Towards Empowering Education: Design Students as Co-creators of Their Learning Environment
摘要
This paper explores the transformative impact of empowering students as co-creators of their learning environments through a case study conducted at the Department of Design at the Faculty of Architecture, Czech Technical University in Prague (FA CTU). Drawing on principles of cognitive psychology and constructivist educational theory, the study utilized design thinking methodologies to actively engage students in the redesign of workshop spaces. Through a comprehensive examination of project goals, methodology, participants, and outcomes, the study reveals multifaceted benefits, including enhanced student motivation, the cultivation of ownership and agency among students, enhanced educator-student collaboration, and tangible improvements in workshop functionality. Findings highlight the importance of student engagement in shaping learning environments, paving the way for ongoing discussions on modernizing design pedagogy and fostering a culture of empowerment and innovation in education.