ABSTRACT
The outcome of work on a QUT Teaching and Learning Small Grant is described and demonstrated. This comprises the development of a teaching and learning kit accessed off a computer CD-ROM. It can be used in a range of flexible delivery modes, from a graphic computer slide presentation by lectures, to an independent student navigated source of information—with the navigation routes determined by individual students’ current needs and preferences. Additionally, it is based on an approach to teaching architecture and design students which is more suited to their temperaments than standard linear text book methods. This relies on two ideas. The first is that designers usually understand visual or diagrammatic explanations better than mathematical ones. Every principle described therefore has a diagram (often animated) showing its implication on the form or fabric of buildings. The second idea, “hierarchical reductionism”, reverses the traditional sequence of teaching technology. It commences with a broad understanding of buildings’ climatic performance using simple qualitative generic building solutions to typical climatic types. These solutions are then used to lead into more in depth analyses of each aspect of the buildings’ performance. This is supported by hyperlinked hot spots on the diagrams, hot words in the text and a hierarchical map. The kit is implemented in Toolbook 3, which controls the hyperlinks and navigation.
