Any digital substitute for the architectural classes?

[majid]

I need your attention please,
During the Covid-19 the education has migrate to digital world and this is the same story of the architectural schools. As all officially educated architects know, some of the classes at the very basic levels "MUST" be held in person, a face to face master-novice contact. I mean the courses like free-hand drawing, experiencing the materials, model making , etc...
The question is that if there could be a digital solution to be substitute? any digital replica? does anything exist? If no, how would you like to be?

[Mike Amos]

It's even worse than that in some areas with different specialties passing the buck so as to not treat patients. Post covid there is going to be a huge issue with conditions being allowed to progress without check. It's going to hurt the nhs no end.

[majid]

Thanks, Mike and Shawb.
So much sad news... . Here the situation is totally different. The shortage of COVID test kits especially in rural areas and social pressures and beliefs has led to erroneous official results. I personally believe that the deaths are much more than what is announced. On the other hand, as there is no lock-down and the bulk of people do not obey hygienic protocols such as social distancing and wearing masks, there is too much pressure on the health service section. due to the shortage of facilities, there are many that only receive advice and rest at home to recover and some die this way. As the burning must be held under defined protocols, some people prefer not to declare the death has been after COVID...this is also another reason for untrustable numbers. The bright side is that,all in all, I think as there is no lock-down the majority of the society is accepting the disaster as part of life and have adopted themselves with it.
Let's get back to my question. In fact, as a personal research question, I am going to weight both sides of the question: if there is a digital solution to convey the educational concepts and materials? If there is or there could be in feature, what are the cons and pros of such a solution? As Shawb mentioned, we humans are social animals so it seems that there could be heavy negative side effects.

[Mike Amos]

The use of a virtual presence has been done before and during the lockdown folk have STILL been video conferencing. Tomorrow I shall be attending a seminar on using Twinmotion for architecture and later in the year a seminar for one of our defence based universities. If we can adapt our use of technology we may well get by for a number of years and it might even become the new normal. Virtual classrooms might just be the future so we may as well get it right.

[shawb]

Totally agree with Mike Amos's writing on this. It seems that this is the way things are going. My observation is that without social interaction people are loosing the basics of self-control. What I see is people who cannot discuss or disagree but can only respond with aggression and anger. From behind a screen we cannot see the little clues of body language and facial expression that dictate how we react to other people. There is another world out there. it's all digital and I'm not too sure if it is going to be as good for us as we think it could be.

[Mike Amos]

Perhaps when we have these on line lessons it would be possible for the person talking (Asking a question or answering one) might be highlighted so that the two people conversing can be see on the screen. It might ensure that there is less interference during lectures etc.

[majid]

I think there is no doubt that the overall trend is towards digital communication.... the horrifying news also is rumored ..
https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-mu ... ink-2020-7
By the way, I wish we could have the same old fashioned face to face connection...

[dtrarch]

Majid
In the US the NCARB has sections for study for certification.
https://www.ncarb.org/pass-the-are
I am not sure of the cost for each section, but a start for you in any case.
One on one can be on the computer as well.

Good luck in your quest.

dtr Architect

[majid]

Considering the demand to cut the cost in one hand and the post-COVID world contemplations, do you think If VR could substitute the master-novice interaction in the very first year of the architecture courses at university?
Is there any school that has used these technologies already?

[Mike Amos]

Well I attended the seminar/webinar/waste of time. NOT impressed, a complete lack of cohesion and direction. To view a screen and listen to a (rambling) delivery while the deliverer cannot retain a single thread of thought but rambles back and forth is as much use as wet lettuce to replace sheet rock or bricks.

Another from (Hopefully) a different deliverer Wednesday. I hope they can improve.

[majid]

I guess some part of it has been because of tutor. But I agree, there would not be any synergy. There is a long long way for humans to be able to replace the physical first hand communication.