ABSTRACT

A critical reflection on the PG Construction History course at the University of Edinburgh is made as the coursework (modelling of historical technical details) has taken a central role in the learning experience of the students. The variety of cases and modelling techniques, and engagement by the students are all reviewed as a learning environment of Making, exploring beyond the current reproduction of specific techniques and the discussion of their associated building culture for the assessment of the course through essays. The learning experience is acknowledged to be rich, which questions whether the syllabus, learning outcomes and activities (lectures and the associated workshops) need a re-focus to enable and properly assess a Making environment. The development of this learning experience and its relationship with current trends and definitions in the construction history discipline are further investigated showing potential strong pedagogical and practice links.