KA4017 - Introduction to Technology 1

The module content will be delivered as a sequential programme of lectures supported by research led, participatory group seminars. Your independent learning will allow you to explore your own themes and interests, framed within the assignment outputs. Lectures will introduce exemplar case studies in order to encourage specific discussions within the supporting seminars. These seminars are a forum for delivery of focussed formative feedback to inform your personal learning journey.
To aid contextual understanding and critical appraisal, a wide range of visual material will be used to support the module content. As appropriate, other learning activities (e.g. building visits) will form part of the syllabus, and a comprehensive suite of learning materials will be provided via Blackboard. The synergies between this module and the concurrent studio design project will constructively inform your assignments in both modules.

Engagement in presentations and participation in group seminars, associated discussions and other learning activities are essential to your professional and academic development. Feedback on formative work will be offered in a variety of formats (e.g. verbal and visual) throughout the duration of the module. Written feedback will be provided at summative assessment points to help you reflect, develop and learn, feeding forward to practice and technology learning in Years 2 and 3. Self-directed learning and personal research will be essential skills to your success in the module and programme, with creative and exploratory development of assignment work being encouraged at this introductory stage. In addition to formal learning opportunities, there is an open-door policy, enabling further support to be accessed where necessary. Assignments, presentations, relevant associated module information and electronic reading lists will be uploaded to the eLearning Portal (Blackboard), so that you can access module content asynchronously to support your learning. Additionally, the university library offers further academic support through its extensive physical and on-line resources, including books, journals and professionally focused databases. Key guidance on developing academic study skills is also provided by the Ask4Help facility.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
KU 1: You will be able to identify, compare and apply environmental, structural and constructional principles employed in the design of buildings and interior spaces

KU 2: You will be able to describe and evaluate the impact of environmental factors, structural forces and material choices on the design and performance of building enclosures and interior environments

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
IPSA 1: You will be able to demonstrate skills and knowledge via relevant communications methods related to professional practice

IPSA 2: You will develop key academic study skills of research and practice in support of successful learning in Higher Education.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
PVA 1: You will identify and evaluate principles of environmental sustainability, human well-being, global stewardship, and health and safety with respect to the built and natural environment

Formative assessment for learning will provide advice and feedback on work in progress through formal and informal studio-based activities, with the aim of supporting learning and application of knowledge.


Summative assessment will be through the production of an annotated technical design exercise, covering all module learning outcomes (100%):
KU1, KU2, IPSA 1, IPSA 2, PVA1


Feedback will be offered in verbal, written and drawn form, which will provide advice for further development and a critical appraisal of their work and performance. Moderation of summative assessment will take place at the end of the module.

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This module introduces you to the holistic precepts and themes required for architectural practice and technology. You will explore the social, environmental, ethical and technological consequences and principles that inform the design and realisation of architecture and interior architecture projects. This Introductory knowledge will inform and contextualise your emerging design skills, and introduce design-oriented technical knowledge, creating opportunities for self-directed inquiry and the development of critical thinking at the outset of your studies of architecture and interior architecture. Assessment will develop your communications and critical thinking skills, and research led learning will encourage you to express emergent technical and practice-based knowledge. The content of this module will also inform the development of your design processes, and knowledge gained will be practically employed in your studio design projects.