What Non-Traditional Design Education Can Teach Us
July 26, 2004 | bengisu
Institutions of higher learning offer rich opportunities to explore the underlying concepts of design. However, these institutions do not necessarily expose students to ideas outside the mainstream curricula. This lack of innovation is partially due to the physical and administrative structures of large institutions, which inherently limit interdepartmental collaboration.
The Ecosa Institute, like many other small, non-traditional educational organizations, offers a more radical approach to learning. Our method--a total immersion program in sustainable design--rests on a belief that real innovation requires both unlimited freedom to experiment and the opportunity to take risks. As Albert Einstein said, "Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new."
It has been argued that programs that exist outside the academic system give institutions an excuse not to change existing programs. I believe this is erroneous. Large institutions cannot be all things to all students. Although they provide many things very well and have the resources to create an excellent learning environment, there are certain experiences for which the university is not equipped.
more: metropolismag.com/cda/story.php?artid=481 (44)
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