I believe that the
grading system for our college is corrupt. Instead of encouraging students to
focus on learning, it promotes an education that is focused on getting grades. Growing
up homeschooled, I understood that grades (seldom used) were to gauge what a
student did and did not know in order to efficiently learn unknown subjects. It
was not a category somebody was placed in, and it did not determine a person’s
intelligence. With that mindset, I propose that this project be graded on a non-points-based
rubric coupled with a professor-student relationship that encourages learning
and growth through re-submissions.
In order to grow, students
should be placed in an atmosphere that encourages messing up, getting back on
track, and performing better afterwards. With a non-points-based rubric, design
students will be able to explore their creativity without a fear of getting a
bad grade. Students would then meet with the professor to discuss where their
proficiency is within the project categories, and then resubmit their project
after deep consideration of the categories in which they need to grow.
Two reasons for a non-points-based
rubric for studio projects are as follows: 1) Design is subjective, and 2) the
working world is not graded. Many of my peers and people I know who are working
at firms all agree that project grades are too often negatively influenced by a
professor’s opinion (even though we are encouraged to develop our own style).
In regards to the working world, if you do not produce, then you are fired. If
you put in effort and work hard, then you will continue to have a job (assuming
economic stability).
The professor should
note each student’s work and progress in each of the following categories,
noting proficiency as “Improvement Needed,” “Meets Expectations,” and “Exceeds
Expectations.”
Time Management
-
Scheduling
in order to meet deadlines
o
Importance:
an architect always has deadlines he/she needs to meet.
Craftsmanship
-
Attention
to details
o
Importance:
An architect is successful when he designs in the details.
-
Moving
parts
o
Importance:
Understanding how the joints work reflects an understanding of the reality of
design.
-
Cleanness
of the final model
o
Importance:
Designs need to be portrayed beautifully to a client in order for it to sell.
Structural Stability
-
Solution
for weak joints
o
Importance:
On a much larger scale, weak joints could lead to drastic failures in a
building, causing waste of time and money, and sometimes leading to injuries or
deaths.
-
Understanding
of basic structural concepts taught in class
o
Importance:
Architects need to have a basic understanding of structure. Even though the
structural engineers will do the detailed calculations, the architect should
originally design with an approximation of required structures in order to
reduce changes in the future.
Teamwork
-
Communication with teammates
o
Importance:
Architects communicate with and are held responsible for all the people
involved in the building project.
-
Fulfillment
of assigned duties
o
Importance:
If you do not do your work, you might be fired.
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