Market research will identify student learning needs
TRADA has embarked on a long-term project to identify architectural and engineering students' needs for learning tools and educational support to enable them to understand the benefits of using timber in their designs.
The first stage of the project, now under way, is to contact heads of department and course leaders in universities and colleges which offer Architecture, Building Design and Civil Engineering degrees and to carry out in-depth interviews with selected departments.
Student representatives on relevant courses will be invited to take part in an online survey with several objectives, including:
To assess whether timber is included as part of the curriculum at present
To identify the requirements for timber input in terms of information required
To assess whether specialist lectures are needed and where these fit in to the curriculum
To assess what the best method of transfer of information students prefer.
Membership & Marketing Manager Rupert Scott said, ‘Since today's architecture and engineering students will be tomorrow's specifiers, we believe that this support will inspire individuals to choose timber products for construction throughout their careers. It will also encourage students to forge links with TRADA which can be maintained and developed throughout their working lives.'
TRADA's aim is to have a strategy and learning tools in place by the start of the 2010-2011 academic year. The initial market research will also assist in improving links with universities and identifying opportunities for collaborative research that will benefit members.
If you are in student education in a relevant field and wish to participate in the project or have ideas to contribute please email .
