its content to reflect the state-of-the art in the domain but also responds to a diversified context that exhibitschanging trends due to digital culture, use of digital media in learning and practice, and educational policy. The paper elaborates on these larger contextual elements and describes the new instructional methods implemented through a modular framework of assignments and a multi-layered delivery system. The paper concludes with a series of recommendations for the future improvement, constant assessment, and further development of the digital design course.