Web 2.0: Transforming the Delivery of Traditional Studio Courses

In February 2006, the newly-formed e-Learning Institute in the College of Arts and Architecture of The Pennsylvania State University faced a challenge: how to convert Introduction to Visual Studies, a studio-based course, into an online course.

This course teaches students how to identify creative elements, constructively critique artwork, and convey personal appreciation for various artistic styles through art making and writing. Students are required to submit multiple photographs of each assignment together with a written narrative discussing their inspiration, approach, course concepts applied, and intended meaning.

The single biggest problem identified in the course was that students used drop boxes for submitting assignments, peer critique, reading instructor feedback, and viewing grades. Accordingly, the Institute undertook the design and development of an application known as the Assignment Studio. The Studio was developed using a Web 2.0 application, Drupal, an open source content management platform, to allow students to upload text and images via an interface streamlining the submission process, peer critique, and faculty reviews. Additionally, numerous features were created to support instructors in the management of student work and grading.

Initial course design assessment, observation of student work, and dialog with the course instructors indicate that this combination of design elements is working very well to reach the course objectives. More importantly, it is clear that the Assignment Studio has applicability to a wide range of courses in the arts and design and would be suitable for deployment by many other universities. Further exploration of this application’s potential is underway.