Self study for portfolio building: some MOOCs to consider
The most common skills built and knowledge gained in architectural practice are related to professional practice, project management, documentation, specification and conflict resolution. It's significantly more difficult to develop theoretical, conceptual and design skills in an architectural office or local government department, especially if you are employed at the level of professional draughtsperson or professional architectural technologist, unless you have an extremely dedicated and committed mentor.
The absence of adequate evidence of these skills and competencies often presents the biggest threat to mature students' entry into Higher Education through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process, even after many years of practice in the architectural industry.
When applying to enter Higher Education either straight from school or after some years in practice, you will be required to demonstrate basic design skills, conceptual and critical thinking and design theory. There are very few opportunities available in practice and by means of short courses or CPD offerings, to build these skills - especially for practitioners based in remote areas.
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCS) offer free online tuition that can be upgraded (paid for) to earn a certificate if needed. Evidence of learning gathered through a MOOC can be added to your design and theory portfolio. Engagement with the material and interaction with other participants through dialogue, can offer valuable learning experience. Through MOOCs you have access to some of the best Universities and experts globally.
Below I collated a number of MOOCs that offer learning opportunities for portfolio building in the field of design and theory of architecture, i.e. Futurelearn, EdX and Coursera. Some of these courses are self-paced which means that they are not linked to start and end dates, some are due to start soon and others have just recently started and you can still join. In some cases courses are archived and you will get access to some material. If you prefer not to go for the paid version, you may have limited access to material. Most courses are completely free and you only pay for the certificate*.
FUTURELEARN
Designing the Future
available on request - register your interest
Re-enacting the city - designing the human habitat
available on request - register your interestEDX
The architectural imagination
self-pacedA global history of Architecture
archivedModels in Architecture
starting 2 May 2017Future cities
self-pacedQuality of life: livability of Future Cities
self-pacedCOURSERA
Making Architecture
starting 8 May 2017Design Thinking for Innovation
starting date 24 April 2017 - audit only version is freeDesigning Cities
starting date 17 April 2017*You may ask how these courses can be offered for free. Without going into a lengthy explanation it would suffice to say that 'nothing in life is free'. Through MOOCs Universities gain valuable data on learning behaviour and they get exposure through marketing. If you're not sure what you're letting yourself in for, I suggest you read the conditions when signing up.
For more information on portfolio building, read blogpost of 17 March 2017.
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