ONLINE LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR INTEGRATED MULTIDISCIPLINARY COURSE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Integrated Multidisciplinary Project at the Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design (KAED), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), generally requires students to solve relevant real problems related to the built environment. The course presents a short-term architectural development project to a cohort of students from various programmes of the Built Environment to tackle these challenges with innovative and creative solutions. The course is conducted annually as a face-to-face workshop-based activity, but during the Movement Control Order (MCO) for COVID-19, the course runs online. Transitioning to online learning can be challenging for architecture and design students as the lack of a physical studio environment limits intensive design discussion. The course requires students to work in groups to produce the design solutions for the multidisciplinary project. Therefore, this paper investigates online studios' learning experiences and challenges for Integrated Multidisciplinary Projects during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative method of research was adopted for the short study. The experiences were investigated by reviewing students works and conducting a semi-structured interview with the project leaders. The findings of the study point to a range of difficulties and advantages of online studio sessions. The overall online students' performance, although positive, was lacking in physical cues. The online interaction technical limitations also hindered in-depth practical design discussion. Students expressed satisfaction with their learning experience but highlighted the need for physical interactions. Though the online studio was convenient, the students expressed the need for more interactive, stimulating, and efficient design discussions where the physical interaction would ease the division of tasks and the overall project management.