Pedagogy for a Plugged-in Age, Independent Study 2017

This is an independent study for Hladkyj\u27s graduate studies in Strategic Foresight and Innovation (MDes) at OCAD University. The study’s goal is to establish a “lay of the land” informing how technology and pedagogy might be designed in the Web Design Graduate Certificate program Hladkyj spearheaded at Sheridan College. The research consists of a literature review validated by primary sources, composed of four 30-minute, semi-structured expert interviews with college-level design educators, administrators, and students (both current and former). A modified, “human-centred” STEEP V (Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, Political, Values) framework provides context to the findings.The output is actionable and threefold: (1) High-level motivations / truths on which to base curriculum design principles, (2) Levers and tensions that designers must capitalize on in curriculum development, and (3) Initial “design dilemmas” or points of view that can spark reframing of digital pedagogy for a Major Research Project (MRP)

Teacherless: the Futures of Design Education

With the ever-growing disruption of education by technology and the trend toward self-directed and autonomous learning, how might we reimagine legacy postsecondary design education in a “teacherless” society? Through a human-centred examination of today’s educational environment, this Major Research Project (MRP) derives 20 aspirational motivations at the heart of an independent learning model. It reframes the disconnect between design academia and industry using an ’80s computer game and a Greek myth as fresh paradigms to uncover the value of strategic partnership, addictive learning, and platform-agnostic foundational training in preparing post-secondary design education for the future. This research offers four alternative worlds built around distinct sets of motivations and presents one in detail to illustrate a higher-value ecosystem of flexible locations, virtual spaces, and re-defined roles that empower tomorrow’s independent learner. Finally, a high-level road map outlines a stakeholder consultation and implementation plan (key activators, alliances, milestones, pitfalls, and metrics) to make this reimagined world a reality