Group work in design education amid pandemic

Abstract

Group work has been used in design-related education programs to train students in handling the complexity of the design process in the built environment through co-operation. Education activities moved on-line when the COVID-19 pandemic started. Students have worked in groups remotely through digital platforms instead of face-to-face on campus. How did design education programs incorporating group work adapt to these changes during the pandemic, and how did the virtual environment influence the design process and outcomes of group work? This paper addresses these questions by examining two master education courses provided at the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology. It explores how the group work can be managed online with higher exploitation of digital tools helping interaction and data sharing among group members. The conclusions highlight the distinction between content development via on-line education (and how it can meet certain standards) and the communication dynamics during group work (for example how vocal remarks, separated from body language and shared context, can impact the quality and effectiveness of online group interactions). These findings underscore the importance of considering both aspects when developing group work for online education.